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There will be ongoing coverage of each race through Nov. 5.

To see all of our stories related to the Nov. 5, 2019 elections, visit: decaturishvotes.com

About this series: As part of our ongoing election coverage, we invited each candidate to submit up to three letters of support. Here are the letters in support of Lesa Mayer, who is running for the Decatur City Commission, District 2, Post B seat. 

 

Dear Decaturish,

On November 5th, I’ll be voting for Lesa Mayer for District 2, Decatur City Commissioner. I am confident that Lesa will be an effective and tireless advocate for all citizens of Decatur. She will bring a much needed perspective to Decatur’s city commission. I have lived in the City of Decatur since 1949. In 1984, I became the first African American to serve on the Decatur City Commission and in 1993 I became the city’s first African-American mayor. My time in public service taught me a thing or two about leadership. And for me the most important leadership skill is listening. From my first interaction with Lesa, she showed a commitment to listening to the concerns of Decatur residents. In every phone call and in every meeting, Lesa spends more time listening than talking. She is always smart, thoughtful and solution focused when problems are presented to her. I love her vision for Decatur. And I know all of her experiences, including being a mother to a toddler, tween, and a teen, will make her a strong, creative and inspired leader. I am thrilled to endorse Lesa and I know she is going to be a wonderful commissioner in this diverse community.

– Mayor Emerita Elizabeth Wilson

 

Dear Decaturish,

I want to encourage all Decatur District 2 residents (from Oakhurst, MAK district and Winnona Park) to vote for Lesa Mayer on November 5th. Lesa impressed me the day she stepped up to run for City Commission. She’s the mom of a toddler, tween and a teen and has a long-time career at SunTrust in risk management. She has so much on her plate, but she felt the strong call to serve in her city — to guarantee a voice for all Decatur’s citizens, no matter your age, income or race.

Lesa has made affordable housing for all and protecting and attracting diversity her main priorities in her campaign. She wants to insure that her neighbors who have lived in Decatur for 40+ years can afford to remain in their homes, and she also wants to find new and creative ways to provide housing opportunities for people who work in our city, those younger people who want to live here but can’t find affordable housing and those who are struggling to keep up with the higher cost of living in Decatur.

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Lesa has told me it’s her goal to work with commissioners, the school board, the development authority and zoning board to use a variety of tools to come up with solutions. We’re a small town of 25,000 people and 4.4 square miles. We have a city full of smart, resourceful people who love their community and want to see us be the best we can be.

Lesa’s commitment to smart growth and assessing if our infrastructure can meet current demands and be improved is another issue that’s important to me. I know Lesa will bring her full self to every meeting and will work hard to represent all the voices in Decatur. I wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy and invite my neighbors to vote for Lesa Mayer!

Remember, early voting started Oct. 14th and on Nov. 5th, District 2 voters will no longer vote at Renfroe Middle School—you’ll now vote at either Evergreen Baptist Church at 303 Fourth Avenue or Oakhurst Baptist Church at 222 East Lake Drive. You should have received notification by mail about your new polling location.

Sincerely,

Amy Marti

2017 Decatur Hometown Hero

Elder, Oakhurst Presbyterian Church

Past Member of the School Leadership Teams for College Heights, Winnona Park, FAve and Renfroe

Member, Beacon Hill Black Alliance for Human Rights

Girl Scout Leader

 

 

Dear Decaturish,

While Lesa and I have both lived in Decatur for over a decade and a half, I’ve had the pleasure of knowing her for about eight years. I’ve consistently found Lesa to be a caring, compassionate, intelligent, and thoughtful person, who is willing to listen to all sides of an issue. Aside from her warmth and kindness, my favorite thing about Lesa is that she always does what she commits to doing – always. As a fellow mother who works outside the home and volunteers as best I can, I highly value this quality in my friend, Lesa. Her tireless involvement in our community demonstrates that she is a person of service, integrity, and action. She truly wants the best for Decatur and its residents.

During her candidacy, Lesa has reached out to many Decatur residents to hear their thoughts and concerns about our beloved city. Based on those conversations as well as her own assessments, she has set and communicated clear priorities as a candidate.

I know she’ll serve the city’s residents with the same passion she exhibits in all her endeavors. My earnest and sincere belief is Lesa will be a true advocate for all District 2 residents. I wish Lesa the best on Nov. 5 and encourage my District 2 neighbors to cast their vote for Lesa Mayer.

Sincerely,

Christa Sobon

 

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Learn more about voting in the Nov. 5 election: 

Early voting in the Nov. 5 municipal elections in DeKalb County began on Monday, Oct. 14.

Numerous DeKalb County cities are holding elections, including Decatur, Avondale Estates and Tucker.

The closest early voting site for these residents will be at the Voter Registration & Elections Office on 4380 Memorial Drive, Suite 300 Decatur, GA 30032.

Early voting times are Monday through Friday, Oct. 14 through Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be no Saturday and Sunday voting in the municipal elections.

If you need to see a sample ballot, visit the Georgia Secretary of State’s My Voter page by clicking here. You can also find your polling place if you choose to vote on Nov. 5 instead of voting early.

You have to be 18 to vote. You will also need to bring one of the following forms of ID, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office:

– Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free ID Card issued by your county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS)

– A Georgia Driver’s License, even if expired

– Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority or other entity of this state

– Valid U.S. passport ID

– Valid U.S. military photo ID

– Valid tribal photo ID

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