Local elections that take place without federal or state contests on the ballot rarely attract large numbers of voters, a political science professor at Emory University said. But next week, residents will have opportunities to hear directly from runoff candidates in races spanning Atlanta, South Fulton and Sandy Springs, as contenders participate in candidate forums […]
Tag: Atlanta City Council
Posted inMaria's Metro
Biography of former U.S. Sen. Wyche Fowler offers lessons for today
One could spend all day listening to Wyche Fowler recount tales of his colorful life in and out of Atlanta, Washington, D.C. and Saudi Arabia. Fowler’s political and diplomatic career has spanned decades, starting with the civil rights era in Atlanta and the nation’s capital. Now, there’s a biography that chronicles his life, focusing primarily […]
Posted inColumns
Enough already! We need to preserve our city’s trees
It is maddening to be a tree lover in Atlanta. Everyone in leadership claims to want to protect Atlanta’s trees. But when it comes time to take a stand and actually pass a new tree protection ordinance, leaders respond by delaying or diluting a proposed tree ordinance. This is not new. Since 2014, Atlanta has […]
Posted inColumns
Atlanta City Council approves Amsterdam Walk project
Atlanta City Council approved the redevelopment of Amsterdam Walk on Monday. It’s a decision that goes against the wishes of nearby residents and several neighborhood organizations. The council voted 8-6 in favor of the project, which will transform the shopping center into a large-scale mixed-use development with 1,100 housing units and roughly 1,400 parking spaces. […]
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Neighbors opposed to Amsterdam Walk project are primed for City Council meeting
Residents near Amsterdam Walk say they’re prepared to speak out against a large-scale redevelopment project during Monday’s Atlanta City Council meeting. While public comment rules limit what they can say, they plan to make their concerns clear, warning that the proposed redevelopment plans by Portman Holdings are too large for the surrounding neighborhood and would […]
Posted inDelaney Tarr
Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi will resign in July to lead Galloway School
In an email shared Thursday afternoon, District 2 Atlanta City Councilmember Amir Farokhi announced he would resign from his position in July to serve as the next head of Buckhead’s The Galloway School. Farokhi’s move opens up the council seat ahead of the November 2025 election, when the mayor and all 16 council seats will […]
Posted inColumns
Sorority chapter receives proclamation celebrating 100 years of service to ATL
On January 22, a sea of red flooded the city hall as members of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority entered for a special occasion. Post 1 At Large Councilman Michael Julian Bond presented the members with a proclamation at the city council meeting. It was recognizing the chapter’s century-long contributions to […]
Posted inLatest News
Doug Shipman seeks balance with his picks for Atlanta City Council leaders
Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman carefully selected his 2024 committee assignments, making sure to rotate leadership among various city council members.
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta City Council committee members for 2024 are named
The Atlanta City Council committee chairs and members for 2024 have been named. City Council President Doug Shipman makes the appointments, which he announced on Dec. 4. The committees are sub-groups of the council where legislation and policies typically get the most in-depth discussion. “My goal, as it has always been, is to assure the […]
Posted inColumns
MARTA’s CFO Raj Srinath leaves at a crucial time for transit agency
The departure of MARTA’s chief financial officer, Raj Srinath, is being viewed as Atlanta’s loss and Jacksonville’s gain.
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City Council member may seek to put training center on the ballot, break referendum stalemate
An Atlanta City Council member may introduce a resolution to put the public safety training center on the ballot, pending City attorneys’ advice — a move that could cut through a legal stalemate over the “Vote to Stop Cop City” effort. District 5 City Councilmember Liliana Bakhtiari is “considering introducing legislation on Monday” to put […]
Posted inColumns
Healing the divide: Matt Westmoreland and Liliana Bakhtiari offer hope
The plans for a new public safety training center have polarized Atlanta into two camps – those for and those against. That was evident during a confrontational Atlanta City Council meeting that began at 1 p.m. June 12 and lasted for nearly 17 hours with an overwhelming number of speakers passionately arguing against what they have labeled as “cop city.”
Posted inLatest News
Training center funding ordinance continues errors and mysteries, may run afoul of state laws
The Atlanta City Council’s controversial legislation funding a new public safety training center repeats errors about green space, leaves unanswered questions about the center’s features, and has elements that may run afoul of two state laws — one on spending and another attempting to limit the facility’s size. Key City officials did not respond to […]
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‘More MARTA’ audit confirmed as City Council presses for women/minority business program
The Atlanta City Council wins “More MARTA” audit battle, seeks a women/minority business program.
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MARTA now open to sales-tax program audit demanded by Atlanta City Council
MARTA leadership now says it will “capitulate” and make the council “satisfied.”
Posted inLatest News
MARTA and City Council spar over sales-tax audit; former transit official sides with City
A war of words has erupted between MARTA and the Atlanta City Council as councilmembers are demanding an audit of the largely stalled “More MARTA” expansion program and the transit agency says the politicians should “get out of the way.”
Posted inLatest News
MARTA priority project list coming soon, says transit agency head under City Council grilling
By John Ruch Grilled by an Atlanta City Council committee worried about abrupt changes and lack of communication on Jan. 25, MARTA’s chief pledged a priority list of new transit projects is coming soon and strongly hinted what some may be. MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood also told the council’s Transportation Committee that the Atlanta […]
Posted inLatest News
Doug Shipman names three new Atlanta City Council committee chairs
By Maria Saporta Nuanced leadership changes on the Atlanta City Council were announced Monday by Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman. The major power of the president of the Atlanta City Council is being able to name the chairs of council committees and appoint the members to each of the committees. In an embargoed interview […]
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Atlanta City Council to hold redistricting hearings amid pressure for public input
The Atlanta City Council has scheduled two hearings Sept. 29 for its redistricting amid pressure for more public input.
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Atlanta City Council may request ‘best practices’ reforms for NPU system
The Atlanta City Council is considering a call to establish “best practices” for the Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) system’s input and transparency in the latest reform rumblings.
