Atlanta Progressive News

(APN) ATLANTA — In our continuing coverage of the 2009 Atlanta Mayoral race, we sent a questionnaire to candidate Jesse Spikes. So far we have published interviews with Mayoral candidates Lisa Borders, Mary Norwood, Kasim Reed, Glenn Thomas, and Ceasar Mitchell (before he moved into the Council President race). This will conclude our series of interviews with Mayoral candidates.

Stay tuned for more interviews with City Council candidates.

HOW CAN WE INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN ATLANTA?

A Spikes Administration will seek to turn the current economic downturn in the real estate market into an advantage for the real estate developers, current property owners and citizens in need of affordable housing. The city’s revenues are impacted by a glut of foreclosed or vacant properties. We will explore ways to provide incentives to property owners and real estate developers who are willing to collaborate with the city to provide affordable housing to those residents in need. This is win-win collaboration. Property owners will benefit by keeping vacant properties from slipping into disrepair and residents in need of affordable housing will benefit by having a place to call home they can afford to stay in. A few examples of potential areas of collaboration are rent-to-own programs, partnering with programs such as Habitat for Humanity and other programs that teach residents about planning and budgeting.

Another area where affordable housing can be created is in the strict enforcement of our property codes. Oftentimes, absentee landlords allow their properties to become havens for crime by allowing them to be abandoned, boarded up homes or vacant, overgrown lots. In a Spikes Administration, we will enforce the code by ensuring fully staffed code enforcement officers to cover the amount of cases that exist in the city. We will keep these properties up to code and place liens on the properties for the cost of bringing them to code. The city will take ownership of all properties that result in a default of the lien and offer them as affordable housing opportunities to the community. In addition, we will communicate with absentee owners who we are able to contact to encourage them to donate their vacant property to the city to be used in our affordable housing stock to be made available to citizens in need of affordable housing. This strategy will require the full participation of the communities where the properties exist. The Spikes Administration will partner with communities to restore a sense of community and a respect for each other and our property.

There are significant shortages of affordable housing within major urban cities across the country including Atlanta. We must be creative about how we tackle this issue and explore additional public/private collaborations which will assist in providing more adequate housing for our citizens. Everyone has a basic right to affordable housing and we must do better!

How do you define affordable housing?

“Affordable housing is a term used to describe dwelling units whose total housing costs are deemed “affordable” to those who have a median income (approximately 50-70k). Although the term is often applied to rental housing that is within the financial range of those in the lower income spectrum of a geographical area, the concept is applicable to both renters and purchasers in all income ranges. Because of supply and demand, the most “affordable” housing is where there is the least demand relative to supply. When the supply of available housing is less than the demand, low and moderate income households often struggle to obtain housing that is affordable. In these housing markets, rising land values often outpace rising incomes. Such housing markets often have a limited supply of residential land, or a number of regulations that make it difficult or costly to increase housing supply at rents affordable to consumers at income ranges below the local average.

DO YOU THINK CRIME IN ATLANTA IS A PROBLEM AND HOW WOULD YOU TACKLE THE ISSUE?

YES, crime is a growing problem, especially in our troubled economy. As mayor, public safety will be issue #1. Public safety has several components: police and fire protection; emergency preparedness; and emergency medical services. First and foremost, we must make sure every component of public safety is staffed at levels are will allow our city to be served effectively. Furloughs of firefighters and police officers must end. Then, we must determine the number needed to serve Atlanta’s population and fund these components at full levels.

My approach is multi-pronged and designed to address root causes and the negative consequences of crime. A major contributor is poverty. My administration will implement programs designed to strengthen families, especially single parent households, encourage economic development and entrepreneurship, and establish a comprehensive mentoring program targeting at-risk African American males with a greater chance of going to jail than college. My administration will increase manpower for neighborhood foot and bicycle patrols, while encouraging residents to take active roles in neighborhood watch and community policing.

WOULD YOU CONTINUE MAYOR FRANKLIN’S TEN YEAR PLAN TO END HOMELESSNESS OR TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO THE ISSUE?

I will conduct a full review of current administration’s “Blueprint to End Chronic Homelessness in Atlanta in 10 years” for effectiveness. Those components with demonstrated success will remain and others may be added or modified. However, the reality is homelessness has no specific face. While we have chronic homeless who may face mental challenges; we have the new homeless-those who have lost their homes and valuables due to the economy, while still others have been financially devastated by an unexpected illness. Today’s homeless are senior executives, college graduates, working men and women who do not earn a living wage and cannot find an affordable place to live, the working poor. My approach would be one of collaboration. This issue is too big to be answered in a silo. We must convene the various social service outlets in the city, partner with other agencies and appeal to the business community to help provide immediate and long-range help.

