Click here for the Tucker Election Guide.

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

Watch the forums below or on our YouTube page.

City Council District 1 (Post 1)

• Roger Orlando | Campaign Website
• Karen Peters-Rivers | Campaign Website

City Council District 2 (Post 1)

• Patrice Cosby Campaign Website
• Cara Schroeder (story) | Campaign Website

City Council District 3 (Post 1)

• Sam Ulrich | Campaign Website.
• Alexis Weaver | Campaign Website

The post Watch: Tucker City Council candidate forums 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.

The highly emotional battle surrounding the construction of a 12-court pickleball complex at the Tucker Recreation Center took a hard left turn, as one council member accused another of addressing opponents’ concerns in a demeaning manner. 

Alexis Weaver, at the end of the Feb. 24 Tucker City Council meeting, said she was surprised by a fellow council member’s tone while addressing the people who oppose its construction.

During her remarks, Weaver did not mention the person by name, but after the meeting, confirmed to Rough Draft Atlanta that she was referring to statements made by Amy Trocchi, who spent more than 20 minutes speaking about the issue.

“I’m so sorry you [the opposition] would be so talked down to by these people,” Weaver said, adding that she felt affected residents “were intentionally excluded from decisions that were being made.”

Her remarks were greeted by hearty applause from about 50 attendees, most of whom appeared to be against the complex’s construction. 

Weaver’s remarks came after council member Trocchi, point by point, refuted some of the statements that have been voiced by public speakers who are opposed to its construction. She also asked residents to become more educated about the city beyond projects they oppose and said she believes pickleball is needed and necessary.

Trocchi, whose district includes the affected areas, said she supports the construction of pickleball courts for a less-served community – active older adults – but asked if city staff could research the costs involved with building the complex at Henderson Park instead.

Trocchi also apologized to Morgan Road residents for not incorporating their input earlier in the process, and forcing the group to advocate for themselves in an adversarial mannner.

At the Feb. 24 meeting, Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson recapped the timeline for the proposed courts, which had been under discussion for several years. 

The construction cost is one that detractors say would be a huge expenditure for an amenity that few Tucker residents want. In addition, residents on nearby Morgan Road, some of whose houses are close to the park, say the noise of play and traffic congestion will reduce their home values and their quality of life, and have threatened to initiate litigation against the city if the plan goes forward. 

Mayor Frank Auman said he believes that the concerns brought by project opponents – including traffic congestion, costs, and noise – have been addressed adequately, but emphasized that the project is still in the discussion phase.

As per established protocol at the city’s second meeting of the month, no public comment was allowed, but the 50 or so attendees at the meeting muttered amongst themselves during Robertson’s presentation.

At one point, Auman was forced to bang his gavel for silence while Robertson was discussing the proposed scope of the project and its budget.

The $3 million price tag includes improvements to TRC’s parking lot, which would widen the entrance and add 40 more slots to the already-existing 97. Sound-proofing the courts as recommended by a consultant Tucker engaged, could add another $50,000 to the bottom line.

Robertson also discussed the possibility of restricting open hours or mandating the use of soft paddles or balls during certain times.

Four existing outdoor pickleball courts, which are located at Rosenfeld Park, are open until 9 p.m., Robertson said, but council member Vinh Nguyan said several of those courts are deteriorating and sometimes unplayable. 

The indoor courts at TRC that are used for pickleball are time-restricted because they are also used for youth sports and other recreational purposes, Robertson said.

During a question-and-answer period between Robertson and the council, several members touched on the about specifics on the project, including how much has been allocated for stormwater retention, the court construction and lighting. 

Virginia Rece asked if the scope of the project could be reduced, and whether or not other measures could be taken to address the raised concerns.  

I think that continuing to look at ways that show the community that we are listening would go a long way,” Rece said. 

After the meeting, several members of the group opposing the complex said they applauded the fact that the council may be amenable to exploring other locations, including Henderson Park.

Shelia Daniel, a 23-year Morgan Road resident, said she was encouraged that ”another location is being considered.”

Other residents said they were glad that the council broached such subjects as reducing the scope of the project or mandating noise-mitigation solutions. 

In other action, the council voted 6-1 to opt out of a floating tax exemption that has been offered to municipalities under House Bill 581. 

Mayor Frank Auman said he would be voting against opting out, but “has no real strong feelings about it.” 

The council also:

• Approved on its consent agenda a revised contract for the Lake Erin Dam construction contract;
• Heard a preview about potential upcoming agenda items, including some zoning changes and financial reports;
• Promoted events surrounding Tucker Restaurant, which runs from Feb. 25 to March 2;
• Reviewed the final version of the city standard guideline book.

The post Tucker city councilor criticizes fellow member after pickleball discussion appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

The Tucker City Council unanimously approved three contracts at its June 26 meeting to make safety improvements on Fellowship Road and build trails and sidewalks on Hugh Howell Road.

The council awarded a $239,000 contract to R&B Construction to reduce the northbound lanes on Fellowship Road between the CSX Railroad Bridge to Lavista from two to one, restripe the northbound lane to allow for a left-turn lane from Fellowship onto Lavista, and install two landscaped islands.

In addition, the improvements will include the installation of a signalized pedestrian crossing south of the First Avenue intersection, and prohibit left turns at the Second Street intersection.

Councilwoman Alexis Weaver thanked the city for funding the improvements.

“Super, super excited. I think I have heard more about this intersection than anything else,” Weaver said. “One of the things that I really appreciate about this is that you gave consideration to this because we have given you a lot of feedback on District 3 improvements.”

She also said the new crosswalk will be greatly appreciated by neighbors who want to walk to downtown Tucker rather than drive.

Tucker City Engineer Ken Hildebrandt said the project will take about a month, and is expcected to be complete by fall.

The council also awarded a $1.02 million contract to 9 Yards Infrastructure to continue the second phase of the Hugh Howell Trail. 9 Yards Infrastructure was the lowest of the 14 bids submitted, Tucker Engineer Jack Smith said.

The concrete trail will be 10 feet wide with a five-foot grass strip, according to documents included in the council’s information packet. 

The trail will consist of two segments: a 750-foot segment in front of the Crespac, Inc. packaging facility, and a 1,900-foot section that extends the existing trail at Marthasville Court to Stratmor Drive.

Finally, Azimuth Contractors was given a $360,000 contract to build a sidewalk on the north side of Hugh Howell Road from Lawrenceville Highway to Mountain Industrial Boulevard. 

The sidewalk will be widened to 10 feet from Tucker Industrial to Mountain Industrial as it joins the trail network. Hildebrandt said 15 bids were received for the project.

All three projects are being funded using 2024 capital improvement monies, Hildebrandt said.

In other action, the council listened to a presentation by TSW on developing signage standards for the city’s wayfinding and public spaces. There will be three opportunities for the public to offer input: in-person at a kick-off meeting on July 17, Aug. 2 at the First Friday Concert, and an online survey that will be launched on July 10.

The council also:

• Awarded a contract to Incisive LLC to develop a communications strategic plan. Incisive is also developing a marketing pitch deck for the city. 
• Approved a new fee structure for capital improvement projects, as dictated by a recently passed state law.
• Heard that fiscal year 2024 expenses and revenue are on target.
• Talked about this year’s July 3 Celebration of Independence festival. Several downtown streets will be closed starting at 6 a.m. that day, but businesses will remain open. The festival begins at 6 p.m. with fireworks commencing when dark falls.
• Retired to executive session for personnel, real estate and litigation purposes. No action was taken after the session.

The post Tucker City Council votes to fund street, trail improvements appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.