JONESBORO — Three of four Clayton County Board of Commissioners chair candidates debated Tuesday, March 26 during a forum held at the Clayton County International Park’s Lakeview Event Center.
Candidates attending the forum were Alieka Anderson, Terry Baskin and Geffry Tate. Felicia Franklin Warner was absent from the forum.
All four candidates are Democrats and there are no Republicans, so the winner of the May 21 primary will be new county commission chair.
A runoff election — if required — is scheduled June 18.
The position is going to be open since Chair Jeffrey Turner is running for Clayton County sheriff.
Anderson recently resigned as District 1 commissioner to run for chair, while Franklin is the District 3 commissioner. Anderson is also a former Clayton County Board of Education member.
Terry Baskin was the longest-serving and the first African-American tax commissioner in Clayton County history as he served from 2004 to 2022.
Tate is one of the founding partners of the Community Reach Inc. non-profit and Elizabeth M. Designs, a clothing manufacturing company in Clayton County.
He also is Greater Purpose Ministries senior pastor.
The Clayton County Youth Commission hosted and moderated the forum.
What are your top three priorities?
Alieka Anderson said she had several top priorities but her top three are economic development, beautification and affordable housing.
Tate’s top three priorities are bringing cohesiveness to the Board of Commissioners, allowing each government body in the county to work together for the people and to bring resources into the county that will elevate Clayton County.
Baskin’s top three priorities are public safety, economic development and having community-centered government (such as moving public comments back to the beginning of commission meetings).
How will you balance the budget so the burden…
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