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The Tucker Observer invited all candidates running in the Nov. 2 municipal election to submit up to three letters on their behalf. One of the letters could be written by the candidate. Here are the letters in support of Alexis Weaver, candidate for Tucker City Council, District 3, Post 1.

Dear Tucker Observer,

The city of Tucker will soon graduate its first class of city council members.  This inaugural class bore the enormous burden of getting the city underway and still managed to repave streets and build miles of new sidewalks. The foundation they laid gives us the opportunity now to focus beyond startup missions as the city grows into the twenty-first century.  For that work, the next freshman class must bring new skills and perspectives.

In District Three, we can access the skills and perspectives we need by voting for Alexis Weaver.  Her background in urban planning provides the kind of knowledge the city needs as it faces a future of redevelopment and densification.  She advocates for citizen involvement to bring a wide variety of new ideas to the city. And, she understands why it’s important for Tucker to join our neighbors in adopting a non-discrimination ordinance.

Tucker’s youth as an unincorporated railroad stop is long past.  It’s adolescence as a quiet suburb is coming to an end.  As it comes into its adulthood as a strong vibrant city, it’s time now to make smart decisions about how to grow.  Alexis understands the importance of protecting our housing stock and the need for new housing priced for first-time buyers.  The nationwide fading of brick-and-mortar retail affects the shopping centers of Tucker.  Alexis sees our underused shopping centers as opportunities for better, more appropriate growth.  We need to make the right decisions now to prepare for that growth.  Alexis has the expertise to lead the city in planning and zoning decisions that direct that growth in smart and beneficial ways.

Alexis wants to tap the diversity of views in Tucker to lead for change that benefits everyone.  She believes in actively seeking the viewpoints of our increasingly diverse population.  She plans quarterly district-wide engagement meetings to hear from us.  Share an idea with her and notice how she listens.  She proposes to create citizen advisory boards to reach people that have been overlooked.  She encourages our participation to bring our diverse views into the city’s conversations.

I began this discussion with praise for Tucker’s first-ever government.  So, it disappoints me to report their failure of leadership by not adopting a non-discrimination ordinance.  A group of citizens proposed an ordinance to the city two years ago; but the mayor and council could not see the opportunity it brings.  All of our neighboring cities understand the need for this and have addressed it.  The need remains in Tucker, though; and that’s why a non-discrimination ordinance is a persistent topic in the city’s races.  Alexis sees the need for a non-discrimination ordinance.  She understands a non-discrimination ordinance is a statement about the kind of welcoming city Tucker strives to be, it is an effective tool for discouraging discrimination, and it creates a civil process for dealing with discrimination when it occurs.

Alexis has the skills and perspectives in urban planning, citizen inclusion, and non-discrimination that we need.  We are lucky to be able to vote for her.

– George Wellborn, Tucker, GA

 

Dear Tucker Observer,

I knew within five minutes of meeting Alexis Weaver that I would be throwing my support behind her campaign for Tucker’s District 3 City Council seat. Before sitting down for coffee outside of Corner Cup to talk about her vision for Tucker’s future I had never met her. But all it took was five minutes for her to hook me.

It’s been five years since my family put down roots here in Tucker. My wife and I had been living in the Atlanta area since 2006 but, once we had our first child, we wanted to actually settle down somewhere for the long haul. We fell in love with Tucker and its people. We bought a house here, I opened a business- Infinite Realities: Comics, Games and More- here, and our sons go to school here. Tucker is our home and I care very deeply about the future of our wonderful city.I trust Alexis Weaver with that future and here’s why:

– Alexis has the experience. For two decades she has worked as an urban planner addressing real issues that our city is currently facing: rapid growth, a need for affordable housing, homelessness, and more. Alexis has actual experience in dealing with these issues and that experience would be put to excellent use on our city council.

– She has the vision. Tucker is changing at breakneck speed. Our population is growing, affordable housing has become an issue, and our infrastructure needs to be addressed. But for that to happen we need someone who is trained and experienced in seeing the big picture. That’s where Alexis comes in. She has an actual, workable vision on how we can successfully tackle each of these challenges.

– Alexis is an ally. As a Tucker business owner every single day I see that our community includes large LGBTQ+, African American, Latinx populations, and more. Tucker must not only strive to acknowledge these members of our community but actively serve them as well. I believe Alexis will make that a priority of this city. As a private citizen, she has already been an advocate of making the Non-Discrimination Ordinance a reality. As a council member, she’ll have the power to push even harder to make it real.

Tucker is an amazing city filled with amazing people. But for it to remain an amazing place, we need even more amazing leadership.

We need Alexis Weaver.

– Chris Brennaman, Co-owner, Infinite Realities: Comics, Games & More

 

Dear Tucker Observer,

My name is Alexis Weaver and I’m running to represent District 3 on the Tucker City Council. I’m a mom to three children and an anti-hunger advocate working daily to help low-income Georgians achieve economic mobility. I’m active in community organizations including being a board member of NETWorks Cooperative Ministry and a deacon at Smoke Rise Baptist Church. I joined this race to serve on the Tucker City Council because of my belief that it is essential to have representation that reflects the inclusive values of our city.

