Click here for the Tucker Election Guide.

The forums were hosted by Rahul Bali of WABE. Questioners were Cathy Cobbs of Rough Draft and Delaney Tarr of SaportaReport.

Here are the candidates for Tucker Mayor:

• Anne Lerner (story) | Campaign Website
• Noelle Monferdini (story) | Campaign Website
• Beverly E. Williams (story) | Campaign Website

The post Meet the candidates: Tucker mayoral election forum appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

On Oct. 6, WABE’s Rahul Bali moderated the forums devoted to the Tucker mayoral, District 1, 2, and 3 posts, races, less than a month away from Election Day on Nov. 4. Cathy Cobbs, Rough Draft’s managing editor, and SaportaReport’s Delaney Tarr posed questions on hot-button issues like Tucker’s pickleball court developments, council relations with a new mayor leading the charge, and whether a dedicated police department in Tucker is the right next move for the city.

Tucker candidates got candid about everything from council civility to the possibility of a police department during Rough Draft Atlanta’s virtual Tucker Mayoral and City Council Candidate forum on Oct. 6. 

Pickleball volley 

Mayoral candidates Beverly Williams, Anne Lerner, and Noelle Monferdini all shared their desires for more community engagement when new developments, like a proposal to build pickleball courts, come along. Lerner said the contentious months-long debate became more about “politics and personalities” at one point, but she said as mayor she would ensure that all constituents would be heard and respected ahead of a major decision, unlike the previous plan to build pickleball courts at Tucker Recreation Center.

Monderfini added that as mayor she would encourage council to explore more options other than pickleball, mentioning indoor pools and youth recreation.

“We need to go back to the parks’ master plan and let our citizens decide,” she said.

Williams said communication and transparency could be improved for the next council and the mayor.

“We didn’t do a good job of communicating with the neighbors,” Williams said, adding that sending emails, making calls and going door-to-door would’ve been the best means of communicating with the community members.

During the District 3 forum with incumbent Alexis Weaver and contender Sam Ulrich, the pair discussed the pickleball issue and their commitments to Tucker. Weaver, who has lived in Tucker for 13 years, mentioned that affected residents were “intentionally left out of the conversation” about pickleball. 

“You know, one of the issues behind the pickleball was that even though there was a contract that required community engagement, that didn’t happen,” she said during the forum. “…The lessons learned are we should uphold the commitments that we say we are going to uphold as a city.”

Related story:

• Study says a Tucker Police Department could match or exceed DeKalb services

Parks plans

Ulrich, who has lived in Tucker for eight years, agreed that community involvement needs to be a priority. He added that the next mayor will have “pretty big shoes to fill” stepping in for the city’s first and only mayor, Frank Auman.

“They are also [going] to be guided by the master plan for the paths, the parks and all of these other things in our charter,” Ulrich said.

District 2 incumbent Cara Schroeder and competitor Patrice Cosby discussed future parks plans during their forum. Schroeder noted that if re-elected, she would continue to shepherd beautification projects along Lawrenceville Highway.

 “I have been focused also on Johns Homestead Park and making sure we have the resources to do that project,” she said. “It is underway and should be finished next spring, summer.”

Plans to improve and grow the city’s recreational services have been stalled, Cosby said during the forum. Her goal would be to expedite those plans if elected.

“The city is crying out for rec center and services,” Cosby said, “So, that would be my number one thing at city council is to get the rec center, and the overhaul plan for that moving forward.”

Tucker Police?

District 1 incumbent Roger Orlando and contender Karen Peters differed on their vision for handling emergency response times and crime issues in Tucker. Orlando, who said he is running for the last time, cited the Tucker CID feasibility study as proof that a city police department is needed.

“Having attended 95-plus percent of the DeKalb County crime briefings, the response times, both to the public’s perception and to the statistics, leave something to be desired,” he said. “The feasibility study by the Northlake-Tucker CID showed that it might be economically feasible.”

Peters, who is a lifelong Tucker resident, said looking at the cost of adding K-9 units and a brick-and-mortar building to Tucker doesn’t seem viable. Tucker residents are currently paying about $15.9 million in taxes for police services, according to DeKalb County police officials. The CID feasibility study estimates that a city-run department could be launched for about $10.7 million.

“I feel like DeKalb is doing a great job right now,” Peters said. “I personally don’t feel that a police station is what we need right now.”

Watch a replay of the entire Rough Draft mayoral and city council forum here.

The post Candidates at Tucker forum differ on need for dedicated police department, pickleball process appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Several surprise candidates have thrown their hats into the ring during Tucker’s city council and mayoral contest qualifying period, including two mayoral candidates looking to upend favorite Anne Lerner.

Click here for our Tucker Election Guide

When qualifying ended Thursday, Aug. 21 at 4:30 p.m., former city council member Noelle Monferdini and Beverly Williams, a frequent speaker at council and community meetings, both qualified to run against Lerner.

