Dear neighbors,

It’s election time again and I am running for Mayor. If nothing were wrong I wouldn’t be running. As your Mayor, my goal would be to represent the best interests of the City of Avondale Estates and all of its citizens.

Service to the Avondale Estates Community

I have been active as a citizen volunteer for many years. I was appointed by the Board of Mayor and Commissioners to serve on the Planning and Zoning Board and on the Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan. I have attended and, where possible, participated in most of the DDA and BOMC meetings over the last several years. I research an issue and then express my views when I believe that offering them is in the best interests of our city. I believe my participation has created a positive impact on our community.

I am familiar with how our government functions and how to approach critical issues. You may remember me when the current mayor and several current commissioners were considering the annexation of the Avondale Mall property to our city to build a Wal-Mart. I conducted extensive research that I presented at several community meetings. My strong opposition to the annexation was founded in my careful examination of my research and listening to the opinions of others. During the Wal-Mart annexation process many of you received detailed emails from me outlining issues. Many of these emails provided important financial and other analysis that wasn’t provided by the city and were important in the final decision.

Service Outside of Avondale Estates

I have been a volunteer member of two YMCAs for the last fifteen years. I have served on both the East Lake and Decatur YMCA Board of Managers. I have served as co-chairman of the annual Partner with Youth campaign and as a member of the Chairman’s Roundtable. I am active as a volunteer at the Advanced Technology Development Center at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This is one of the best and oldest high-technology business incubators in the country. I have been an Entrepreneur in Residence during 2001 and 2005. I have been recognized as an ATDC Champion in 2004, 2005, and 2006.

Business Owner, Involved Citizen, Committed Father, Husband and Neighbor

I am a successful business owner and I have a seven year old daughter at home. Like you, I am very busy with family and work. Making the decision to run for public office was a difficult one, but because of the repeated actions of a few elected officials over several years, I felt compelled to run for office.

I Support a Quality, Fiscally Sound, Revitalization of Our Downtown

Let me state unequivocally that I support and will continue to work towards quality, fiscally sound redevelopment of our downtown area. Like most of you, I want a thriving, revitalized new downtown.

I want that revitalized business district without the specter of raising our residential property taxes and without risking our city’s financial reputation. I want the redevelopment to reflect and build on the characteristics that make our city unique. We want the best for our city. I would hold a developer to the high standard that has always exemplified our city.

Moving Avondale Estates Forward

As your mayor, I would work hard as part of the team of volunteers that will move Avondale Estates forward and help it to grow and at the same time retain its unique charm and character. Our mayor needs to include and represent all of our citizens in the business of the city.

We need critical thinking, financial analysis and proactive planning on the Mayors’ part. We need a Mayor that will fully communicate with fellow board members and citizens so that all parties can make informed and timely decisions based on shared information.

Safety, Lake and Parks Renovations

We need to fill the gap in our police protection so that when a crime occurs in our city there is a city detective to investigate and track the criminals down. We need to support the needs of our police force so that we are better protected.

We have an aging parks and recreation infrastructure impacting the quality of life in Avondale that needs to be addressed and revitalized during the next four years for the new generation of families we are experiencing in our city.

Lake Avondale is one of our most valuable assets. We need to prioritize funding and implementation of the new Lake Avondale Master Plan that our very talented Lake Committee volunteers recently produced.

We need to explore how to improve the educational opportunities for our young children and their parents which will benefit the entire community. As your Mayor I would be committed to work with all AE community organizations to identify opportunities to improve and support neighborhood schooling options.

I Need Your Help to Move Avondale Estates Forward

The next four years will be critical to our city’s finances, infrastructure and character. I would like to represent you in these matters.

There is much I believe we can do together as neighbors to insure that we build and maintain a sound, open and caring city government that provides safety, a sense of belonging, and opportunities for us to grow together in our community. I am seeking your help in that effort. I hope that you will vote for me on November 6th as your Mayor.

As always I welcome your comments and questions. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 404-292-1833 or ed@riekerformayor.org. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Ed Rieker