Through two decades working as an urban planner and nonprofit leader to address poverty, homelessness and hunger in communities, I have focused on empowering stakeholders to have a seat at tables of power and a voice in the way decisions are made. Broad community input is necessary for sound decision making. I’m a leader who listens well and intentionally seeks to increase citizen engagement. I will be a champion for an open and transparent city government that values creativity and collaboration—essential ingredients to finding community-based solutions to solve complex challenges.

Tucker is a young city experiencing rapid and multi-faceted growth and is at a crossroads—this growth can either offer opportunity for a few, or opportunity for all. Creating a clear housing development strategy as well as long-term planning to leverage our economic growth are two top priorities. What mix of housing types, densities, quantities as well as zoning tactics are required so that our community can grow well?

With a vision for the future, we must evaluate our existing comprehensive plan, identify what has been executed well, and where there is opportunity, to re-direct funds and focus to ensure the intent of the Tucker Tomorrow Plan is achieved. Let’s move quickly to connect Tucker to the PATH so our parks are connected in one accessible system.

I’m also an enthusiastic supporter of a Non-Discrimination Ordinance and ally of my LGBTQ neighbors. Discrimination has no place in our city. Neighboring and nearby cities like Brookhaven, Chamblee, Clarkston, Decatur, and Doraville all have nondiscrimination protections for their LGBTQ residents. Yet, Tucker does not. For two years, our elected officials refused even to discuss publicly the proposed ordinance. Some—like my opponent, Neal Stubblefield—sadly offer a myriad of ill-informed excuses in an attempt to dodge this discussion. Why?

The greatest strength of Tucker is its diversity. This diversity is why our family chose to make Tucker home eight years ago. I pledge to lift up this diversity as we act together to create a more inclusive community where everyone has an opportunity to flourish and find success.

Throughout the campaign, my opponent has touted nonpartisanship. In an interview for the Tucker Observer Election Guide, Mr. Stubblefield highlighted his September 3 public remarks promising to “not accept monetary support or influence from any political party” and claimed that “partisan-sponsored candidate slates are attempting to divide our community.” However, just two weeks later, Mr. Stubblefield was a featured speaker at the Dekalb County Republican Party’s “Our Municipal Candidates” breakfast.

I’m a leader who is committed to both integrity and transparency. I won’t say one thing and turn around and do the opposite. I believe that the integrity of elected officials helps to foster trust within our community. Transparency is key to maintaining that trust.

I am passionate about connecting with and convening residents to hear their hopes and concerns, and always responding with action. Whether you’ve lived in Tucker for 30 years or 3 years, your voice is important. Choose a neighbor who will make sure your voice is heard. District 3 residents, I would be honored to have your vote on Nov. 2 (or before)! I invite you to learn more about my campaign and connect with me at www.alexis4tucker.com.

– Alexis Weaver

More information about voting in the Nov. 2 election: 

Editor’s note: Decaturish and the Tucker Observer have published an Elections Guide, a 76-page e-edition featuring Q&As with nearly every candidate running in our communities. To see it, click here. This special e-edition features candidates running for public office in Decatur, Avondale Estates, Atlanta City Council District 5, Clarkston Tucker and Stone Mountain.  There is a PDF version of this, which you can see by clicking here, but due to the format of this e-edition, we strongly encourage you to use the e-reader version.

All elections coverage can be found at Decaturishvotes.com and Tuckerobservervotes.com.  

Election Day is Nov. 2. Early voting will begin on Oct. 12 and will end on Oct. 29. The voter registration deadline is Oct. 4. To register to vote, click here.

To see a list of important dates in the 2021 election year, click here.

Voters in DeKalb County are eligible to apply for an absentee ballot as of Aug. 16. 

To apply for an absentee ballot:

— Visit the Georgia Secretary of State website.

—  Complete the absentee ballot application using the state’s official paper form. Use black or blue ink only.

Applications can be mailed to the county elections office at this address: DeKalb County Election office, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, GA 30032-1239.

Applications can also be submitted by 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, call DeKalb Elections office, 404-298-4020. You may still vote in person, either early or on Election Day.

An absentee ballot application must be received by Oct. 22.

In accordance with SB202, a new voting bill signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in March, a copy of a voter’s ID is required to apply for an absentee ballot. A Georgia driver’s license, Georgia state ID, Georgia voter card, U.S. Passport, U.S. military ID, employee ID issued by any branch of the federal or state government, 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.

Early voting begins Oct. 12 and ends Oct. 29. The hours for early voting are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be weekend early voting on Oct. 16, 17, 23 and 24. Call your elections office for hours.

Beginning Oct. 12, you can participate in early voting at the following locations: 

– Bessie Branham Recreation Center (2051 Delano Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30317)

– Lynwood Recreation Center (3360 Osborne Road NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319)

– Berean Christian Church – Family Life Center (2197 Young Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088)

– DeKalb Voter Registration & Elections Office (4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300, Decatur, GA 30032)

– Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library (5234 LaVista Road, Tucker, GA 30084)

– Stonecrest Library (3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038)

– County Line-Ellenwood Library (4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294)

– Dunwoody Library (5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road., Dunwoody, GA 30338)

For the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding early voting times and locations, visit Decaturishvotes.com and Tuckerobservervotes.com or call 404-298-4020.  

The Tucker Observer is a new community news website owned by Decaturish.com. We provide locally sourced news about Tucker, Clarkston and Stone Mountain.

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