Frank Auman, who has been Tucker’s only mayor in its short tenure as a city, is term-limited and cannot run again.

Monferdini, who served on council from 2016 until her term ended in 2023, filed documents indicating her intention to run for office on June 30, and her campaign disclosure report on Aug. 18. Williams filed her paperwork on Aug. 19.

Monferdini, in a statement to Rough Draft, said she believes that “local government exists to serve its people, being the first place you turn when issues arise and ensuring community engagement in every decision.”

“Over my eight years on the Tucker City Council, I’ve embodied those values by meeting in your homes, listening to your concerns, and delivering your voice on the dais where it mattered most,” she continued.

Monferdini said she will ensure Tucker’s future is shaped by you and through transparent government, active engagement, and policies that reflect our shared values.”

More about Monferdini can be found on her campaign website.

Williams, in a flyer sent to Rough Draft, said “Tucker has been a strong, vibrant community built by its residents, families, and small businesses. What makes Tucker special is not just our neighborhoods or schools, but the people who have worked together to create a place we are all proud to call home.”

Williams said she is running for maybe because she believes in serving all of Tucker—not just part of Tucker.”

Her platform espouses putting residents first, fostering open communication, protecting neighborhoods, investing in youth, honoring Tucker’s roots, and updating the comprehensive plan to reflect the needs and values of families.

Williams can be reached at votebeverlyformaylor@gmail.com.

Both Williams and Monferdini will have an uphill battle against Lerner, who declared in her June 30 campaign donation disclosure report about $34,000 in donations and $14,000 in expenses, leaving her with a war chest of more than $20,000. Monferdini listed $620 in donations, and Williams has not yet filed her disclosure form.

WiFor the District 1, Post 1 seat, Karen Peters-Rivers is running against incumbent Roger W. Orlando, who in his latest disclosure report had raised $77,000 with $49,000 in expenses. The two ran against each other in 2021, with Orlando prevailing.

For the District 2, Post 1 contest, incumbent Cara Schroeder will face Patrice Cosby, who made her declaration public on Aug. 19. In 2023, Cosby ran for the District 2, Post 2 seat that was won by Vinh Nguyen.

“I decided to run because I believe Tucker deserves leadership grounded in integrity, accountability, and meaningful action,” Cosby told Rough Draft. “The Patrice Promise is my commitment to serve with purpose, ensuring every voice in our community is heard and respected. I’m focused on clear communication, transparency in city leadership, and fostering true diversity so our elected officials truly reflect the people of Tucker.”

Cosby said she’s ready “to bring honesty, fairness, and collaboration to the city council.” Her email address is votepatrice@gmail.com

In the District 3, Post 1 race, Sam Ulrich, an outspoken supporter of the plan to build a pickleball complex at Tucker Recreation Center, will face incumbent Alexis Weaver.

“I am running for city council because I believe Tucker needs leaders committed to bringing our community together,” Ulrich said in a statement to Rough Draft. “My campaign is focused on championing a collaborative culture, where respectful dialogue leads to decisive action for the good of all.

I am committed to building an inclusive future where Tucker’s rich diversity is not just recognized, but actively protected and celebrated, ensuring everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered,” he continued. “I will use my professional background in finance to ensure responsible financial stewardship, analyzing every dollar to provide a strong return on investment for our taxpayers.

Ulrich said he is also dedicated to investing in the community with projects like the Tucker Path “to create a vibrant, connected city for our small businesses and residents.”

More information about Ulrich can be found here.

Rough Draft has reached out to Peters for information about her campaign.

Click here for our Tucker Election Guide

The post Surprise candidates qualify for Tucker city council, mayor appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Cara Schroeder, Tucker’s mayor pro tempore and current city council member, has officially announced her campaign for reelection to District 2, Post 1.

Schroeder who took office in January 2022, is seeking a second term to continue advancing her platform of transparent governance, public safety, smart growth and the preservation and improvement of the city’s parks and greenspaces, according to a release about her candidacy.

Running under the campaign theme “Staying on Track: Leading Tucker Forward,” Schroeder is emphasizing her record of “thoughtful leadership and collaborative progress across the city.”

“Tucker is a dynamic city built on strong neighborhoods, shared values and civic pride,” Schroeder said. “With experience, community trust and a clear vision, I’m ready to keep working for the people of District 2 and help our city move confidently into the future.”

“Good leadership means listening, collaborating and planning with purpose,” she continued. “I believe Tucker deserves leaders who not only act, but also engage the community every step of the way.”

Schroeder, who said she is a committed advocate for safety and community well-being, will continue to champion robust public safety measures.

She said she strongly supports DeKalb County’s recent investments and leadership changes in police and fire and rescue services, and she maintains a close working relationship with the Tucker Police precinct.

