Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens officially launched his reelection bid on Tuesday, but even he’s not sure who’s running against him. “Without any opponents yet, is this all for show?” Dickens told hundreds of supporters early Tuesday evening at a campaign kickoff party inside the Monday Night Brewing location in the West End. The 50-year-old former […]
City Politics
Posted inCity Politics, Politics & Policy
Dickens Champions ‘Cop City,’ Crime Drop, and Housing Gains
The anticipated spring opening of the facility commonly referred to as “Cop City” was one of the highlights of Mayor Andre Dickens’ Tuesday night State of the City Address during a speech that felt like both a victory lap and a kickoff for his reelection campaign. The Atlanta Police Department’s Facebook page announced the Public […]
Posted inCity Politics
Atlanta’s Government Watchdog Has Resigned. Now What?
Fallout from Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault’s sudden resignation continued Wednesday, less than 48 hours after city lawmakers approved changes to her office that critics contend will undermine anti-corruption efforts for the foreseeable future. Atlanta City Council members voted 14-1 Monday evening in support of an ordinance that amends the city’s charter to further outline […]
Posted inCity Politics, Politics & Policy
She Was Hired to Root Out Corruption in Atlanta. Now, She’s Under Fire for Exceeding Her Powers.
A local security contractor and lobbyist who was the subject of an Atlanta corruption investigation last year is suing the city and its inspector general, Shannon Manigault, for allegedly subpoenaing his bank records illegally. The lawsuit filed in federal court Thursday on behalf of security contractor Bernie Tokarz argues that Manigault’s office violated Tokarz’s privacy […]
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Atlanta City Council Set to Vote on Potential Limits to Inspector General’s Powers
Government accountability advocates are asking Atlanta residents to voice support for Atlanta Inspector General Shannon Manigault ahead of a series of pivotal City Council votes that some fear will undermine efforts to root out corruption at City Hall. Committee on Council members downtown are set to decide during an 11 a.m. Monday meeting whether to […]
Posted inCity Politics, Public Safety
Calls to End Encampment Sweeps Grow After Killing of Cornelius Taylor
Supporters of Cornelius Taylor — the Black man who officials say was killed on Jan. 17 by a construction vehicle clearing an encampment of unhoused people in Atlanta’s Auburn Avenue neighborhood — are demanding city policy changes following his horrific demise. Atlanta City Council member Liliana Bakhtiari introduced a resolution Thursday calling for officials to […]
Posted inCity Politics, Elections, Politics & Policy
Eshé Collins Wins Atlanta City Council Post 3 Runoff Election
Atlanta has a new City Council member, and her name is Eshé Collins. The 44-year-old civil rights attorney and veteran Atlanta Board of Education member is projected to defeat business owner Nicole Evans Jones in their post 3 at-large runoff race on Tuesday. Collins received more than 59% of the estimated 12,400 votes cast in […]
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Atlanta Lost Its Black Majority in 2020. Post 3 Candidates Discuss Solutions.
Battling gentrification was a key topic of discussion Tuesday night for the two runoff race candidates vying to fill Atlanta City Council’s Post 3 at-large vacancy, a race likely to impact affordability standards for Black Atlanta residents. Business owner Nicole Evans Jones, a former Atlanta Public Schools principal, and civil rights attorney Eshé Collins, who […]
Posted inCity Politics, Elections, Local Politics, Voting
Atlanta City Council Post 3 At-Large Race Headed to Runoff
The race to fill Atlanta City Council’s post-3 at-large vacancy is headed to a runoff election between civil rights attorney Eshé Collins and business owner Nicole Evans Jones. Community activist Duvwon Robinson, Black Futurists Group founder Devin Barrington-Ward, and business owner Amber Higgins-Connor were also vying to fill the remainder of former council member Keisha […]
Posted inCity Politics
Atlanta Inspector General Accuses Mayor’s Office of Obstructing Anti-Corruption Efforts
Atlanta’s inspector general defended herself on Monday against allegations that her office has been violating the legal rights of city employees as it works to root out corruption inside City Hall. Inspector General Shannon Manigault spent Monday afternoon telling members of a temporary task force organized to examine her office’s policies and procedures that the […]