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SUMMARY OF COMMUNITY ACTION PARTICIPATION IN THE LAST 3 YEARS

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• Helped to get a new ethics law revised and passed in DeKalb County 

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• Served as an expert witness for Rep. Viola Davis' draft of the DeKalb Ethics Legislation.  The Ethics Referendum was passed with 87% of the vote.

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• Won an Appeal in the Supreme Court against DeKalb County related to an Open Meeting violation. The first private citizen eligible to seek penalties against government officials in Georgia.

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• President of Rainbow Homeowners Association

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• Lead the fight against cityhood in South DeKalb, and to improve county services

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• Leading the fight to require a MARTA referendum in Metropolitan Atlanta in order to extend the sales tax

 

• Leading the fight to require MARTA restore 70 bus routes it has eliminated for the last 9 months which was violated the law

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• Lead the effort to have cities disclose their contractors' salaries

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• Won an appellate legal decision in the Georgia Court of appeals which requires Courts to hold a hearing before denying a party’s court cost waiver

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Why are you running for this position? 

 

I am seeking to become the next State Representative House District 90 to provide honest, open, compassionate, accountable leadership and representation to my constituents.  I believe the central mission of government is to protect its citizens, to protect citizen’s natural rights, and to provide good and efficient central services.  I will work to establish and maintain legislative reform, independent oversight, accountability, and ethics to the county.

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As a dedicated community activist and a believer of government for and by the people, I have worked for several years to improve the quality of life issues at the local, county, and state levels.  I have actively spoken out about the DeKalb water bill issues; Flat Shoals bridge construction delays; crime, police and fire and rescue pay; education issues; lack of economic development; ethics and accountability issues; lack of oversight at the county leadership level; and social injustice. I led a four-year effort for responsible cityhood.

My passion, dedication, and efforts to inform, educate, and actively involve citizens in the government process have led me to write several recommendations for state and local government reform and several journal articles on education and planning.  I am a frequent speaker/presenter at BOC meetings, community forums, and the state capital.  I have contributed several op-eds to local newspapers including On Common Ground, Crossroads News, Decaturish, DeKalb Free Press, The Champion, Atlanta Daily World, Rolling Out, and AJC. Because of my work, I have appeared in several news stories including CBS News, and several local news stations and radio program including WABE and V-103.

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What are your qualifications for this office? 

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I am a 20 year resident of DeKalb County. I have worked in Fulton County government as a manager where I had to work with various agencies and departments.  I have a Bachelor's and a Master’s in Computer Science and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.  In addition, I am a Project Management Professional. I am very active in the community. I have been working on various community issues for several years and I have a breadth of knowledge that will allow me to hit the ground running to include everything from government reform, cityhood and county services, budget, tax structure, county pension, Marta, Grady, economic development, and the county charter.

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What kind of work do you do? 

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Professional. I am a university professor. I teach research methodology, education leadership, and computer technology courses. In addition, I am a technology consultant and Project Management Professional.  I have written various papers that have been presented at various conferences.   In addition to my professional work, I participate in my community as an activist and I also write various articles and Op-Ed pieces.

 

What are two or three things you’d like to do if you’re elected? 

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My top priorities include (1) advocate and legislate to ensure efficient and effective core government services to citizens, (2) to advocate for honest, ethical, transparent, and accountable government for residents, thereby restoring trust and dignity to the office, and (3) attract and retain small and large quality, profitable businesses to provide long-term jobs, training, desired products, and services.

My priority is to provide efficient and effective core government services and oversight through legislation, including public safety which includes increasing pay for police and fire and rescue, adding more police on the street, training, and accountability; advocating for legislation to reform code enforcement to be more responsive and effective; public transportation including advocating to fill DeKalb Marta board seats to assist in bringing better and more MARTA options to DeKalb County, especially to South DeKalb; to reform the county charter to add a residents bill of rights, and to create an independent inspector general office to protect rights of residents; advocate for a strong, independent Ethics Board; advocate for stronger oversight of Watershed Management; institute more credible and more reliable procedures to address the water meter problems and billing issues; and advocate for more Health inspections of foodservice businesses.

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Secondly, I will work to further streamline the business license and permit process to make counties more business-friendly.  I will work with the Economic Development Department to revisit strategies for attracting and retaining quality, profitable businesses to provide long-term jobs, training, services, and products.

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I believe implementing the actions above will put DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale on the path to making our communities a place where people are proud to live, attend school and church, work, shop, play, and stay, and attract both large and small businesses that want to relocate and remain.

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Why should voters choose you over your opponent? 

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I genuinely care about people and you can depend on me to always do the right thing.  I have been working on various community issues for several years and have a breadth of knowledge that will allow me to hit the ground running. Everything from government reform, cityhood and county services, budget, tax structure, county pension, Marta, Grady, economic development, and the county charter. In addition, I have worked as a manager in the district attorney office in Fulton county where I gained a great deal of knowledge in regards to the law, public safety, and the criminal justice system.  My knowledge and experience in regards to planning, management, and leadership will add value to the General Assembly.  Furthermore, my extensive computer technology background should help with oversight technology automation. 

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If elected, do you promise to conduct yourself in an ethical and transparent manner? 

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I will be ethical, transparent, and professional.  I will uphold the oath of office.  I will respond to constituents’ emails, phone calls, and concerns and make sure my office follows the State Open Records and Meetings Sunshine Laws. I will advocate for an annual independent audit and work to ensure the county budget is transparent, giving citizens the ability to link and trace all revenues and expenditures.

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I plan to advocate for efficient and effective core services, including increasing pay for police and fire and rescue, advocating for legislation to reform code enforcement, and bringing better service and more public transportation options. I will work to protect citizens’ rights, advocate for an independent Ethics Board, stronger oversight of Watershed Management, and reliable procedures to address water billing issues and a host of other issues.

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Ed Williams

Candidate for State Representative House District 90

vote4edWilliams@gmail.com

vote4edwilliams.com

(678) 304-7736