Good afternoon, everyone:
Today, in honor of Women’s History Month I would like to begin my comments by acknowledging the amazing women of the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners whom I have the great privilege of serving with. Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, Commissioner Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, and Commissioner Michelle Long Spears. All of you are highly accomplished and dedicated public servants. And observing you in action makes me better at this job. Thank you for your service to DeKalb County.
Likewise, I would like to acknowledge the amazing women of the District 4 team: Carrie Kordys, Robin Flieg and Alesia Brooks. As I have said on many occasions it would be impossible for me to discharge the duties of this office without their loyalty and support.
In addition to being talented and wonderful women, they are also amazing human beings. I consider myself very fortunate to have these ladies in the foxhole with me.
As we continue to promote our 50 Men to Mentors Campaign, it was an honor to participate in a recruitment event at Clarkston First Baptist Church on February 28. Again, I want to thank Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta CEO Kwame Johnson and his entire team for their professional execution of this process. And I want to thank Pastor Karl D. Moore for allowing us to use his facility and for being an excellent partner in the process. More information about this initiative is available across our communications platforms.
On March 1 it was great to join my friends with the Tucker Summit CID for a business mixer at Pontoon Brewing Company in Tucker. The event was well attended and provided a great opportunity to network with both business and government leaders in the Tucker area. I want to thank and commend Tucker Summit CID Executive Director Emory Morsberger for the great work that they are doing in our community and for the invitation to attend.
On March 3 it was a great honor to attend the retirement ceremony for Judge Mark Anthony Scott. After so many years of distinguished service on the bench it was indeed a wonderful tribute to a great jurist and a good man. I hope that Judge Scott enjoys his well deserved retirement. But, I have a feeling that we will all being seeing him again sometime soon.
On March 9 it was such a joy for me to participate in the Student Career Day and Parent Job Fair activities at Dunaire Elementary School. I want to thank Principal Dr. Sean Deas and his entire team for the kind invitation and for making me feel so welcome. I also want to thank them for the valuable service that they are providing to our community.
I really enjoyed engaging with Ms. Denton’s 3rd grade class. I never ceased to be amazed by the inquisitiveness of these young people. The array of questions from them ranged from how much money I make, to if I was afraid when I was in combat, to if I wanted to be President of the United States.
But my favorite question was what is my dream, meaning, what would I like to do if I could do anything. I responded by saying that it would be cool to go into space and perhaps land on the moon and see what the full earth looks like from there. After the session, a cute little 3rd grade girl came up to me and said that she would like to go to the moon too. To which I responded if I live long enough perhaps we can go together.
I was also thrilled to learn about the Dunaire Elementary Community Advocates Café and the many resources that it provides for families in the area. The fact that translators are available in multiple languages is a testament to their commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, not just for the students but for their parents as well.
Needless-to-say, it was an entirely enjoyable experience for me. If I could spend more of my time doing things like that I might be in a better mood more often. Perhaps I should direct my staff to make that happen.
Later that day it was great to join my friends in Decatur for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the inclusive and accessible playground equipment at Legacy Park. Some time ago I was honored to produce and sign a support letter which facilitated the City of Decatur being able to access Community Development Block Grant Funds to help make this a reality. I want to thank and commend Decatur Mayor Patti Garrett and the entire city leadership for their persistence in making this happen.
That evening it was great to join the Board Members of the Wade Walker YMCA for their monthly meeting. As many of you know the food pantry that is housed there is very close to my heart. In that meeting I was happy to announce that I intend to allocate an addition $50,000 from my discretionary ARP funds to help them continue to meet the needs of our community. I want to thank Executive Director Lorna Loh, Board Chair Jacqui Steele and the entire board and staff for their dedication and commitment to this project.
On March 12 it was an honor to join my friend Pastor Dr. Phil Schroeder and the entire congregation at Dunwoody United Methodist Church for their worship service. I wish to thank everyone for making me feel so welcome and I look forward to returning in the future.
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.