(APN) ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta failed to produce documents in response to a Georgia Open Records Act request by the present reporter to the Department of Watershed Management in 2015. The City of Atlanta employee who initially received the request, Lillian Govus, is part of a separate Open Records Act violation incident that is currently being investigated […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp has settled with Stacey Hopkins, a Fulton County voter who last year, in 2017, was threatened with removal from the voter rolls after she moved from one address to another within Fulton County. The settlement, reached January 31, 2018, preserves the “Active” voter registration status of an estimated class of […]
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With additional reporting by Gloria Tatum. (APN) ATLANTA — For at least the last nine years, the City of Atlanta has continued to arrest people for violating seven laws contained in Chapter 106 (“Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions”) that have the actual or potential effect of criminalizing homelessness, Atlanta Progressive News has learned. For some of the ordinances it […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Georgia’s antiquated and oppressive ballot access laws–which set highly burdensome petition requirements for independent and minor party ballot candidates to get on the ballot in Georgia–are facing a legal challenge again, as advocates for voter choice continue to chip away at Georgia’s two party monopoly. While minor party and independent candidates continue to appeal to voters […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Councilman Michael Julian Bond (Post 1-at-large) engaged in oratory fireworks at the first Full Council Meeting of the new term of 2018, on Tuesday, January 02, 2018. As the newly sworn Council President, Moore sought to remedy a long-standing problem of Councilmembers having side conversations on the floor during […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta Progressive News has updated its comprehensive Atlanta City Council Scorecard on today, December 17, 2017. SCORECARD: http://bit.ly/2ixKV6s In this update, we added seven new legislative items to the Scorecard, which now scores a total of 69 votes on passage of legislation, other motions related to legislation, or other actions that are legislative in nature, […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — In a stunning defeat of the political establishment at Atlanta City Hall, Councilwoman Felicia Moore (District 9) was elected City Council President, on Tuesday, December 05, 2017. Moore–who is well known for opposing Mayor Kasim Reed and often being the only “no” vote on Council–won 55 percent, or 46,512 votes in the Run-off Election. Councilman Alex […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The City of Atlanta has adopted two Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) ordinances – one for the Beltline Overlay District and one for the Westside. The City Council unanimously approved the ordinances on Monday, November 20, 2017. While the term “Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning” might sound technical, it is actually quite significant news. Put simply, it is a requirement […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Pamm Burdett, the Executive Director of the Lloyd E. Russell Foundation, passed away on November 17, 2017. As the Director of the Lloyd E. Russell Foundation (LER), Burdett quietly made strategic investments to support the LGBTQI community, the BDSM leather community, and the progressive community in general. Lloyd Russell, was a media activist in the […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The Atlanta Progressive News Board of Directors has endorsed Mary Norwood for Mayor, Felicia Moore for City Council President, and Jason Dozier for District 4. MARY NORWOOD FOR MAYOR OF ATLANTA Previously, prior to the General Election, APN endorsed former State Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) for Mayor of Atlanta, and rated Norwood “qualified.” http://atlantaprogressivenews.com/2017/10/08/apn-endorses-fort-finds-norwood-favorable-endorses-bond/ […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Ann Melissa Firestone, 79, a senior advocate who was well-known in Atlanta’s civil engagement community, passed away on April 10, 2017. In Firestone’s honor, the City Council of Atlanta adopted an ordinance, 17-O-1246, on May 24, 2017, to create a crosswalk outside of the Cosby Spear highrise. On October 30, 2017, the Melissa Firestone Crosswalk […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Several new Councilmembers will shape the City Council of Atlanta that will convene in 2018. This is the largest turnover in eight years, when in 2010, six new Councilmembers joined the Atlanta City Council. In 2018, there will either be seven or eight new Councilmembers, the number depending on whether Cleta Winslow (District 4) is […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — The new makeup of the 2018-2021 Atlanta City Council is beginning to take shape, as voters reelected several incumbents and selected Councilmembers for open seats. The incumbents returning to Council are Carla Smith (District 1), Ivory Lee Young (District 3), Natalyn Archibong (District 5), Howard Shook (District 7), Joyce Sheperd (District 12), Michael Julian Bond (Post […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — At the last Full Council Meeting on October 16, 2017, Atlanta City Councilman Michael Julian Bond (Post 1-at-large) introduced an ordinance, 17-O-1674, that would codify the right of members of the public to make at least one minute of public remarks at every Work Session held by one or more committees of the Atlanta City Council. […]
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(APN) ATLANTA — Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell is running for Mayor of Atlanta, but his track record as Council President does not inspire much confidence. This news analysis reviews a wide array of concerns regarding Mr. Mitchell, including concerns regarding his performance as Council President; and his many repeated ethics violations. Previously, Atlanta Progressive News […]
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