Committee for a Better Atlanta Readies for 2017 Elections Business group to evaluate candidates and educate voters on key issues Atlanta, Georgia – The Committee for a Better Atlanta (CBA)
Committee for a Better Atlanta Readies for 2017 Elections
Business group to evaluate candidates and educate voters on key issues
Atlanta, Georgia – The Committee for a Better Atlanta (CBA) announced its leadership team and on-going plans to engage in the 2017 election cycle. The non-partisan coalition is focused on educating Atlanta mayoral and city council candidates on the issues of importance to the local business community. Another of the coalition’s goals is to inform city voters of candidate policy positions, specifically those issues critical to fostering a growing economy and livable community. The coalition, as it has in previous election years, is growing new members to add to its existing membership roster. At present, the Advisory Board totals more than a dozen individual companies and business organizations. Civic leaders Steve Hennessy and Erica Qualls-Battey will co-chair the initiative through the end of 2017. “Ensuring that Atlanta’s business climate is conducive to economic expansion and job growth is vitally important to the city’s corporate and entrepreneurial communities,” said Steve Hennessy, Dealer Principal, Hennessy Automobile Companies. “We look forward to working with local candidates to inform and shape public policy from the get-go so that Atlanta continues to be a desirable city in which to work and live.” “Atlanta is a vibrant city which has experienced exponential growth of global business and leisure travelers,” said Erica Qualls-Battey, General Manager, Atlanta Marriott Marquis. “We want to ensure that our hometown remains an inviting destination for visitors and future employees alike.” Over the course of the year, CBA will encourage candidates to engage in a formal evaluation process. Candidates will be asked to share their views and solutions on a myriad of issues ranging from economic development, to infrastructure, to affordable housing, and public safety as illustrated in the coalition’s business platform. An impartial process including a formal questionnaire, interview process and educational events will be used to engage the candidates. In addition, voters will be able to “ask the candidate” questions by submitting their queries through the CBA website. Information gleaned from the candidates through this extensive vetting process will be compiled into a digestible consumer report. The comparable data will be made available to voters for reference in advance of the November election. Over the years, voters have responded positively to the independent candidate assessment report. Sixteen of seventeen candidates who won seats in the 2013 city elections scored an “Excellent” or “Well Qualified” on the CBA rankings. About Committee for a Better Atlanta (CBA) CBA, first formed in 1996, is a non-partisan coalition with a mission to foster a healthy business environment through a shared civic and economic agenda. To date, CBA has participated in five City of Atlanta and two Fulton County Commission election cycles. CBA strives to educate both candidates and voters on select policy matters through a formal evaluation system inclusive of candidate forums, questionnaires and interviews. The information gathered through this process is shared with the business community and citizenry of Atlanta in order that voters can make informed decisions at the ballot box. To learn more, please visit the CBA website and follow us on Twitter @CBAtlanta.
