SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — Voters in metro Atlanta will hit the polls for Election Day Tuesday to decide county and local races. That includes four of the seven council seats in the City of South Fulton. Districts 1, 3, 5, and 7 all have two to three candidates each, including the incumbents, running for office.
11Alive sat down Monday with two of the three candidates running in District 5. They said the main things they want to improve are crime and other quality-of-life issues, as well as restore trust in city government.
Councilman Corey A. Reeves currently serves in District 5. He sent the following statement about his priorities:
- Continuation of work trade force in Electrical, Cyber Security and HVAC in partnership with North Atlanta Labor Union and Georgia Power.
- Reintroducing the National Safety Plan to reduce crime across the city.
- Continue to promote quality & family entertainment and programing through arts, live performances and sports.
- Camelot: I am in the process of developing a presentation to transform Camelot into the City of South Fulton City Hall Complex by collecting feedback from residents and reviewing data and grant funding.
What makes District 5 unique is many economic and social concerns, including crime and economic development along Old National Highway.
City of South Fulton District 5 council candidate Kalvin Bennett said his three main goals, if elected, include giving the community a voice, reducing crime, and restoring trust in politics.
“People are angry because they feel like they’re not being listened to," Bennett said. "They don’t feel like they’re being told what’s going on, and they don’t feel like they're a part of the process, the decision-making process.”
Keosha Bell is another candidate running for the city's District 5 council seat. She said her three big priorities include improving public safety, increasing trust in the government, and helping workers with employment.
“Of course, workforce and economic development but senior care and disability care," Bell said. "We need services. We need to be able to provide programs and services for our seniors, as well as individuals with special needs and disabilities.”
The Camelot Condominiums are another big focus in the district. The complex is one of the most crime-ridden and run-down sections in South Fulton.
Last week, City of South Fulton Police announced the arrests of two HOA board members after investigators said they found "financial irregularities."
“I think we need to be sure the residents get together and come up with a legal, recognized HOA that they all can vote in and have a part in the process and then come up with a plan moving forward, a financial plan," Bennett said.
“It’s important that we have police presence," Bell said. "It’s important that we have police in the area so that if there is an issue, they can quickly be able to address that issue before there’s another murder or death.”
Click here for a complete list of metro Atlanta races in the November election.