Candidate Profile: Roosevelt Searles III For Atlanta 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.

Roosevelt Searles III is running for Atlanta Mayor.

Age (as of Election Day)

24

Party Affiliation

Non-part

Family

All of my family lives in Atlanta. I have no children. My mother is Kisha. My sister is 11 her name is Skylar.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Some of my family members are in the military.

Education

High School Graduate. 1 year of Georgia Military College

Occupation

Self-Employed

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/a

Campaign website

https://www.rooseveltthepeople...

Why are you seeking elective office?

We are facing a time where corruption, crime and poverty are at an all-time high. Atlanta needs a Mayor with no prior obligations, someone who is ready to fully commit to the soul of the city. We need a fresh start. I am a dedicated leader with an open, innovative mind whose ready to work with the people to achieve the goal of Making Atlanta Home Again

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Poverty. Have you eaten today? And yes I’m seriously asking. You may wonder why this matters but think about how many people in our city have not had a hot meal in a few days. I know you’ve seen the Snicker commercial. Hunger leads to Anger. Anger leads to theft and theft eventually leads to violent crime. We have to start with our homeless population first, those of which are laborers, disable, mentally ill and many who are just down on bad luck. If you make $1,200 a month. Any apartment or home that you move in. You have to make 2.5-3.0x the rent, references, bank statements, rental history, and good credit. This halves your tenant base and decreases the amount of homes available for many residents. We will build our own affordable homes. Making them available as soon as Summer 2022 using modular building technology.
Crime then follows due to the lack of opportunities, inflated rent prices and a business market that is designed to benefit only those who have something established. What if you have a great idea and you just need a chance to get it off the ground? We have to open up the door to everyone with a capable brain and an able body. No good person should go to waste. We will create the Millennial Entrepreneurship Fund giving those 13-35yo the chance to start a business based on strict qualifications.

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

We have leaders in position that are making decisions on issues they have never experienced. This oftentimes creates a disconnect between the decision-maker and the issue itself. Why? Simply because when you haven't been through a certain situation and then it's time to make a decision on an issue surrounding it. Your brain won't process the scenario the same as someone who has.
That is the main difference between us. I have been through the justice system more times than I would like to admit. All due to driving without a license or driving while black. I have been denied more opportunities than I can count simply because of my age, color, "educational experience" or a combination of all 3. Not to mention being temporarily homeless within the last two years. On the bright side, now I'm an author, running multiple businesses and giving back to my community. No matter the outcome of this election I am a person. Not a politician.

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?

They have let us down. By closing businesses, forcing mandates and shoving unemployment in everyone's pocket we have reached a low point. Staff shortages, coin shortages, food shortages, gas shortages, affordable housing shortages, eviction increases, rent increases, I could keep going but you get the point.
As mayor, I will use my executive power to ensure that all residents are treated fairly and given the opportunity to make their own decisions when it comes to health, business, and education. America is not a dictatorship and we will not allow Atlanta to become one!

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

Poverty. Have you eaten today? And yes I’m seriously asking. You may wonder why this matters but think about how many people in our city have not had a hot meal in a few days. I know you’ve seen the Snicker commercial. Hunger leads to Anger. Anger leads to theft and theft eventually leads to violent crime. We have to start with our homeless population first, those of which are laborers, disable, mentally ill and many who are just down on bad luck. If you make $1,200 a month. Any apartment or home that you move in. You have to make 2.5-3.0x the rent, references, bank statements, rental history and good credit. This halves your tenant base and decreases the amount of homes available for many residents. We will build our own affordable homes. Making them available as soon as Summer 2022 using modular building technology.

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

I oppose the creation of Buckhead City because I have not had a chance to fully review the pros and cons. I have seen the feasibility report, however, I would need to see the see from the mayor's seat to completely understand the annexation.

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?

We would be just fine. I plan to introduce 3 key pieces of legislation that will make up for more than enough of what we would lose with Buckhead leaving.
1. Legalize marijuana within the city limits — Bringing close to $1Billion in annual revenue for the city via our heavy tourist population and resident population of over 500,000.
2. Creation of "Lit Zone". A city-run amusement park estimated to generate over $200 million in annual revenue.
3. Creation of The People's Market. A city-run health food market aimed at food deserts within the city limits. Estimated to generate a collective $500 million in annual revenue (based on a competitive report analysis)

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

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

Multi-Business Owner, Author, Coach, Philanthropist and non-profit founder. All at the age of 24. I am very wise only because I pray for wisdom and guidance on a daily basis. I walk with passion and my only true goal in life is to serve others.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Get busy and stop complaining. Everything you want in life, you have to go get it!

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

I am a people person and a natural-born leader who is ready to fight for the residents of Atlanta. We can and We will #ReclaimAtlanta & #StopFraudCity!