Community activist elected Lithonia mayor
by Andy Phelan
andy@dekalbchamp.com
Sheppard-McKibben |
Community activist and resource center CEO Joyce Sheppard-McKibben was elected mayor of Lithonia after provisional ballots counted Nov. 8 made it official.
Sheppard-McKibben led Rhonda Peek by just one vote after the Nov. 6 election, but won 76-74 with the addition of provisional votes.
Peek had the county conduct a recount, but county Voter Registration and Elections officials confirmed Nov. 15 that Sheppard-McKibben won. Incumbent Darold Honore’ came in a distant third with 55 votes, just one more than long-time councilman Jackie Harbin’s 54. Honore’ served one four-year term.
Sheppard-McKibben, 51, who runs The Repertoire, a community resource center in downtown Lithonia, said she’s ready for the challenge.
One of the first things she will do as Lithonia’s leader is conduct an audit of city government, she said.
“I’m going to request that the state conduct a forensic audit down to the penny,” she said. Sheppard-McKibben said her resource center was awarded a state grant procured by state Sen. Ronald Ramsey [D-Lithonia] last year but was unable to receive it because Honore’ and the city council never completed an independent audit of city government as required by state law.
Sheppard-McKibben will also begin what she calls her CPR plan for the city–City Planning and Redevelopment.
“I’m excited,” said Sheppard-McKibben, who will be sworn in early January. “It’s time to put the people to work, engaging the citizens and involving the community. It’s time for a new city and a new system.”
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