Candidate Profile: Larry B. Carter II For 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.

Larry B. Carter II is running for City Council District 4.

Age (as of Election Day)

40

Party Affiliation

Non-partisan

Family

Antoine Nolan Carter, 36, spouse

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

None

Education

Bachelor of Science in education Georgia State University, Masters of Education Mathematics Georgia State University

Occupation

Program Analyst, Partnership Manager, 4 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

None

Campaign website

www.larrycartermovingforward.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

Atlanta is at a pivotal turning point, affordability is at an all-time low and not slowing down. Our community in District 4 is developing around the residents and does not include the current residents. People should be able to be safe no matter how they choose to travel, on foot, bike or in a vehicle. That is why I am running for Atlanta City Council District 4, to put people before politics. We deserve affordable, safe, and inclusive communities throughout District 4.
The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Housing Affordability is a huge issue facing District 4 and the City of Atlanta as a whole. During an economic downturn, Atlanta's housing prices have continued to increase. The increase in housing prices also means increased taxes. Current homeowners are seeing increases that are changing their mortgage payment year after year, what is looking like an adjustable mortgage based on taxes. The intent is not displacement but that is the impact. I will work with the council to send a resolution to the state legislature to address what will become a housing tax crisis. We do not want to see a replay of 2009's housing crisis in the City of Atlanta.

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

The critical difference is I am one of two candidates that have not run in this race prior. I am not seeking to be part of the establishment, I am running a grassroots campaign for the people by the people. Ninety percent of my staff is volunteers because they believe in the campaign and mission. I have campaign advisors that have done the work in the City of Atlanta and they believe we need change. One example being Winfield Ward Murray. He is an Atlanta native, has worked in City Hall at the service of the Mayor, and running Atlanta's community court. On day one I will have the backing to start creating the change instead of maintaining the status quo.

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

District 4 has been underdeveloped for decades. We have less access to fresh foods and retailers in our district. That has been an issue constituents have advocated over for years. The infrastructure is crumbling, making it unsafe to walk the street to access the Beltline due to incomplete or nonexistent sidewalks, street lights, and crosswalks. There is a lack of signage and stop signs. Reproductive justice has gone ignored. The proximity of I-20 creates airborne contaminants, which have been proven to shorten life spans, endanger children in their third trimester, and generally hurt the long-term health of residents.

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

Covid 19 was an unprecedented and unexpected time. I think we were able to see opportunities for growth in our processes and procedures going forward. We are a world-class city so we have to set up and update our city functions to be representative of that. The City of Atlanta's permitting process needs to be streamlined. We need a municipal broad-band so that every person has access in time of crisis. We have to find alternative methods of hiring in Public Works and all departments to ensure that we have high-quality consistent coverage.

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

I believe the root causes of the increase in violent crime are a mixture of issues. One poverty is one of the overarching issues, when people do not have access to opportunity they create them. We have to engage our youth in programs that offer them opportunities to learn skills as well as money. Covid has caused students to be less engaged in school and given a lot of free time with little guidance. Mental help issues have surged during the lockdown in Covid and have been untreated. We are literally seeing people act out violently on minor issues. We have to fully fund programs like PAD to respond to mental health issues so the police can respond to violent crime. We have to use our resources responsibly.

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

I oppose the creation of Buckhead City, splitting resources does not solve the root issues Atlanta is facing. We are stronger together than we are apart. That was true for our Nation when the confederacy wanted secession and it is true for the City of Atlanta.

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?

Buckhead City is not something that I envision happening, I will continue to lead with heart and compassion putting people first.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Three primary ways I would help working families are affordable housing, inclusive development, and Public safety. Families thrive when they have a stable home. I will work to send a resolution to the state to create a property tax freeze in the city like in Muscogee County.
Taxing people at their purchase price instead of the market price. On my street in 2015 the highest sale was around 185K right now homes are selling at 600k. it is not fair to tax a family that bought in at 180k on unrealized gain. Their wage has not increased; they are working on the same budget. Also using our transit stations to build density to create more affordable living with mixed-use so families have access to transportation, fresh foods, and retail.
Inclusive development will bring in retailers that service the whole community, not just the more wealthy newcomers. We need retail options to give families local access. 40% of the district do not have personal cars, so they have access to retail and a working wage closer in their community to cut commute times and create a better quality of life. We have to build out our infrastructure like MARTA so people can have easier access to jobs. No one should have to choose to walk an hour to work or wait for the bus that takes two hours in this city. When people have access to opportunity they do not have to take matters into their own hands to create opportunities.
Public Safety needs to be faced from a preventative standpoint. We need to give people access to the services they need. We need to fully fund the PAD program to ensure if someone has a mental health episode they get help not but in jail which could cost them their jobs. We need to fully fund community court, where low-level offenders see a judge and get treatment from mental health to housing, to job training opportunities to keep them out of the system and becoming repeat offender. We have to engage our youth in a way that gives them access to opportunity and life skills. Creating balance for families where parents are working, their teen can be in a paid

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

My team and I received a Bronze medal for our work and creativity to meet goals during the Covid 19 pandemic. I have brokered relationships with underserved communities and Fortune 500 companies. I have worked on the ground as a community organizer engaging, educating, and activating citizens in Ashview Heights and NPU-T. I worked in Atlanta Public Schools with families just like the ones in District 4. I listen, I learn and I get results. I am a change maker.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

A wise man told me don't argue with fools. People from a distance can't tell who is who.

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

I am a husband, son, brother, friend, educator and neighbor. I am just like you an everyday person called to give a voice to those who have been voiceless. It is time to move the heart of the city forward together. I want to build a bridge from the amazing legacy of Atlanta to the inclusive future.