Candidate Profile: Andrea L. Boone For Atlanta City Council

ATLANTA — Fifty-six City Council candidates are running for 16 seats in Atlanta's Nov. 2 municipal election.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Andrea L. Boone is running for Atlanta City Council District 10.

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Mother - Alethea Boone; Jolaunda Boone Campbell

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

N/A

Education

I am a product of Atlanta Public Schools, attending Frederick Douglass High School. I received my B.A. in English from Tuskegee University.

Occupation

Atlanta City Councilmember - District 10 - 4 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

I was elected as the District 10 Atlanta City Councilmember sworn in January 2018. Prior to being elected, I was appointed as the Commissioner of Constituent Services. Chief of Staff to Councilmember CT Martin, District 10 for 20 years.

Campaign website

AndreaLBoone.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

As a native Atlantan and lifetime resident of Southwest Atlanta, I love to serve. I was fortunate to witness both of my parents' commitment and service to the community professionally and personally. My mother taught French as a second language for more than 35 years throughout the inner-city, primarily in the Vine City area; and I witnessed my father, Rev. Joseph E. Boone (for whom Simpson Road was renamed over 15 years ago), and his colleagues in ministry, during the Civil Rights Movement, serve those most in need without hesitation. I am seeking re-election to SERVE people and their needs. Everything I have done and will continue doing is fueled by the needs of people. I consider it an honor to receive the trust of my constituents in representing them at City Hall.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our city is Crime. I will work with our external partners more closely. The City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Police Department have been viewed as being solely responsible for the current state of crime within the Atlanta/Fulton County area. Atlanta is not solely responsible and cannot fix this problem alone. As a result, we must look at becoming more aggressive with the consequences for repeat and/or violent offenders. The sense of urgency amongst law enforcement officials and other partners must be renewed. A collaborative plan of action to include the Fulton County Judiciary, Fulton County DA’s Office, Fulton County Sheriff, Atlanta Public Schools and City of Atlanta will be my suggestion.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience, passion, knowledge, and relationships. More importantly, sacrifice. All of which are validated through the progress we are making as a community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

I do not believe there was a blueprint to follow regarding COVID-19, so I cannot rate performance. However, I do believe that as a body of elected officials we could have moved faster in making decisions once we received the scientific data in certain instances.

hat do you identify as the root causes of the recent and ongoing increase in violent crime, and how would you address the issue?

Suggesting that there is one root cause for violent crime is disingenuous. I believe that one of the many underlying causes is a lack of resources that go beyond status quo. All the public entities and quasi-public entities need more communication amongst each other. Pooling resources to offer non-traditional training and opportunities for specific communities of interest is necessary.

Do you support or oppose the creation of Buckhead City? Why or why not?

I do not support the creation of Buckhead City.

How would your administration react to the creation of Buckhead City and the resulting loss of a major residential, commercial and cultural center and significant source of tax revenue? How would you respond to residents and businesses in that community if cityhood were rejected?

I recognize the energy behind the movement for Buckhead to become its own city. I also know that it would impact the bottom line of our tax revenue. However, there has not been a lot of conversation regarding the heavy-lift associated with creating and sustaining a municipality. Buckhead residents, just like all of Atlanta’s other residents deserve to feel safe in their homes and communities. But an organized municipality with a governing body has a large responsibility; there are a lot of moving parts to this that need serious consideration. The last 24 months have been difficult for the entire Nation. I believe with the right leadership at the table from all sides we can work through the urgent issues and concerns. Atlanta has faced many challenges in the past but has forged our way through based on the willingness to do so. I don’t think this is any different.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The biggest issue(s) facing my constituents are the lack of economic development opportunities, resources for seniors and the lack of quality amenities in the community. Over the last 3 plus years I have met with and walked the district with city officials and prospective developers to encourage them to consider coming west with some new and cutting-edge Developments for District 10. My track record is verifiable, my constituents know that I care and that I have been on the forefront working on everything that matters to them and Atlanta. I am the best candidate because I am doing the work. This is not a job for me, I am a public Servant.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Since being elected in 2017, and sworn into office in January 2018, I have been a tireless advocate for the needs of the people. My legislative record has shown my commitment and dedication to the city. I have voted “no” on a salary increase for Councilmembers; Added $23 Million to the budget for Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Projects; Voted to allocate $20.9 Million for improvements to Cascade Road; Allocated nearly $14 Million for improvements to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Corridor; Allocated $14 Million in grant money (CDBG and ESG) to help Atlantans recover financially from the COVID 19 pandemic; Passed a Resolution to assign more than $1.3 Million to after school service centers; Led the "Fight the Blight" initiative; Hosted Job Fairs and Criminal Expungement Seminars; and during COVID endorsed the moratorium on evictions and filings; supported programs for the homeless, Addressed the Food Insecurity by establishing a monthly Food distribution; was the first councilmembers to sponsor COVID vaccines in their district; and initiated numerous community cleanups by partnering with civic, religious, and city agencies; to name a few.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

One of the best pieces of advice shared with me was from my mentor and former boss, the late C.T. Martin, He told me to always be present, listen and be truthful in what you could and could not do. As his Chief of Staff for nearly 20 years, I was able to see the results of his hard work in conjunction with so many others.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?