I am particularly concerned with the recent issue of the city’s action to turn off the water of the Task Force for the Homeless on one of the hottest days of the year. My administration will deal with issues such as this with compassion and understanding. We certainly do not agree with the actions taken against the most venerable in our society. I can assure you that action would not occur in a Spikes Administration. Instead, we would appeal to the citizens of this city, especially those who are blessed and have more than enough, as well as our business community to come together to help alleviate the suffering. Homelessness affects all of us, in one form or another and it will take all of us working together to have a real impact on homelessness…

Would you reinstate a funding recommendation for the Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, which Mayor Franklin rescinded?

Recently, I visited and took a tour of the Task Force for the Homeless and was amazed at the work they are doing there and their plans for expansion. Funding will be restored in a Spikes Administration. The homeless issue it too large for us to eliminate an effective program that is doing so much to provide a chance, an opportunity, a place to sleep for the night for those who have no place else to go. I learned that at any given night, they provide beds for a little shy of 500 people. There is no place in Atlanta that could absorb these numbers. Quite the contrary, we need more space not less. So, it would be tragic for the Task Force for the Homeless to close. I commit to you that politics will not play a role in the decision in a Spikes administration. Because Mayor Franklin overturned the certification given to The Task force, they lost federal funding. They are now suffering financially. I would examine immediate ways to find funding and help the Task Force continue to help serve those most in need.

HOW CAN YOU MAKE SURE THE ATLANTA BUDGET DOES NOT FACE SO MANY SHORTFALLS?

Fiscal responsibility is a top priority because efficient operations and city services are all contingent upon a sound financial foundation. As Mayor, my first priority will be to get our financial house in order and restore the city’s bond rating. My plan is simple: I will concentrate on the basics of sound financial planning, budgeting and accountability. That starts with a competent, independent Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who is a CPA.

The CFO will be directed to conduct quarterly audits of the city’s financial records to avoid any surprises or late discoveries of budget shortfalls or mismanagement. In addition, accounting systems and mechanisms will be upgraded to take advantage of new technology.

Each department will receive a top to bottom review that will include their budgeting and spending patterns, how staff is deployed and their effectiveness in implementing the department’s core functions, as well as the public’s perception of their service delivery. All waste and duplication will be eliminated.

I believe there is money in the system to be saved and that represents resources in the system that can be reallocated. I will seek new sources of revenue wherever possible, including fostering a better relationship with state and federal governments. In addition, I will collaborate with local jurisdictions to explore cost-saving opportunities where duplication of service deliveries exists. Once we have exhausted all new sources of revenue, we must learn to do more with less. We must adapt to the changing dynamics in our economic system.

Much of my 30- plus year career has been as an international business lawyer negotiating highly complicated financial contracts between companies, municipalities, regions and governments. I am skilled an examining financial statements and understanding complex budgets and meeting payrolls.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR MANAGERIAL STYLE, A STRONG EXECUTIVE LIKE FRANKLIN OR A BALANCED WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL?

Atlanta needs a Mayor who will change the game, not just weather the storm. We cannot continue to conduct “business as usual.” As Mayor, I will have the courage and vision to find opportunities in the mist of crisis and move our city forward. I will hire the best minds available for every aspect of city government and I will encourage them to be innovative and think outside the box in order to deliver the type of services our citizens deserve. We must have a cooperative form of government which will allow for an open door policy which will enable city employees to have open dialog while striving to achieve a quality of excellence while addressing key issues. I will work with City Council, city employees and all citizens to encourage dialog while seeking to find solutions to our pressing issues.

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE THE BUDGET PROCESS MORE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC AND THE CITY COUNCIL?

The budget process, as with every aspect of my administration will be transparent. Discussions and negotiations of the budget will be done in an open, inclusive fashion. We will place the information on the city’s website for all of its citizens to see what is going on and where their tax dollars are being spent. The budget is the people’s money and the people should know what is being done with their money. There will be no surprise discovery of massive budget shortfalls in a Spikes administration. I commit to Atlanta taxpayers that they will get the most efficient, quality basic services our money can buy.