Schroeder co-led the city’s public works referendum and has supported significant infrastructure enhancements, including sidewalk expansions and traffic-calming projects, according to the release.

She played a key role in updating Tucker’s Comprehensive Master Plan and is currently working on the 2024 update to its Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

Schroeder has also:

• helped shape the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDSP), a project marked by inclusive participation from residents, business owners and civic organizations;

• prioritized improvements to Tucker’s parks and recreation offerings and supported trail upgrades, new playgrounds, boardwalk installations and enhancements to the Tucker Recreation Center;

• supported initiatives to expand accessibility and improve infrastructure such as sidewalks and parking at park sites;

•  led efforts to develop and pass Tucker’s Non-discrimination Ordinance, a policy aimed at ensuring inclusivity and fairness for all residents;

A Kansas native and Tucker resident since 1997, Schroeder has a long history of civic engagement, the release said.

She is a founding member of Friends of Tucker Parks and has served on multiple advisory boards, including the Tucker Planning Commission and Community Council.

In 2008, she founded Schroeder Resources, providing fundraising services to nonprofits including Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), Scottdale Early Learning and the Wylde Center.

The Georgia General Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 4. Tucker voters will elect a new mayor, as the city’s first and only mayor, Frank Auman, is term-limited. Also on the ballot will be three city council representatives.

Qualifying for these offices will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 18 and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21.

Former Tucker City Council Member Anne Lerner recently revealed in an exclusive interview with Rough Draft her intention to run for mayor.

For more information about Schroeder, visit her campaign website.

The post Cara Schroeder announces bid for reelection to Tucker City Council appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Frank Auman, who is term-limited, has been Tucker’s only mayor in the city’s nine-year history.

“It’s crucial that our next mayor understands our community, our cityhood journey and the solid foundation our city leadership has built,” Lerner said. “And it’s also crucial our new mayor has a strong sense of Tucker’s potential and the know-how, relationships and determination to get us there.”

Lerner, a 28-year Tucker resident who was instrumental in the push for cityhood, has decades of community experience, serving in multiple capacities, including as a board member for Leadership DeKalb, Tucker-Northlake CID Master Plan Steering Committee, and the Tucker Civic Association.

She is the public affairs director for one of Tucker’s largest employers, Georgia Transmission Corporation, working with elected officials and communities across the state. 

During her tenure on the council, Lerner spearheaded efforts to shut down illegal massage businesses, championed a ban on urban camping, helped obtain additional park land for the city, including the bee habitat at Tucker Nature Preserve, the waterfall at Henderson Park, Tucker Town Green, Fitzgerald Field and Church Street Green Space.

Lerner also helped coordinate community education efforts to establish public works and storm water services, and was instrumental in developing the city’s non-discrimination ordinance.

Since leaving the council, Lerner has continued to serve the Tucker community, which she feels is key to making a smooth transition to the mayoral position.

“Tucker has remained my priority,” she said. “I’ve stayed engaged with the community.” 

Lerner said she has been conducting “a Lerner Listening Tour, whether shopping in the grocery aisle, volunteering in our parks, walking on Main Street or gathering in Tucker living rooms, backyards and businesses.”

“I’ll continue using this time on the campaign trail to listen and learn from you, our residents and business community,” she said.

Lerner’s priorities, if elected, include:

• Working closely with DeKalb County to ensure proper 911 response times, as well as ensuring Tucker Precinct police officers are focused within the city’s 20 square miles, “not just the larger footprint the precinct covers;”
• Creating a stronger connection between neighborhoods, the DeKalb Police, and city leadership to maintain safe, vibrant neighborhoods in all parts of Tucker;
• Working directly with the city’s two Community Improvement Districts (Tucker-Northlake and Tucker- Summit) to address car break-ins, loitering and panhandling, and other disturbances;
• Continuing to creating a strong downtown center that attracts quality and self-sustaining businesses;
• Investing in the city’s infrastructure, including roads and stormwater, to ensure proper funding for maintenance;
• Developing a strategy from the city’s housing studies, the current ULI Atlanta Technical Assistance Panel findings, and other available resources, to ensure citizens can grow up and age in-place in Tucker;
• Continuing the work of Tucker Civic Association to incorporate the seven principles of Lifelong Communities into the city studies and plans;
• Evaluating the city’s current parks and recreation system to ensure balanced services and activity opportunities while preserving natural spaces;
• Analyzing current programming housed at Tucker Recreation Center and other locations to make decisions that will serve the community now and into the
• future.

Lerner taught English and social studies for a decade at Stone Mountain Middle School and remains a mentor to former students. She and her husband, Ted, live in the Winding Woods neighborhood. Her campaign website can be found here.

The post Exclusive: Anne Lerner announces run for Tucker mayor appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.