This story has been updated. 

Decatur City Commissioner Scott Drake confirmed that he will not seek another term on the City Commission.

Drake, who has young children, said he found it increasingly difficult to balance his time as a father, a business owner and a public servant.

“It gets harder as they get older,” Drake said.

City elections will be held Nov. 5 and there are three seats on the City Commission ballot.

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Commissioner Drake has deep roots in Decatur. Drake is the son of former Decatur Mayor Walt Drake. He’s also a business owner with financial interests in the Decatur Pure Station and the Universal Joint restaurant.

Drake joined the Decatur City Commission in 2013, winning special election to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd. When he ran for his first full term, he drew two challengers and narrowly beat Eric Tumperi. Incumbents tend to be unopposed in Decatur elections.

As a commissioner, he was there for important moments in recent city history like the purchase of the United Methodist Children’s Home property, since renamed Legacy Park. He also wasn’t afraid to ask questions or vote in opposition to his colleagues when he felt it necessary. Last year he was one of only two “no” votes on an annexation that would bring 300 apartments into the city.

Commissioner Brian Smith was the other no vote. Smith disputed a report in the Atlanta Journal Constitution saying he was undecided about running again. Smith said he definitely is running. Mayor Pro Tem Tony Powers will also run for reelection.

“There’s some unfinished business,” Powers previously told Decaturish. “There are some things we need to do.”

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The 2019 elections are shaping up to be an interesting one. School Board member Annie Caiola recently announced she would resign in August, opening up a third seat on the School Board.

Her at-large School Board seat will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot along with the seats held by Garrett Goebel and Tasha White. Goebel isn’t running. White is.

Here are the rules for anyone who wants to seek a seat on the City Commission or School Board this year.

The Decatur City Commission officially announces the Call for the City’s General Election to be held in the City of Decatur, Georgia, on November 5, 2019 for three Decatur Board of Education members for four year terms of office, and three City of Decatur Commissioners for four year terms, such terms to begin at the organizational meeting in January 2020.

One City Commissioner from Election District 1, Post B

One City Commissioner from Election District 2, Post B

One City Commissioner from Election District at Large

One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 1, Post B

One Decatur Board of Education member from Election District 2, Post B

One Decatur Board of Education member, At-Large (Editor’s note: The election for this seat will be to finish Annie Caiola’s term. The winner of this election will have to run for another four-year term after serving a short two-year term.) 

DeKalb County will conduct this election at the following proposed precincts.

Note: precincts are subject to change.

Election District        District :         Polling Place for Election

Clairemont East               1                 : First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave

Clairemont West              1                 : The Church at Decatur Heights, 735 Sycamore Drive

Glenwood Precinct          1&2            : Holy Trinity Parish, 515 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.

Oakhurst                          2                 : Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 E. Lake Dr.

Ponce De Leon              1&2              : First Christain Church of Decatur, 601 W. Ponce de Leon Ave

Renfroe                             2                : Renfroe Middle School, 220 W. College Ave.

Winnona Park                   2                : Winnona Park Elementary School, 510 Avery St.

Each candidate will file notice of his or her candidacy and the appropriate affidavit in the office of the Election Superintendent at City Hall, 509 North McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia.  The opening dates for qualifying will start Monday, August 19, 2019 beginning at 8:30 A.M., and continuing until Wednesday August 21, 2019 at 4:30 P.M. The qualifying fee for City Commission office is $360.00 and the qualifying fee for Board of Education members is $35.00.

Registration for voting in the November 5, 2019 election will cut off on Tuesday, October 7, 2019.

For the November 5, 2019 General Municipal Election, the Absentee Poll will open 22 days prior to the Election

(October 14, 2019).  All Advance Voting (Absentee in person) will be held at 4380 Memorial Drive, Monday through Friday, 8:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., October 15, 2019 through November 1, 2019.  Questions concerning absentee voting, early voting or voter registration should be directed to DeKalb County Elections Division at 404-298-4020.

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