ATAC Founder Announces Mayoral Bid
Atlantans Together Against Crime (ATAC) founder Kyle Keyser announced Tuesday in an open letter that he is running for mayor of Atlanta.
Here’s what he said:
Over the past two weeks, as the mayoral race has heated up and I continue to talk with residents from across the city, I’ve struggled with the decision to enter my name or not. I deeply care about what is happening in our city. This has raised my sensitivity to the failed promises of previous, established politicians. It’s also heightened my awareness to the ideas and platforms of current candidates and their plans to see Atlanta at its full potential.
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.
At most, I’ll be able to set the vision, bring in the talent, create unprecedented transparency, and let the City answer to one special interest: the community.
Keyser says he needs $4,425 by Noon on Sept. 4 when he plans to qualify at City Hall and is asking for small donations on his campaign Web site.
Keyser formed ATAC earlier this year after a rash of violent crimes shook the city, including the murder of Standard bartender John Henderson in January and Keyser’s own brush with crime in December.