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Guest Speaker: Byron Amos
Atlanta City Councilmember Byron Amos, District 3

discusses how he approaches serving his constituents

   
President-Elect Jared Evans introduced the Honorable Byron Amos, Atlanta City Councilmember, 3rd District, as our speaker. Jared had this to say about Councilmember Amos: "He's one of the, among the new council members from the 2022 cohort and I think a standout among that group. I think he's thoughtful and prepared for all of the council meetings. He asks questions, lets you know he's serious about the issues. . .serious about helping out the constituents of District 3. Since our focus area overlaps largely with his, I wanted to have him come and talk directly to us, tell us about himself and tell us about what's happening in the district and many ways that we can partner together in the future."

Councilmember Amos said he was honored to speak with our club emphasizing that AWER is “a major force in us moving forward.” He described District 3 as generally populated by Atlantans of lower incomes though the north end of the district includes nearly all of Atlantic Station, many citizens with higher incomes. He then told us that he is motivated to be sure all constituents receive the best in support and services the City of Atlanta has to offer.

With that top of mind, he explained his way of serving constituents:

(1) Activate to maximum use what is already available as a resident in District 3. To accomplish that Councilmember Amos is emphasizing taking advantage of the many resources the City already has in place, including (a) new parks (three in District 3), (b) the Beltline, and (c) growing home ownership. Councilmember Amos told us that he has shifted his approach from focusing on “affordable housing” to emphasizing “affordable neighborhoods.” He says, our neighborhoods should be in a condition that a renter should be able to stay next to a homeowner comfortably. We should be in neighborhoods with green spaces and transportation, as well as other amenities needed to make residents’ neighborhoods what they need them to be and such that they want to stay there.

(2) Affordable education resources and opportunities where his District enables an educational journey PreK through postsecondary and graduate schools. He noted that in District 3 one can literally begin an education as a PreK student and continue through obtaining a PhD and MD, as these educational resources all exist within District 3: PreK services => elementary schools => middle school via the Hollis Innovation Academy (APS) => Booker T. Washington High School => Spelman, Clark, Morris Brown, Morehouse, => Atlanta Interdenominational Theological Center, => Morehouse School of Medicine – and others ... while never leaving District 3. He said District 3 enables “diapers to degrees!”;

(3) Support to families – promote the well-being of adults and their children: promising housing opportunities within the reach of lower income residents living in English Avenue, Vine City, Ashview Heights, and Atlanta University Center. Councilmember Amos also stressed voting as a major opportunity not being pursued as needed. For example, he said of the 30,000 voting age residents in District 3, only 3,000 voted in the last election. To remedy that problem, he’s undertaking door-to-door tours he calls “Walk With Me Wednesday” so citizens can hear about what is available for them and the importance of using voting as a way to improve opportunities and voting for those who can deliver more support for programs and services needed, including for our schools.
Posted by Neil Shorthouse
December 4, 2023 12:00pm

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