APN RAISED SEVERAL CONCERNS ABOUT THE ATLANTA HOUSING AUTHORITY’S MASS DEMOLITION OF PUBLIC HOUSING, INCLUDING ISSUES OF RESIDENT INPUT, THE AVAILABILITY AND LOCATION OF VOUCHER HOUSING, AND AHA’S CLAIMS ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF ITS BUILDINGS. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE CONCERNS APN HAS RAISED ABOUT AHA’S POLICY? ALSO, WOULD YOU HAVE SIGNED OFF ON THE DEMOLITION APPLICATION THE WAY MAYOR FRANKLIN DID?

I cannot say whether I would have signed off on the demolition application, not having the full scope of the various factors involving the current administration, but what I will say that one of my requirements would have been all the residents in the public housing communities have a confirmed place to live before I would approve total demolition. The demolition of all public housing not only contributed to the city’s homeless population, it may have contributed to its crime rate. Desperate people oftentimes resort to desperate measures to survive.

I can firmly say public safety would be one of the biggest factors I would consider, well as looking at alternative housing for the residents in terms of affordability, transportation and gentrification.

Atlanta built the nation’s first housing projects in 1936- Techwood Homes. By next June all of the city’s housing projects will be torn down. It’s been a controversial and divisive issue for residents and seniors who –for bad or good have called many of these communities home for generations. Whether it’s Section 8 or a voucher program, residents should have pride and take ownership in their communities. They deserve to live in a stable, safe environment as every other resident of Atlanta. Private business and developers should not be the only ones who benefit.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF THE BELTLINE?

I think the Beltline is a wonderful project in many ways. It will not only improve transportation in and around the city, but would add green space and promote development in neighborhoods. New urban rail systems are important ways to bring back vitality to our neighborhoods. There is still a question of whether or not we can afford it, but I believe the long-term benefits to the city will be immeasurable.

Is the BeltLine vision equitable for everyone?

As Mayor, I will insist on equalization as it relates to development to ensure all sectors of the city benefit from the economic growth it will spur. So under a Spikes Administration, the answer is yes, it will be equitable for everyone. The Beltline can provide the mechanism for small business owners to invest in their communities and create easy, accessible places where people can meet, where both children and elderly feel safe.

Do you have plans to ensure that future Tax Allocation District (TAD) bond proceeds are invested in the three other quadrants of the project? Some complain that the first TAD bond proceeds from fall 2008 went exclusively into the Northeast quadrant.

Yes, there must be parity in the prosperity. All of our citizens must share in the benefits of the TAD bond proceeds. There must be parity across the board in the distribution of these investments. Again, as Mayor, I will insist there are measures in place so that TAD bond proceeds are invested in the three other quadrants of the project.

IS THERE ANYTHING MORE THE CITY CAN DO TO HELP MARTA?
As Mayor, I would work with Dr. Beverly Scott and utilize some of our in-city experts on the university level to help examine how better to utilize current and future resources for our interconnected public transit system. I would also use my position as Mayor to speak on behalf of the city to implore state lawmakers to allow MARTA to use its surplus capital funds to finance its operational budget. It’s currently using stimulus funding, but it’s obviously an issue that will get worse before it gets better.

MARTA is the “connector” for our urban transportation system in the city of Atlanta and outlying areas. Thousands rely on this service every day. We must find solutions to the issues facing MARTA and we can do so. Recently, MARTA has had to cut services and raise its fares, and there remain many challenges to its funding.

With that said my first priority as mayor will be to give my full attention to the things I have direct power to influence and change. Those things are first and foremost: getting our financial house in order, making sure our neighborhoods and business districts are safe, and the citizens of Atlanta are getting the best value for their tax dollars – meaning they are receiving quality, competent and efficient services. To accomplish this will require an enormous about of my time, energy and focus. The city cannot play a leading role in other metropolitan and regional issues until our own house is in order. Once we have a firm handle on our pressing needs, certainly, I will use the power of the mayor’s office to collaborate with neighboring governments and private industries on all issues that also have a direct impact on our citizens — Marta being a prime example. We cannot lead the way for others if our own house is falling apart.

DO YOU SUPPORT CASINO GAMING AT UNDERGROUND ATLANTA?

Georgia State has invested a great deal in our city and in downtown Atlanta. We need to ensure what we invest in is consistent with what’s already there, the investment by Georgia State University, and must include dialog with the University leadership. We need to explore all options for the reinvigoration of Underground Atlanta and weigh the pros and cons of gaming facilities in our city.

About the author:

Matthew Cardinale is the News Editor for The Atlanta Progressive News and is reachable at matthew@atlantaprogressivenews.com.

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