Politics

It's Election Day in South Fulton. Councilmembers Catherine Foster Rowell, Helen Z. Willis, Rosie Jackson and Mark Baker are up for re-election in their respective districts of 1, 3, 5 and 7. Rowell is challenged by Mathis Colquitt. Jackson faces Corey Reeves, Clyde Sampson and Duane McClain. Baker's opponent is Eric Richardson. Willis is the only incumbent that is unopposed. The Observer sent a candidate questionnaire to all incumbents and challengers. One incumbent and two challengers responded. See their answers here: Councilwoman Catherine Foster RowellCorey ReevesClyde Sampson Also on the ballot are two questions for residents in all of South Fulton's seven districts: Question 1: Shall the Act be approved which authorizes the City of South Fulton to utilize tax alloc...

City of South Fulton residents are set to vote for councilmembers in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7. Election Day is November 5 and early voting is underway. We reached out to the incumbents with a few questions to learn how they think they've performed and what they hope to accomplish if re-elected. All responses were sent to us electronically and have not been edited or altered in any way. Councilwoman Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell represents South Fulton's District 1. In addition to her elected duties, she also maintains  employment with Fulton County Schools as a School Liaison at A. Philip Randolph Elementary School. Q1: What has been your greatest achievement since being elected to the South Fulton city council? A1: Having sponsored/co-sponsored over 40 ordinances and resolutions fo...

Voters will have another opportunity to hear from candidates running in the District 5 city council race tonight. A forum will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Prince Hall Grand East (7490 Old National Highway). Councilwoman Rosie Jackson faces three challengers in the race: Corey Reeves, who lost to Jackson in the 2017 runoff by 39 votes, Duane McClain and Clyde Sampson. The candidates previously participated in a forum on October 17 at Friendship Community Church. Since then, Councilwoman Jackson has come under fire for distributing letters from the personnel files of terminated legislative aides during the event. Early voting for the District 5 city council race is underway, as well as for races in Districts 1, 3 and 7. All city of South Fulton residents, including those in even-numb...

Early voting for city council races in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 began this week ahead of Election Day on November 5. Two candidates are clashing over the qualifying criteria. Councilwoman Catherine Foster Rowell, the incumbent in District 1, submitted a challenge packet claiming that her opponent, Mathis Colquitt, does not live in the district, or in the city of South Fulton. After a review of the documentation submitted and testimony from both Rowell and Mathis, South Fulton’s city clerk, who also serves as the Superintendent of Elections, has ruled in Colquitt’s favor. The city of South Fulton’s charter requires that candidates for city council reside in the municipality for 12 months preceding the election, and in their respective district for six months prior to the qualifying p...

Former College Park Councilman Joe Carn will fill the seat of the late Emma Darnell. Of the 4,521 votes that were cast, he snagged 62.77 percent in the special election runoff against Gordon Joyner to become Fulton County’s newest commissioner in District 6. Carn addressed family, friends and supporters earlier tonight after learning of his win, promising “we’re going to do this together.” Among the supporters present for his victory speech were Mayor William “Bill” Edwards, State Senator Donzella James and Councilwoman Helen Z. Willis. "This seat is not about me, not by the farthest stretch of any imagination," he said. "This is a community seat." During his campaign, Carn said that he wants to address jail overcrowding, fund wraparound services to reduce recidivism and meet t...

Ahead of the city of South Fulton's general election on November 5 to select councilmembers in Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7, residents will have an opportunity to participate in early voting. Early voting will take place Tuesday, October 15 to Friday, October 25 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and Monday, October 28 to Friday, November 1 from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Saturday voting will take place on October 26 from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Sunday voting is not available. Early voting sites are throughout the county for general municipal elections in Fulton. Voters can select from: Alpharetta Branch Library; College Park Historical Building; East Point Branch Library; East Roswell Branch Library; Fairburn Library; Milton Branch Library; Park Place at Newtown; Roswell City Hall; South...