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Marguerite Belline, a local attorney, is running for Avondale Estates City Commission.

“This is an exciting time for Avondale Estates,” Belline said in her campaign announcement. “If elected, I will work to ensure that Avondale is a welcoming and safe community that is accessible to all generations.”

Her priorities are:

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-Building inclusive networks to help our community become stronger together

-Ensure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard and have access to public meetings

-Actively investigate safety issues on heavily-traveled roads throughout the city

-Explore housing opportunities for seniors and senior homestead tax relief

-Take a positive and informed approach to governance while proactively listening to all residents

“Avondale Estates is experiencing unprecedented growth with new apartments at the west entrance to our city,” Belline said in her campaign announcement. “As we grow and continue to welcome new neighbors, it’s a time to keep safety concerns of all residents a top priority. Any new development planning needs to include the long-term sustainability of our community in addition to environmental and economic interests. We also need to recognize that our land use decisions today may have impacts beyond our community boundaries and for years to come.”

Her business, The Belline Law Firm, is located in downtown Avondale. She specializes in immigration law and has practiced commercial litigation and landlord tenant law before starting her firm. She has an undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law.

“Since 2016, she has served on the Avondale Estates Board of Appeals,” her campaign announcement says. “Belline has volunteered with The Museum School of Avondale Estates (TMS) as PTO Treasurer, as a committee member of the TMS auction and co-chair and committee member of the TMS Explorer Dash. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), chair for the AILA’s GA-AL chapter’s Pro-Bono Committee and serves on the 2020 Chapter Conference Committee. She is also a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL) and the Lawyer’s Club of Atlanta.”

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Belline has a husband, Drew. She says they learned about Avondale Estates while attending a 4th of July party hosted by a resident.

“Captivated by the strong sense of community, her family moved to Avondale Estates in 2014,” her campaign announcement says. “Her in-laws, Louis and Wanda Belline soon followed in early 2016. Belline enjoys spending time with family, including her daughters ages 9 and 12, their three dogs, a cat and a horse.”

Voter registration for the Nov. 5 municipal elections will end Oct. 7. Early voting will start on Oct. 14. To register to vote, click here.

In order to register you have to be a U.S. citizen, a legal resident of a Georgia county and at least 17 1/2 years old. You must be 18 years old to vote, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

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