The Campaign For The Soul of Atlanta, Polling District
By: Ashley Nelson
The heart and soul of Atlanta, District 11 is home to Atlanta’s historic southwest communities and civil rights icons, Rev, CT Vivian, and Rev, Gerald Durley. A tale of two cities, District 11 is home to many of the cities prominent community members as well as the poorest. With the citywide election weeks away, three of the eight potential candidates joined the show in hopes of becoming your next District 11 representative: Brionte McCorkle, Harold Hardnett, and Marcia “Marci” Overstreet.
McCorkle may be the youngest candidate running for the council in the election. However, she is the most experienced among her candidates. McCorkle was involved in helping expand Marta to Cobb County. Although she is not an ATL native, McCorkle knew Atlanta was where she needed to be after moving to Georgia with her family when she was ten.
A community activist and District 11 candidate, McCorkle’s goal is to educate residents on what is happening in their city. Atlanta is changing, a trendy, ideal destination for many millenials. McCorkle believes she is best positioned to help District 11 transition to a new Atlanta with the idea of having residents stay and prosper in the district’s growth.
Unlike the other District 11 candidates, Hardnett is the only candidate born and raised in Southwest Atlanta. A public servant to his community, he holds regular public safety town hall meetings for his district. Hardnett studied political science and public policy at Morris Brown. His experience of community involvement would provide sufficient change for the residents who are concerned with gentrification. He favors gentrification as long as community members are not displaced. Affordable housing is an area he wants the city of Atlanta can improve. He will ensure future developers set aside fifty percent for affordable housing.
Having served as Public Safety Chairman for the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board, Hardnett intends to improve the district crime rates. He stated young people committing these crimes are not the same individuals living in their community. His relationship with his zone commander; Major Terrell Griffin will help him lower crime rates.
Overstreet is not a career politician; however, she feels more than equipped to be the “collaborative word” for her district. “I may be new to politics, but I am not new to Atlanta,” said Overstreet.
Overstreet wants to see her district survive and thrive. A businesswoman herself, she would like to see residents less combative when corporations and companies move into the area. Instead, she encourages the community to create a dialogue with these new businesses that is beneficial for both parties.
Preserving the “black mecca,” Overstreet stated how important diversity was for the district and maintaining the Southwest legacy. She would like corporate companies to look at the Southwest region for their office rather than drive two hours to Sandy Springs.