To see a map of Tucker’s City Council districts, click here to use the city’s GIS tool. You will need to check the box for Council District Boundaries in the menu labeled “Layer List” in order to see the commission district boundaries.

Tucker, GA — Local attorney and longtime Tucker resident Thomas Walker is running for Tucker City Council District 2, Post 1.

The elections are Nov. 2. The District 2, Post 1 seat is currently held by Matt Robbins who is term limited and can’t run again.

“As a long time Tucker resident with deep ties to our community, I want to be your next voice on our city council,” his campaign website says. “Having lived in my home since 1997, I know firsthand what motivated us to vote for cityhood.  I will work hard to continue the vision of making Tucker a great place to live, work and play through local control, fiscal responsibility, environmental awareness and social concern.”

His top campaign issues are:

– Keeping property taxes low

– Supporting local businesses

– Having a good working relationship with DeKalb County government

– Building a strong relationship with the county legislative delegation

– Creating a comprehensive plan for sidewalks

– Preserving the city’s greenspaces and adding to them

– Creating a comprehensive plan to renovate the Tucker Rec Center

– Deciding on the future of the buildings at John’s Holmstead

His campaign website says, “Anyone who travels on Lawrenceville Highway near John’s Homestead is familiar with the dilapidated house and out building surrounded by a cyclone fence.  This property falls into further disrepair as the city has done nothing with it since taking over parks from DeKalb County.  If this property is of historical significance, Tucker needs repair, renovate and properly maintain it and find a purpose for it. It makes no sense to leave it as is to rot away.”

– Making livestreaming of City Council meetings permanent. The city of Tucker recently announced plans to stop livestreaming meetings, but reconsidered that position following the publication of a Tucker Observer article and editorial in support of livestreaming the city’s meetings.

“The city’s decision to end livestreaming City Council Meetings is a mistake,” Walker said. “Many surrounding and smaller cities have decided to make livestreaming their city council meetings permanent, and we should too. Livestreaming gives anyone with internet access and a smartphone, tablet or computer the opportunity to watch our City Council conduct our business. Livestreaming provides transparency and convenient access to government.”

Thomas has a record of civic involvement that includes being a member of the Tucker Civic Association study committee, encouraging legislators to give Tucker an opportunity to vote on cityhood, and campaigning for cityhood.

“From 2014 through 2016, I spoke to my neighbors and proudly displayed my original Tucker 2014 yard sign encouraging them to vote for Tucker Cityhood,” his campaign website says. “Having lived in Tucker for years, having studied the various ways we could improve our community and having engaged with others living in Tucker, it was clear the best path to improve our community was to create our City of Tucker.”

To visit his campaign website, click here.

The election is Nov. 2. Candidates who have announced a run this year are:

– Roger Orlando, candidate for District 1, Post 1

– Shawn Woods, candidate for District 1, Post 2

– Virginia Rece, candidate for District 1, Post 2

– Imani Barnes, candidate for District 2, Post 1

– Cara Schroeder, candidate for District 2, Post 1

– Thomas Walker, candidate for District 2, Post 1

– Neal Stubblefield, candidate for District 3, Post 1

– Robin Biro, candidate for Mayor

The seats on the ballot this year are:

– Mayor, post currently held by Frank Auman

– District 1 Post 1, currently held by Pat Soltys**

– District 2 Post 1, currently held by Matt Robbins*

– District 3 Post 1, currently held by Michelle Penkava*

– District 1, Post 2 is vacant and was held by the late Bill Rosenfeld

*These councilmembers are term limited and can’t run again

**These councilmembers are not seeking reelection

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