Those seeking DeKalb CEO spot square off at well-attended forum
by Chari Sutherland
Five candidates for DeKalb CEO explored community issues during a political forum on June 5 at DeKalb Technical College in Clarkston. The audience surpassed the expected 250 attendees, reaching close to 350.
Candidates participating in the forum were Joe Bembry; county Commissioner Burrell Ellis; former state Sen. Steen Miles; state Rep. Stan Watson; and Ann Kimbrough, who is chief of staff to the current CEO.
The forum was sponsored by Partners for DeKalb. Cynthia Tucker, Pulitzer-winning journalist at the Atlanta-Journal Constitution, moderated.
Questions covered economic development, funding Grady Hospital and MARTA, Dunwoody incorporation, public safety, transportation, the water shortage and the structure of the CEO’s office. The first question, however, was “What makes you the best candidate for CEO?”
Miles said she’s seeing DeKalb’s quality of life diminishing and wants to restore it. Watson promised to be a CEO who is less a manager and more of a leader. Kimbrough and Ellis both said they would keep public safety a priority. Ellis also wants to push for government audits so DeKalb residents will know where their tax dollars are going.
On economic development, Miles, Kimbrough and Ellis agreed tax incentives are needed to draw businesses to DeKalb. Watson stressed that a key part of enticing businesses is making sure the school system is doing well.
To address the water shortage, transportation and population growth, all the candidates agreed these problems are best fought regionally. They all felt DeKalb has not been well-represented in these matters. Ellis, Miles and Kimbrough all vowed to attend regional meetings such as those held by the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Four of the five candidates agreed, in theory, with Senate Bill 52, which changes the power of the CEO. Kimbrough said the bill is flawed. “There’s nothing wrong with our form of government. It has been very effective.”
Watson said the changes will allow more checks and balances, but he’s concerned too much power may have been given to the commissioners. “The caveat is this: I don’t know if the legislature has taken an 800-pound gorilla out of the CEO’s office and placed it in the hands of our presiding commissioners.”
Miles said she welcomes the bill. “I think it’s going to be a great first step in ending some of the rancor that we have between the CEO’s office and the county commission.” She said the CEO and the commissioners ought to collaborate on the agenda but ultimately the county commissioners should run their own meetings.
Ellis agreed saying there had been many times he and fellow commissioners had to fight to get items on the agenda such as audits that would have caught millions of dollars in overspending. He remains concerned that SB 52 doesn’t do quite enough. “It continues to allow the CEO to break tie votes. I don’t know how that will happen if he’s presiding the meeting.”
Passionate levels were reached when discussing ways to persuade Cobb and Gwinnett counties to pay the MARTA tax and contribute funding to Grady Hospital.
Kimbrough said, “The state has to make sure other counties invest in Grady.” Watson suggested the business community “is the engine that will run Grady” if they can be enticed to invest in it. Ellis focused on Medicaid. “If you want to fix Grady, you’ve got to fix Medicaid. We’ve got to say to our Congress and our General Assembly here in Georgia ‘adjust the Medicaid reimbursement rate.’”
Dunwoody incorporation was another topic that ignited impassioned responses. Candidates Kimbrough and Bembry both voiced concern that unincorporated DeKalb will suffer if Dunwoody incorporates. Bembry also stated it’s likely that talks of incorporation will dissipate once a new CEO is in place.
Miles said she attended the last Dunwoody meeting on incorporation and found the city’s concerns were no different from any other city in DeKalb. She is concerned more isn’t being done to dialogue with Dunwoody citizens about their grievances.
Ellis wants more clarity on the economic impact of Dunwoody incorporating, saying there have been contradictory figures.
Characteristic of most election years, all candidates agreed more police officers are needed to combat crime. Miles and Watson agreed on working with the school system to create prevention programs. Watson went further, saying police funding might be aided by asking businesses for help.
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