Farokhi told the AJC that the timing was deliberate in order to prevent an incumbent candidate in the November open race from gaining an advantage.
He stated that if we had previously appointed someone, it might have been someone who wishes to run for the position and (who) would appear on the ballot as an incumbent.
Those who would like to fill Farokhi’s vacancy can submit a declaration of interest and resume until August 27. The other council members will then have 30 days to fill the position.
However, Farokhi has already requested that his colleagues think about hiring Carden Wyckoff, a well-known accessibility advocate who lives in Midtown and has experience with local government.
In addition to being a member of the MARTA Riders Advisory Council and chair of Atlanta’s Human Relations Commission, Wyckoff is regularly engaged by council members seeking to increase adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act in local infrastructure.
Farokhi stated, “I believe she would bring a remarkably important fresh set of eyes to policymaking at City Hall.”
The main topic of discussion in City Hall has been the city’s dearth of pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. Two pedestrian deaths recently happened on Peachtree Street in Midtown, just a few blocks apart.
Additionally, despite council members passing legislation calling on the city’s Department of Transportation to give safety measures a priority in new construction, these project upgrades have been halted.
Candidates must be at least eighteen, a registered voter in Atlanta, and have lived in District 2 for a minimum of one year in order to be considered for the seat. Applicants must not be city workers.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution is credited.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution is credited.
Cascade Road construction spurs frustration
Last month, irate business owners along Cascade Road started to voice their concerns about how incomplete infrastructure improvements along the corridor have reduced foot traffic and resulted in a sharp drop in patronage.
After a petition urging the city to create a $8 million recovery fund received over 1,000 online signatures, the mayor and representatives from Invest Atlanta met with company owners last week to talk about the problem.
Even Mayor Andre Dickens’ mentor and supporter, U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, joined business owners in putting pressure on the city to give the years-long project first priority.
ATL DOT responded by announcing this past weekend that it will increase the pace of construction on Cascade Road Complete Streets to a 24-hour work schedule.
Dickens, a resident of southwest Atlanta who is running for reelection this year, often stops by the Cascade Road establishments, particularly during election season.
When the council authorized almost $21 million in road upgrades for the three miles of Cascade in 2021, Dickens was also a member. However, the project is still far from finished after four years.
Residents in other parts of the city express dissatisfaction with the delayed completion of projects that have been authorized by voters. Significant infrastructure improvements that were financed by the Renew Atlanta or Moving Atlanta Forward bond programs have not yet been finished in any of the neighborhoods.
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[email protected] is credited.
[email protected] is credited.
