Jonathan Elmore

Jonathan Elmore moved to Avondale Estates in 2007 and didn’t realize how attached he’d become to his new home.

“Avondale is special,” Elmore said in a press release. “We thought we were buying a house, not changing our lives. I am running for Mayor of Avondale Estates because Avondale is a great community and we feel lucky to live here.”

Elmore grew up in Georgia, living in Jeffersonville and Macon. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1990 and Clemson University in 1995. He holds a master’s degree in architecture and currently works as an architect. His wife is Tamara, and his kids attend The Museum School.

Elmore is one of five candidates working to replace former mayor Ed Rieker, who resigned in October to take a university teaching job. Rieker was one of the biggest supporters of The Museum School, an acclaimed institution that he helped bring to the city.

Decaturish asked Elmore what his plans are if he is elected as mayor. He said he is in the “listening and learning phase” of his campaign. He wants to meet more people and understand their positions on issues like annexation and the development of the Fenner Dunlop property.

“I think we have a good commission,” he said. “I think we have a great city manager. At first, it’s going to be working with them. … I will be formulating more of a position as we move forward. Right now I feel it’s important to meet as much of a cross section of our community as we can and hear what they have to say. If you’re going to be mayor, you have to represent.”

Elmore also stressed that tone will be an important part of his leadership style.

“One overarching thing that I want to emphasize is being positive, being respectful in all of our dealings, whether it’s me as a person during the campaign or, if I do get elected, keeping things positive, keep things in perspective,” he said. “The reason I’m running for mayor is we’ve got a great community. We have three kids, we plan on staying here for a very long time. I want to try to do my part to make sure that continues. Part of this is making sure we keep what we have.”

The other four candidates are:

– Paul Brown

– Jim Hutchens

– John Pomberg

– Todd Pullen

Decaturish plans to interview Pullen to learn more about his reasons for running and plans if elected mayor. The special election will take place on March 17. Early voting begins Feb. 23 at the DeKalb County Elections Division, 4380 Memorial Drive, Decatur, Georgia 30032.

The city of Avondale Estates is planning a candidate forum. The date has not been set, but it will likely be in February, City Manager Clai Brown said.