YT Bell running to regain seat on Clarkston City Council
Yterenickia “YT” Bell
Tucker, GA — Yterenickia “YT” Bell, a community advocate and professor at Georgia State University, is running to regain her seat on Clarkston City Council.
Bell served on City Council from 2018 to 2020, stepping down to run for mayor. She lost to Mayor Beverly Burks, and her seat was filled in a special election by Mark Perkins who is not seeking re-election due to family circumstances.
Bell said she is passionate about people, and improving their quality of life has always been at the forefront of running for public office. She has over 10 years of public policy experience, from community engagement to advocacy for vulnerable populations.
She has a long track record in office. Bell pushed for the city’s first multicultural mental health fair, and the establishment of the Clarkston Complete Count Committee, the first U.S. Census task force in DeKalb County. She worked on the passage of the non-discrimination ordinance, a moratorium on small box stores to encourage more positive economic growth, but also “to reduce stores that do not provide nutritious options for our residents.”
She said her top three campaign issues are community, health and economic development.
Bell was behind a rent-relief partnership while serving on Clarkston City Council. As an advocate for healthcare for all, she said caring for the mental, dental and physical health of Clarkston’s residents is crucial. She serves as president of the Community Engagement Board for the Women’s Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.
Clarkston is uniquely accessible to Atlanta, located on I-285 and near Hwy. 78 and I-20. The city is made up of a significant foreign-born population of refugees and asylum seekers, as well a locally-born, vulnerable population. Community clinics have a cultural competency to build relationships and serve the population of Clarkston, Bell said.
Bell plans to encourage equitable development and growth by innovating. She said zoning laws and code enforcement play a role in economic development, and local colleges provide support to current and future business owners.
Bell is ready to do the work on City Council, she said.
“I’m credible, I’m committed and I’m compassionate to the residents of Clarkston,” she said. “Ultimately, I want to make sure that Clarkston is safe, economically strong and welcoming to all residents by working with the council as well as a city staff to create some progressive solutions on a responsible budget to build Clarkston into the thriving community I see ahead of us.”
More information about the Nov. 2 municipal elections
All Tucker Observer elections coverage can be found at Tuckerobservervotes.com
The election will be Nov. 2. Early voting will begin on Oct. 12. The voter registration deadline for the upcoming city elections is Oct. 4. To register to vote, click here.
To see a list of important dates in the 2021 election year, click here.
To learn about qualifying for local elections in Tucker, Clarkston and Stone Mountain, click here.
Voters in DeKalb County are eligible to apply for an absentee ballot beginning Aug. 16. The county will hold municipal elections on Nov. 2, as well as a county-wide E-SPLOST vote for DeKalb County schools.
To apply for an absentee ballot:
— Visit the Georgia Secretary of State website: www.sos.ga.gov.
— Complete the absentee ballot application using the state’s official paper form or request an absentee ballot in writing. Use blue or black ink only.
Applications can be mailed to the county elections office and voter’s should use this address: DeKalb County Election office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032-1239.
Applications can also be submitted through fax, 404-298-4038 or email, [email protected].
Voters may send an absentee ballot request for multiple people who live in the same household in the same envelope or email.
If an absentee ballot is not mailed to you, contact your county’s elections office. You may still vote in person, either early or on Election Day.
An absentee ballot application must be received 11 days prior to the election, which is Oct. 22.
In accordance with SB202, a new voting bill signed by Governor Brian Kemp in March, a voter ID is required to apply for an absentee ballot. A Georgia driver’s license, Georgia voter card, U.S. military ID, employee ID issued by any branch of the federal or state government, U.S. Passport, tribal ID, or a document verifying a voter’s name and address – including a paycheck, utility bill, or bank statement – are accepted forms of ID.
Voters can obtain a free ID at the DeKalb County Elections office at 4380 Memorial Drive in Decatur or at the following locations:
– On Aug. 25 from 3-6 p.m. at Doraville Marta Station, 6000 New Peachtree Road, Doraville 30340.
— On Aug. 30 from 3-6 p.m. at Indian Creek Marta Station, 3901 Durham Park Road, Stone Mountain 30083.
— On Sept. 15 from 3-6 p.m. at Chamblee Marta Station, 5200 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee 303041.
— On Sept. 14 from 3-6 p.m. at Kensington Marta Station, 3505 Kensington Road, Decatur 30032.
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