Candidate Profile: Michelle Cooper Kelly For Marietta Mayor

MARIETTA, GA — Two candidates are running for Marietta mayor in the Nov. 2 municipal election, in addition to 11 city council candidates vying for six seats on Marietta City Council.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Michelle Cooper Kelly is running for Marietta mayor against incumbent Steve "Thunder" Tumlin.

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Party Affiliation

Nonpartisan

Family

William Kelly (husband), married 25 years; three kids (Trey - 20 Junior at North Carolina A&T State University), (Lauren - 19 Sophomore at University of Georgia), (Brooke - 15 Sophomore at Marietta High School)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health - North Carolina A&T State University

Master of Science in Environmental Management - Columbia Southern University

Occupation

Over 27 years of Corporate Business Experience.

Currently Sr. Resident Manager, Environmental Health, Safety & Security - Anheuser-Busch InBev (23 years)

Small Business Owner: Cooper-Kelly Properties, LLC

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Currently serve as Marietta City Councilwoman-Ward 6, 2nd Vice-President Georgia Municipal Association, Marietta High School Governance Board, former Marietta Housing Authority Commissioner

Campaign email

www.michellecooperkelly.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

It is important to keep Marietta Moving Forward and build upon our great history and success. A few years ago, the residents of Marietta voted overwhelmingly for term limits. Council members and the Mayor listened and set the mark at three terms (12 years).

Due to a technical issue, the limits did not apply to those terms currently being served. However, the sentiment behind the voters was clear. The Mayor himself said it best when the resolution passed, Marietta should allow a “changing of the guard” and “new innovative ideas and perspectives.”

I believe that I best represent new ideas and perspectives. The average age in the city of Marietta is 34 years old. We are a diverse population. I believe that I reflect and can best Move Marietta Forward 2021 and beyond.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Workforce affordable housing.

The average cost of a home in Marietta is $450,000. It is impossible for many of our seniors, teachers, public safety officers (police & fire), health care workers and young families to purchase a home in the city that they live, work and play.

As a city, we can use community development block grant (CDBG) funding to build stronger and more resilient communities that provides workforce affordable housing options. Matter of fact, many years ago Marietta used CDBG funding to purchase and renovate over 30 homes in the city and sold them as affordable homes.

What are your short- and long-term goals if you are elected?

Short term goals include the creation of an Under 40 Advisory Council to tap the voices and opinions of Marietta’s fastest growing population. Average Age in the city of Marietta is 34.

Long term goals include increasing Marietta’s transparency and ethics rules, strengthening our zoning ordinances and master plan to preserve neighborhoods and green space to ensure quality long term development.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I believe that the biggest difference between myself and my opponent is expressed in our campaign slogans. My desire is to "Move Marietta Forward" through economic development, smart growth, inclusion of our youth and young professionals, affordable workforce housing and transparency. I want to build upon our history and become greater as a city.

My opponent’s desire and slogan is to "Keep Marietta Marietta," which implies a resistance to change, inclusion, progress and improvement.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

As a member of the Marietta City Council, I believe the Council has worked well together at times. However, leadership has stalled by refusing to acknowledge and attempt to tackle many of Marietta’s more difficult problems like trash and parking on the Marietta Square, affordable workforce housing, pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Overall, Marietta did well in addressing COVID[-19]. I believe strongly in local control. COVID-19 called for strong leadership at the local level and advocating what is best for both the Marietta citizens and Marietta businesses. Taking a “let’s wait and see" approach is not leadership.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The remainder of my platform includes enhancing and strengthening our tie with the school system. Our city is only as vibrant as our entire school system and the school system only as strong as our city. As a past PTSA president and current member of the Marietta High School Governance Board, I believe that the Mayor and Council should do more to stay involved and promote all of our schools and factor their interests into our decision making.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

After two failed attempts to pass an open container ordinance, I championed the ordinance revision to allow for open container on the Marietta Square. The revised ordinance was vital for our square merchants and was crafted to protect the family environment of the square and maintain public safety and decorum.

I also pushed for keeping our taxes low and rolling back the savings to residents. As the digest increased, some wanted to use the funds for continued payments on the redevelopment bonds. I pushed to get that money back to the taxpayers.

What do you like best about living in your city (or county)?

Marietta is a big city with a small town feel and charm. My favorite part of Marietta is the celebration of history and art. As Chair of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, we offer a lot of engaging events on the square such as concerts in the part, art festivals, winter wonderland activities, Marietta Taste events and more.

Not to mention, how super proud I am of our state of the art parks. The Elizabeth Porter Park that I championed with other community stakeholders; received two awards for community engagement - All America City "Hall of Fame" and Visionary City.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

The best advice I received is to "Pay it Forward." Meaning reward someone with kindness, opportunity, mentorship, helping a neighbor, sharing your talent for the greater good of others. Be a good servant leader.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I bring a business background to the City Council. I am the only member of the City Council who has corporate level executive experience. I have a broad understanding and level of experience in budgeting, human resources, regulatory issues and legal issues. I believe Marietta has benefitted from that business background being applied to city government.

For the past 8 years while serving on City Council, I have held quarterly town hall meetings with my constituents. I am committed to continuing to hold town hall meetings and community forums with Marietta residents.