Nationwide search begins to find new Atlanta police chief Back to the Polls

$750 million for infrastructure, Buckhead City on Republican ballot

also resurrected the “Pothole Posse” to quickly fill major holes scarring Atlanta’s streets.

A popular program started by former Mayor Shirley Franklin in the early 2000s, the new goal is for crews in the city’s Department of Transportation to fill 30 potholes per day.

Another item of note that will appear on some primary ballots is a question about Buckhead cityhood.

By Collin Kelley

A nationwide search is on the find a permanent replacement for Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant, who announced he will retire in June.

“Chief Bryant has answered our city’s call time and again, and I join all of Atlanta’s residents in owing him a debt of gratitude for his steady leadership,” said Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement. “I am thankful that the Chief agreed to stay on for my first 100 days as Mayor, and I have grown to rely on the Chief’s counsel during our daily meetings. We will miss the Chief’s leadership as he enjoys his well-earned retirement.”

This will be Bryant’s second retirement from the force. He was recalled to duty as interim chief in 2020 in the wake of Erika Shields’ resignation following the shooting of Rayshard Brooks by one of her officers.

Bryant originally joined the Atlanta Police Department as an officer in 1988. He was serving as interim chief of the Atlanta City Detention Center when he was asked to return after Shields’ departure. He was confirmed as chief by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms last May.

“I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve the city that I love and call home,” Bryant said. “As Mayor Dickens plans his leadership strategies for this great city, I believe it is essential that he and the City of Atlanta have a Chief of Police who is willing to serve throughout his term. I have so many great memories of my career. I could not be more thankful to be ending my career – again – with the City of Atlanta Police Department.”

The Atlanta City Council issued the following statement after the retirement announcement: “Over the course of his decorated career, Chief Bryant showed true dedication to the department and took on tough challenges facing our city. His leadership played a consequential and positive role in shaping the community, and he showed a passion and commitment toward keeping us safe. We are deeply grateful for his service to Atlanta.”

By Dyana Bagby and Amy Wenk

Mayor Andre Dickens is working hard to generate buzz and support for a $350 million transportation special local option sales tax (TSPLOST) and a $400 million infrastructure bond.

The referendums will be on the May 24 primary election ballot.

“TSPLOST 2.0,” as dubbed by Dickens, calls for extending the 4/10 of a penny sales tax approved in 2016. Dickens said that all of the money raised over the next five years would go toward repairing sidewalks, bridges, and roads.

If approved, the money from the infrastructure bond would fund public safety facilities, recreation centers, parks, and bicycle and transit lanes.

“With a $3 billion transportation need over the next 20 years, passing TSLPOST 2.0 would set the foundation to get us there,” Dickens said during his State of the City address in April.

The infrastructure bond will yield more than $400 million for capital projects, including three new or renovated fire stations; a public safety training facility; a Center for Diversion Services; and other public safety equipment and buildings, Dickens said.

Additional funding will go toward parks and playground improvements, bicycle and transit lanes, and safety lighting for roads, sidewalks, pathways, and trails, Dickens said.

“Taken together, that’s $750 million toward improvements across this city. That’s what I call super-charging city services,” he said. “But to make this happen, we need everyone’s support.”

In related infrastructure news, Dickens

The Buckhead City Committee, the group rallying for Buckhead to break off from Atlanta, said the question will read as follows: “Crime has dramatically increased throughout the country including in our capital city of Atlanta. Should the citizens of residential areas like the Buckhead community of Atlanta be allowed to vote to create their own city governments and police departments?”

The question will only appear for Georgia voters requesting Republican primary ballots. The results could give Buckhead City advocates a talking point to try to get action in next year’s Georgia General Assembly.

The effort to get a referendum on the November 2022 ballot, which would have let Buckhead residents vote on whether to form a new city, was blocked by Republican leaders at this year’s legislative session.