Candidate Profile: Jodi Merriday 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.

Jodi Merriday is running for Atlanta City Council Post 3 At-Large.

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Son, Kamau Austin (APS and Morehouse College graduate); granddaughter, Parker Christina Austin

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

APS Graduate (Jackson Elementary, Sutton Middle, Douglass High), B.A. Hampton University, M.A., Temple University, M.Sc., London School of Economics and Political Science, Ph.D. Temple University

Occupation

Executive with 30 years of experience working with 120+ higher education, public education, private sector, and pubic service organizations and institutions. Subject matter expert, facilitator and content creator (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), former Ombudsman to Atlanta Public Schools, Advanced Mediator, and Assistant Professor.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

www.jodimerriday.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I am seeking office to lend my expertise, skills, and education to being a thoughtful, collaborative, and dedicated public servant on Atlanta City Council.
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 concern expressed by Atlantans to Atlanta City Council urgency is regarding creating a safe environment for every citizen and visitor to our city. I intend to lead public safety reform and taking the following immediate actions: hiring additional public safety responders; recruiting, retaining, promoting, and training community based public safety responders; providing innovative training in psychology, de-escalation, and understanding diverse cultures and populations; aligning and streamlining our public-private partnerships and intergovernmental relationships, such as strategic partnership with Atlanta Public Schools that involve education and resources for students on conflict resolution; piloting community services that engage neighbors and young people in conflict resolution, de-escalation, alternative engagement activities (afterschool and parent support programs, neighborhood clean-ups, active neighborhood watch, and summer jobs for youth); funding the PADS (Policing Alternatives Division) for 24-hours of service delivery; funding additional technologies such as Operations Shield Camera Network (license, tracking, street cameras with live monitoring); hosting listening tours in communities impacted by gun violence; and fortifying funding for the City’s CURE Violence Program.

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

I was born, raised, and resided in District 10 for 20 years, and have resided in District 11 for 18 years. My candidacy is distinguished by the experience of living in two of the four Districts that I would be representing on Atlanta City Council Post 3 At Large.

Further, I am the only candidate in my race that has crisis-tested leadership experience regarding the city of Atlanta and expert credentials. I was a member of the leadership team recruited to support Atlanta Public Schools (APS) following the cheating scandal and established the Ombudsman's Office. During my two-year term, I provided impartial and confidential recourse in more than 1,600 cases of city-wide community concerns. I also possess an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in Development Management with a concentration in Complex Emergencies. I stand ready to contribute to solutions that navigate Atlanta through the pandemic and prepare our city for post-pandemic growth and stability.

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

This seat is open.

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

I think local officials responded congruent to their capacity, experience, and preparedness for a crisis. My reaction would have been different in that I have been trained and have experience with crisis management and complex emergencies. I would have offensively: 1) prepared a pandemic action plan at the onset of COVID to ensure that services to citizens were minimally disrupted; and 2) upgraded the city's technology to enable employees to deliver city services virtually (wherein allowable) whilst remaining accountable for addressing gaps and delays through a coordinated and expedient process..

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

The root cause of crime is systemic and institutional inequality. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs further identified root causes of violent crime as the breakdown of marriage, family, and community (Fagan, 1995). We can not arrest our way out of the systemic and institutional disparities that create crime and criminals. Crime must be addressed at its root causes by providing: universal access to early childhood education, youth employment programming, wrap-around services in schools, a minimum wage of $18.00 - $22.00, housing that persons earning livable wages can afford, and accessible transit {multi-modal} that connects neighborhoods and people to each other and to opportunities.

Further, Atlanta being, "open" during the pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on mental health, housing, and jobs also contributed. Organized crime and gang leaders relocated enterprises to Atlanta that we have never seen before in scale and scope. We now have a very real problem that can only be addressed through deliberate offensive action, dismantling organized criminal networks, infrastructure, and trafficking. We have to take five steps forward as a city with a plan for citywide systemic and institutional equity, pubic safety, and criminal justice reform.

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

Oppose. I was born, raised, and reside in Southwest Atlanta. However, I was bused to Buckhead and attended Jackson Elementary and Sutton Middle school because Atlantans envisioned unity and inclusion for our city. Buckhead is a part of Atlanta, and Atlanta is a part of Buckhead.

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?

As stated above, I oppose the Buckhead cityhood movement. I have heard that there is momentum gaining to boycott Buckhead amongst national artists, influencers and activists if the succession movement continues. This would be bad for Atlanta and substantively impact commercial enterprise in Buckhead. The base of Buckhead's growth and prosperity has taken decades and included all Atlantans and visitors. Our collective brand is at stake and Buckhead's succession plan is divisive. All Atlantans are challenged by the concerns that Buckhead has voiced. I would seek to find a mutually beneficial trajectory for Buckhead and the city of Atlanta to remain together. The issues that prompted the Buckhead cityhood movement can and will be addressed. I remain confident that we will find a path forward together.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Other key issues that define my campaign platform beyond the imperative of PROMOTING PUBLIC SAFETY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM include: SUPPORTING APS AND YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, REVITALIZING SMALL BUSINESSES, IMPROVING ROADS AND TRANSIT, FUNDING AND BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INCREASING SERVICES TO SENIORS, AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

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

First, I bring 30 years of leadership and professional experience from higher and secondary education, private sector, government, social work, and social justice to my aspiration to be elected to City Council Post 3 At-Large. I have served various cross-sectors of the community, provided solutions that prepare people and organizations to work together, and facilitated organizational change and transformation.

Second, I was a member of the leadership team recruited to support Atlanta Public Schools (APS) following the cheating scandal. I have two years of experience as a leader navigating a citywide crisis. I established the Ombudsman's Office and provided impartial and confidential recourse in more than 1,600 cases of constituent concerns.

Third, I have also worked as a Project Manager at the Atlanta Committee for Progress, launched Atlanta's Centers of Hope with Parks and Recreation, and wrote the grant that secured funding from the Rockefeller Foundation for Atlanta to hire a Chief Service Officer and become a City of Service.

I can handle this job and be exemplary at the work required.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

{Source: My Dad) "Never ask if a mosquito can pull a plow, just hop on and enjoy the ride"

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

Atlanta is my home. I love this city and its citizens. I will be an accessible and compassionate servant leader and champion excellent municipal government.