Politics & Government

In District 5 Council Race, Challengers Focus on Crime, Accountability and Leadership

KIRKWOOD — At a candidates' forum for the Atlanta City Council District 5 seat on Thursday night, the challengers vying to defeat incumbent Natalyn Archibong, stressed what they said was a need for new leadership to tackle crime, accountability in city government and true representation of voters

The candidates, Christian EnterkinJohn Michalik and Matt Rinker, answered questions and staked their positions on the issues they felt most affected residents and businesses in the district, which is comprised of neighborhoods in Southeast Atlanta and Northeast Atlanta.

District 5 includes Cabbagetown, East Atlanta, East Lake, Edgewood, Glenwood Park, Kirkwood, Lake Claire, North Ormewood Park, Reynoldstown and a portion of Old Fourth Ward.

Archibong did not attend the event at Israel Missionary Baptist Church, which was put together by Kirkwood resident Keith Bullington and moderated by The Georgia Voice. (Jon Jones, a fifth candidate, has dropped out of the race altogether and also did not attend.)

"We need fresh perspectives, new ideas," Enterkin, a businesswoman, said of the upcoming Nov. 5 election.

Two key issues for her, she said, was streamlining the process by which small businesses start operations in Atlanta.

Too often, she said, the permitting process is rife with poor customer service and sometimes those seeking various licenses have to change course midway through it because of new rules or regulations with which they have to comply.

That ends up costing more money, leaving business owners frustrated and fuming, she said.

The other key issue is crime, she said, a sentiment echoed by the other two candidates. Noting that she had been a crime victim herself, Enterkin said she wants to reduce police response times, institute a more "boots on the ground" approach with police doing more bike and walking patrols.

Rinker, a real estate professional from East Atlanta, said crime was a major concern, which prompted him to enter the race, as well as a "passion to help our neighborhoods," and what he said is need for someone to represent the interests of the district.

Too often Archibong voted to support initiatives that Rinker said were out of step with what District 5 wanted, such as the new Falcons stadium.

Rinker and Enterkin both charged that Archibong's attendance record at council meetings was the worst of any member of the City Council in the past two years, though some in the audience challenged how they measured that.

Still, Rinker said Archibong's attendance record underscored what he saw as a need to be available to listen to voters and represent them.

Asked what three things he would do differently, Rinker said "I will be there, I will listen to voters and have an open-door policy," with constituents.

Michalik, a longtime neighborhood activist in Old Fourth Ward, agreed crime is an issue, as is municipal malaise, which he said he would seek to change by pushing for legislation to enact term limits and stricter limits on campaign contributions.

Unlike the other competitors in the race, Michalik has made a point of not accepting contributions and funding the race himself.

There's a whole lot of issues," Michlik said. "We definitely can do better."

East Atlanta Patch captured portions of the Q&A at the forum. Please click on the videos to hear the candidates addressing the issues of concern to them.

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