Organizers of the Decatur District 1 Candidates Forum are seeking questions to pose to and topics of conversation to discuss with Greg Coleson and Scott Drake at this Saturday’s Forum and Meet & Greet. You can post your questions/topics below or email them to Junderscoret@gmail.com.
What would you like to hear discussed?
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I expect there will be plenty of direct questions on the hot topics of the day, but I would propose 4 high level, open-ended questions to help us establish their guiding perspectives on Decatur’s City Commission:
1) What do they each perceive as the role of Decatur’s City Government?
2) What do they perceive as the role of the city commissioners within that Government?
3) Based on what they know now, what would they define as their priorities as city commissioners?
4) Discuss City Commission action or decision that you would have opposed. Explain why you would have opposed it.
I know there are at least one or two more of you out there with some thoughts on the issues you want to hear discussed. Hit us with them here, or you can also email them to (please put “Commissioner Forum” in the subject if you do).
And, GO…
Another topic: How do you think the City Commission and the City School Board should communicate and work together? How would you make that happen?
I second At Home in Decatur’s question. I think collaboration betwee the city government and school system generally should be a topic for discussion.
I would also like to know how they would each evaluate different downtown development proposals. As the economy begins rebounding, we’re starting to see more and more development concepts move forward, potentially adding hundreds of living units downtown.
I would also like to know how much emphasis they put on supporting the city’s independent businesses.
Lastly, I’ve always felt that Decatur’s strongest asset was the city’s ability to forge a long-term vision and govern with near-consensus. I’d suggest asking how each candidate views the 10 year strategic plan and states how it would guide their decision making.
Thanks for organizing this forum!
Oh, I guess since these folks will actually represent a district within the city, here are a couple of district-specific questions you can throw at them.
1) How can the city do more to stop flooding from creedks and streams in this area of the city?
2) There is a proposed trail concept on the books, linking the former Westchester Elementary School to downtown, following a path along the Peavine Creek tributary. Are they familiar with this, and would they support it?
3) Do they have any other ideas for infrastructure/bike/pedestrian/development, etc in our section of the city?
I’m also interested in the Peavine Tributary crosstown path. Especially the part where it goes under Scott!
DHS Senior class project!
Is this a real thing??
Peavine Creek or the tunnel under Scott Blvd.?
Peavine Creek.
Yes, as far as I know. At least that’s what my neighbors called it when I lived behind Westchester School years ago.
Just Googled it (Maps). Yes, it shows it running right under Scott just west/south of Westchester. Appears to start as tributary of South Fork Peachtree Creek near Emory and run all the way to West Trinity.
Sorry, I meant the Senior Project!
Now that I know nothing about. Just my attempt at humor. However, road hazards aside, that would be one cool project for a bunch of energetic teenagers.
Slight correction. Peavine Creek ends near southern intersection of East & West Parkwood.
Thanks for the terrific questions!!! Tomorrow’s event should make for a wonderful opportunity to get some truly thoughtful responses from the candidates. Please, if y’all would, make sure that your neighbors without internet also know about the event.
I’ll drop them an email.
Did your offline emails work?!?
(I sure hope you’ll be there today! You make me smile! :0)
I couldn’t go. I live in Decatur-That-Isn’t-Decatur.
Postal Decatur
Lord, I hate entering my zip code into the sex offender online search engine. On the plus side, the Walmart here was a total non-issue.
That is sad for a LOT of reasons. 30030 isn’t much better!
Oh darlin’, I just love a rascal from the wrong side of the town. Next time you mosey right on in and sit by me! :0)
So, did anybody show up for the candidate’s forum? How’d it go?
I think it went well. But you can judge for yourself. There’s a video up that you should be able to access through the facebook event page. You may have to crank up the volume to hear the questions and answers, or you can simply judge the candidates on their looks:
https://www.facebook.com/events/319830978140477/?fref=ts
Well now, the candidates are both cutie pies, but you really should check out their takes on things before picking your winner! :0)
I was so pleased with how the event went– very nice turnout on a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon, two candidates who are sincerely interested in serving as commissioner, and a super enjoyable meet & greet with an enthused crowd of folks. Really, we couldn’t have asked for better! But we can ask for more: DM, is it possible that we can pick up on some of the forum topics for further discussion? (I know today turned out to be a restaurants themed day, but there was so much positive energy buzzing around on Saturday, it’d be terrific if we could keep the community conversations going.)
* One correction: The candidates are doing a couple of other appearancestogether with HOA/neighborhood associations. (A change from when we initially made the arrangements.) If you have an opportunity to attend, do!
There’s also video at the Patch.
It’s the same video. I didn’t realize earlier that Patch had also posted it.