Emory Marketing Specialist Nicole Anderson invites the entire DM community to attend a Atlanta mayoral candidates debate at Emory University on Wednesday, Oct 14th at 7pm “under the leafy trees of Emory Glenn Memorial Chapel (1660 North Decatur Road, 30322).”

Here’s the note…

As the City of Atlanta drives economic development for the entire metro region and Georgia, it’s important for Emory and our surrounding communities to get to know the candidates who want to take the helm and lead the city for the next four years.

You and your readers from DecaturMetro are invited to come watch the debate unfold as the top candidates take the podium to state their case. Though you may not be voting in the election, this office certainly has a regional impact that is important to Atlanta’s neighbors. The forum will be moderated by Fox-5 anchor Russ Spencer and young alum & New York Times reporter Robbie Brown (Class of 2007).

Confirmed candidates include:

· Lisa Borders, city council president

· Peter Brownlowe, former Atlanta police officer

· Kyle Keyser, founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime

· Mary Norwood, city councilwoman

· Kasim Reed, state senator

· Jesse Spikes, attorney

This event is sponsored by Emory’s Office of Government Affairs, Emory’s Center for Ethics, the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County, and the Clifton Community Partnership

All the major candidates a Fox5 anchor and a NY Times reporter?  Should be a good’un!

Kyle Keyser, the 35 year-old co-founder of Atlantans Together Against Crime, which was founded in the wake of the John Henderson murder, entered the mayor’s race yesterday.

In a statement on kylekeyserformayor.com, Kyle explains his reasoning for jumping in…

I believe all the current candidates are talented and care about the City. Still, at my core, I can’t bring myself to fully sign over to any of them. Like a Kirkwood resident I recently spoke with, I ask “how can I simply ‘roll the dice’ when the City’s needs are so dire?”

This question has compelled me to step up. Having my name on the ballot, at a minimum, can be a reminder to every candidate that all of us mean business… and there are alternatives. As they continue to campaign and ultimately go in and vote for themselves on election day, let them see my name next to theirs. Let them be reminded of the thousands of Atlantans who have joined together – from East Atlanta to West End and Boulevard Heights to Midtown – to say:

Enough is enough. We deserve a safe, functional, and well-managed city.

Grift calls Kyle’s run an “advocacy candidacy” and gives him 200-1 odds.  Kyle needs $4,425 to qualify.  You can donate over on the website.