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Closing Comments from the July 26, 2022 BOC Meeting

Good afternoon, everyone:


A boy only turns 8 years old once. Therefore, with this in mind I would like to begin my comments today by giving a shout out to my good friend, my best friend Robert Magill Beard, affectionately known as Magill who turned 8 on July 15. I have known him since he was born, and he remains a kind spirited little boy. I will always be grateful to his parents, my dear friends John and Emily Beard for asking me to serve as Magill’s Godfather. And I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with the family in the future.

Magill and Commissioner Bradshaw
Magill, learning the fundamentals of the game of pool from "The Godfather".

On July 14 it was indeed an honor to join my friend and esteemed colleague Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson for the grand opening of the East DeKalb Senior Center. The project has been a long time coming. And I know all too well that projects like this don’t just happen.

It requires vision and persistence to make it happen. Therefore, I commend Commissioner Davis Johnson for having the fortitude to see this through. And this wonderful new facility will stand as a testament to her fortitude to be enjoyed by the citizens of District 5 and DeKalb County for many years to come.


On July 16 we held our Back-To-School Supply Drive on the campus of Clarkston First Baptist Church. This was done in partnership with Clarkston Mayor Beverly H. Burks,

School Board Chair Vickie Turner, and School Board member Dr. Joyce Morley. We were also supported by School Board Member Deirdre Pierce and incoming School Board Member Whitney McGinnis and Interim Superintendent Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley. It was so great to have this kind of collaboration among DeKalb County leaders.

At the Back-to-School Supply Drive with First Lady Angela Moore (live-streaming), Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, Vickie Turner, Pastor Karl D. Moore, Commissioner Bradshaw and Dr. Joyce Morley
At the Back-to-School Supply Drive with First Lady Angela Moore (live-streaming), Dr. Vasanne Tinsley, Vickie Turner, Pastor Karl D. Moore, Commissioner Bradshaw and Dr. Joyce Morley

I would characterize the event as a resounding success, and the numbers bear that out.

· We gave away 1,141 back packs with school supplies.

· We fed 700 people with hot dogs, hamburgers, and Italian ice.

· We distributed 500, 5-pound bags of fresh produce.

· We vaccinated 41 people and gave away $100 gift cards.


A success indeed.


Of course, an event of this magnitude does not happen alone. Our team had tremendous support from several community partners who included:


Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

CareSource

D.J. Sugar Bear

DeKalb Board of Health

DeKalb Community Service Board (CSB)

DeKalb County Chapter 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

DeKalb Human Services, Youth Division

DeKalb Mobile Farmers Market, Fresh on DeK

DeKalb Recreation, Parks & Cultural Affairs

DeKalb Sanitation Division

K.D. Moore Community Development Center, Inc.

Kappa Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc.

MedCura Health

Michey Italian Ice

National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., Stone Mountain-Lithonia Chapter

Operation Hope

Prevention Research Center at Georgia State University

Southern Chef Catering

The Gideons International


And I would like to thank our sponsors:


American Facility Services, Inc.

CareSource

Corporate Environmental Risk Management (C.E.R.M.)

Kaiser Permanente

K.D. Moore Community Development Corp.


Needless-to-say, I was overjoyed by this demonstration of support. And this underscores what can be accomplished when we come together.


Of course, I want to thank Pastor Karl D. Moore & First Lady Angela Moore of Clarkston First Baptist Church for graciously hosting us. The logistics went very well.

And of course, none of this would have been possible without the diligence of my District 4 team capably led by Chief of Staff, Alesia Brooks. We are already looking forward to next year. (See the pictures here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460969499178734&type=3)


Also, on that day we celebrated the grand opening of Station Soccer at the Kensington MARTA Station, and it was truly a wonderful celebration. I would like to thank Sanjay Patel from Soccer in the Streets, his entire team, and all our community partners for working so hard to make this idea a reality.

At the Grand Opening of StationSoccer at Kensington MARTA Station with Sanjay Patel
At the Grand Opening of StationSoccer at Kensington MARTA Station with Sanjay Patel

Many years ago, I was stationed in Germany, and the excitement that I would witness over the game of soccer was truly amazing. In the intervening years it has been great to see that excitement for this great sport migrate to the United States.

This new amenity in District 4 will allow for another outlet for recreation and fellowship for soccer fans of all ages. This is just one more step as we continue the drive toward revitalization of the entire area.


My office has obviously been supportive of this project. Not just with advocacy. But with financial resources as well. And I look forward to seeing happy children playing in the space for many years to come. (Check out the new facilities here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.460949182514099&type=3)


On July 21 it was great to attend the Rise ‘N Shine: A Breakfast to Champion Older Adults, which focuses on Equity in Aging. The event was hosted by National Church Residences Atlanta and featured a group of panelists who are experts in the field. The discussion was masterfully moderated by Beverly Burks, Regional Director of Philanthropy and Public Relations, who also happens to be the mayor of the great city of Clarkston. It was an honor for me to attend and lend my support for this important effort.

Mayor Burks and Commissioner Bradshaw at the Rise 'N Shine Annual Breakfast
Mayor Burks and Commissioner Bradshaw at the Rise 'N Shine Annual Breakfast

Later that day I was able to attend the graduation ceremony for the DeKalb County DUI Court. This is one of the accountability courts which my office has been supportive of. Getting through such a program is not easy. And I am truly inspired by the stories of those who persevere and make it through.


The guest speaker was our District Attorney Sherry Boston who delivered an encouraging message. I would like to thank Judge Kimberly K. Anderson, Judge Alvin T. Wong, and Judge Ana Maria Martinez for their outstanding administration of this program and for the invitation to attend.


On July 22 we held our regular Mayors Roundtable meeting. This is an initiative that I started several years ago to build better lines of communication and stronger relationships with our municipal leaders. The construct is informal which I believe induces a better flow of ideas between attendees. As usual we shared useful information and exchanged ideas on several important topics. I would like to thank the following individuals for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate: Avondale Estates Mayor Jonathan Elmore, Doraville


Mayor Joseph Geierman, Tucker Mayor Frank Auman, Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett, Brookhaven Mayor John Ernst and Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks. We will continue to hold these meetings on a regular basis for as long as the mayors see value in doing so.


On July 23 we held our third Quarterly in the Fourth Community Breakfast Meeting for 2022. This is also an initiative that I started several years ago to maintain an open dialogue with my constituents. This meeting was once again held virtually due to the ongoing threat of the pandemic. But I certainly do miss holding these meetings in-person. As usual we were able to share important information and answer thoughtful questions from the attendees.

Quarterly in the Fourth Community Breakfast Meeting Panelists
Quarterly in the Fourth Community Breakfast Meeting Panelists

I would like to thank Dr. Christy Hewling from Kaiser Permanente for providing us with a pandemic update. Likewise, I would like to thank our Budget Director, T.J. Sigler, and our Human Services Director, Damon Scott for providing informative presentations of their respective areas of responsibility. Additionally, I would like to thank Code Enforcement Director, Tim Hardy, and Captains Harden and McCown from our police department for being on hand to share information and answer questions. I am always appreciative of the support we get from our administration for these meetings.


I am hopeful that we will be able to conduct our October meeting in-person. But we will make that decision based upon the advice from our health professionals. More information will be available across our regular communications platforms. And I intend to continue to hold these meetings for as long as I remain in office.


If you have any questions or concerns, you may call my office at 404-371-4749 or visit my website at commissionerbradshaw.com. As always, I will conclude my remarks by thanking the citizens of District 4 and DeKalb County for affording me this opportunity to serve. It is indeed an honor.

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