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Community Corner

Wan seeks re-election to District 6 Council seat

Atlanta City Councilman Alex Wan touts strong background, solid record 

Alex Wan, a long-time Morningside homeowner and civic leader, is seeking re-election to his Atlanta City Council District 6 post. In 2009 he bested five opponents, garnering 60 percent of the vote across a broad base of support.

In announcing his candidacy, Wan emphasized his deep roots in the community, long-time civic leadership, business acumen and his record during four years at city hall. 

“In 2009, I pledged to balance fiscal responsibility with effective delivery of city services as well as to protect our unique, diverse neighborhoods while supporting appropriate economic development,” he says. “While we have made great strides in the last four years and must continue along those trajectories, we still have work to do, including improving customer service, addressing complicated and frustrating delivery of city services like permitting and licensing, and finding the resources to make meaningful investments in our City’s aging infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, bridges). My background, experience and proven track record as your City Council member make me the best candidate for this job.”

Among the accomplishments Wan cites:

  • Expanding the police force to more than 2,000 officers and reducing crime by double-digit percentages;
  • Growing cash reserves from $7 million to approximately $130 million;
  • Passing sweeping employee pension reform, which lowered annual pension expense and addressed the previously estimated $1.5 billion unfunded pension liability;
  • Accomplishing these milestones with $100 million less General Fund revenues and with no increases in property taxes; and
  • Serving as a staunch and vocal supporter of the District’s neighborhoods, championing projects to improve quality of life, while fighting developments that would jeopardize communities.

Wan, is the first Asian American and first openly gay man to serve on Atlanta City Council. He is Director of Development for Emory University libraries, previously served as Director of Development for Jerusalem House, an HIV/AIDS non-profit focusing on housing, and, before that, was a successful entrepreneur. 

Raised in Atlanta and a Morningside homeowner for over 19 years, Wan was perhaps best known before his Council win for long-time community involvement, including service on the Atlanta Development Authority Board, for which he served as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair, and as the founder of the successful For the Kid in All of Us, an all-volunteer non-profit.
 
He holds a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Tech and a Finance MBA from Wharton Business School.

City Council District 6 encompasses much of Northeast Intown Atlanta, including Ansley Park, Atkins Park, Brookwood Hills (joins the district 01/01/2014), Candler Park (leaves the district 01/01/2014), Druid Hills, Lindbergh/Morosgo (joins the district 01/01/2014), Lindridge/Martin Manor, Midtown (part leaves 01/01/2014), Morningside/Lenox Park, Piedmont Heights, Sherwood Forest and Virginia-Highland.

For more information about Wan and his campaign: www.AlexWanForAtlanta.com.
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