Candidate Profile: Kenny Hill For Mayor

ATLANTA — Fourteen Mayoral candidates are running 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.
Kenny Hill is running for Atlanta Mayor.

Age (as of Election Day)

56

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife and two school-aged daughters

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA in Economics from The University of California, San Diego

Occupation

President and Founder- The Launch Pad Foundation (7 years)
The Home Depot Inc. (30 years)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.electkennyhill.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

The citizens of Atlanta deserve transparent, trustworthy leadership that can bring our city together to solve the difficult challenges we are facing.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Crime is the issue that everyone is focusing on and rightly so, however, unity and cohesiveness in our city is the key to reaching permanent solutions to crime, affordable housing, economic disparities etc. Without coming together and working on solving these problems, we will only get temporary fixes that won’t last. Further, the protests that turned into riots and damage to our city will return if we don’t elect leadership that can build consensus. This is why I am running for mayor. I know many of the "leading" candidates and they are polarizing not unifying in their leadership style. I can bring our city together.

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

The "leading candidates" are either career politicians from a broken system or are under federal indictment. Atlanta needs a political outsider to establish transparent and servant leadership in city government. I have spent my life in service-based endeavors. From my 30 year career with The Home Depot to establishing a nonprofit to assist homeless single mothers and their children transition from shelters to sustainability, I have put others first. Public service requires that one be comfortable and proficient at serving the needs of others.

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

City government has been plagued by corruption and struggles to deliver the required basics for the residents and businesses of Atlanta.

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

Given the difficulty of the pandemic, I think the mayor has handled the crisis as well as to be expected. Protecting life has been the focus as it should be.

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 causes are an important but often overlooked aspect of crime. My experience growing up in poverty and now serving disenfranchised communities has allowed me to observe the following: Stagnant poverty diminishes hope and when hope is lost rational decision-making leaves as well. Fatherlessness leads to an intense searching for acceptance and validation. This desire is a gateway for gang recruitment which leads to criminal activity. My plans to address these issues include the following:
Addressing crime hotspots and locations that invite criminal activity. Increase partnerships with neighboring municipalities to track violent offenders.
Hiring and retaining our police force to the level of 2000 officers. Providing police and community connectivity programs including mentorship programs to prevent the early onset of gang recruitment and criminal behavior. Establishing quarterly first responder appreciation events in each NPU to foster better relationships between officers and community members

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

I understand the frustration that the residents of Buckhead are experiencing. The crime and lack of services is unacceptable. These issues must be addressed with immediate and sustained results. Under my leadership crime and city services will be high priorities. We will address the individuals and establishments that are responsible for criminal behavior and address the root causes of youth crime. Secession from the City of Atlanta will not solve the crime problem but will cause deeper division and higher taxes for everyone. We all will benefit from returning our focus to the Atlanta Way of handling issues.

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?

If the efforts to create a separate city were to succeed it would create a tremendous job to sort out the implications. One thing that would be a sure result would be higher taxes for everyone. The City of Atlanta would have to sort out bond obligations, water and sewer services not to mention the impact on large projects like the Beltline and the Gulch project.
If the voters reject creating a separate city it would be a huge step towards rebuilding the cohesiveness that is desperately needed. As mayor, I would be delighted to rebuild the trust that has been strained.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

As a private citizen, I have helped homeless families navigate their way to sustainability. Using my own multi-family property I have provided mixed-income housing to accommodate market-rate renters, Atlanta Housing Authority voucher program participants and transitioning homeless program participants. I have created affordable housing opportunities that work. My nonprofit also mentors elementary school children in literacy. Having community-based mentoring addresses the roots of criminal behavior. I have real plans to move our city forward based on results.

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

My leadership and business experience include 30 years of corporate work where I lead large diverse teams to accomplish consistently outstanding results. As a nonprofit leader, I have first-hand knowledge of the difficulty that the most vulnerable residents of our city face. I have developed programs to transition families into sustainable living with pathways out of poverty.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always be mindful of the people who serve when no one is watching. True character is often revealed away from the noise and lights of notoriety

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

While other candidates speak of things that they will do if elected, I offer the results that I have achieved as a community leader. I have the conviction to lead and the compassion to serve. My campaign is not accepting large donations, I am primarily self-funding my campaign. This is important to me because we cannot continue to allow money to determine who is the right leader for our city.
When I am mayor I will make decisions based on what is best for all of Atlanta, not those who have contributed thousands of dollars to my campaign. My campaign exists to give citizens the opportunity to move away from the broken system of city government that continues to yield broken results.