In the living room of Elon Osby’s home in Penelope Neighbors, a gathering unfolded, drawing attention to the upcoming election for Atlanta’s District 3 City Council seat.
A half-dozen neighbors sat attentively in a semicircle around Perrin Bostic, the 33-year-old challenger to incumbent Byron Amos.
As residents shared their frustrations regarding City Hall, they highlighted problems like unreturned calls and unanswered emails.
“I mean, if you return my call, then we’re 90% there,” one neighbor remarked, prompting nods of agreement from those present.
Listening intently, Bostic emphasized that many conversations revolve not around policy, but rather around basic accountability from elected officials.
He pledged to be a council member who would engage more with the community and make it a priority to return phone calls.
His commitment signals a shift in focus for what has emerged as a credible challenge against an incumbent in a generally stable political landscape.
The District 3 race encapsulates a community dealing with stark contrasts: areas filled with boarded-up homes juxtaposed with new townhouses and promised redevelopment efforts overshadowed by neglected infrastructure.
Statistics reveal that District 3 faces a home vacancy rate of about 20%, almost double the city-wide average of roughly 11%.
Additionally, only 35% of residents own their homes, significantly lower than the city-wide rate of 46%, according to 2023 data from the Atlanta Regional Commission.
Election dynamics show that serious challenges to incumbents are rare in Atlanta, as name recognition and low voter turnout often solidify re-election prospects.
Both Bostic and Amos have solidified high-profile endorsements and raised substantial campaign funds.
Bostic reported over $58,000 in contributions, while Amos has garnered just over $102,000 as of September 30.
Amos, who won the District 3 seat in a runoff by a narrow margin of just 45 votes in 2021, is now seeking a second term.
At a recent meet-and-greet barbecue at the Village Skate Park in Bankhead—where blight stands beside half-million-dollar townhomes—Amos rejected the notion that he is disengaged from the community.
He explained, “I know a lot of people in the district that appear to be upset, because their individual issues have not been moved at all, but District 3 is a challenging district.”
Amos stressed that progress often takes time.
Community member Amichi Bertrand, who organized the barbecue, described Amos as a “quiet supporter” and a “good mediator” within the district.
Bostic, on the other hand, brings a story rooted in personal journey and professional expertise.
Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, he moved to Atlanta to pursue a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University.
His career has included roles as a policy advisor and director of constituent services for former District 3 Councilmember Antonio Brown.
He has also served as the Northwest Georgia outreach representative for U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock and was the administrator for Fulton County Magistrate Court, a position he left to concentrate on his campaign.
Bostic believes his experiences have equipped him to bridge the gap between city bureaucracy and the residents it serves.
He noted a significant trend during his canvassing: approximately 65% of conversations focus on residents’ basic expectations for responsiveness from their council member.
From concerns about short-term rentals in Home Park to displacement in Grove Park, and blight issues in Bankhead, Bostic hears a common refrain: “I reached out to my council member, and I didn’t get anything back.”
“People need to know that you care,” he insisted, highlighting the importance of being present in the community and fostering connections with residents.
Amos, while acknowledging the importance of constituent communication, disagrees with the assertion that his engagement has fallen short.
He contends that both candidates agree on surface-level priorities—such as enhancing infrastructure, public safety, and reducing blight—without offering dramatically different solutions.
Amos pointed to his achievements since taking office, citing improvements in various aspects of the district.
Among these accomplishments is his 2024 blight-tax proposal, which aims to impose heavy tax penalties on absentee property owners if they fail to address dilapidated structures.
The proposal awaits approval from the Fulton County Commission after passing city council.
Amos has also championed legislation enabling the city of Atlanta to seize blighted properties from negligent landlords, showcasing his commitment to tackling local inequities head-on.
He voiced that while infrastructure issues are complex and often rooted in historical challenges, he possesses the “wisdom and knowledge to get this done.”
Both candidates share a mutual awareness of the low voter turnout and community disengagement that plagues District 3.
Amos remarked on the problem of “voter apathy” in the district, recognizing it as a significant barrier to effective governance.
He has collaborated with business and faith organizations to foster resident involvement in policymaking, aiming to bridge the gap between constituents and their local government.
Bostic, however, sees this lack of engagement as a direct result of dissatisfaction with elected officials.
He articulated, “People don’t feel like City Hall is working for them.”
CiBostic argued that District 3’s residents are among the least engaged citywide, largely due to a failure from elected officials to establish a meaningful connection.
To combat this, Bostic proposes auditing city departments for both efficiency and better staffing to ensure District 3 receives fair resource allocation.
“District 3 is consistently left out,” he lamented, aiming to rectify that disparity.
The larger context of the current Atlanta City Council races plays out against the backdrop of national events, notably the potential return of President Donald Trump to the White House.
“This is a unique moment of where we are with what’s happening at the federal level,” Bostic observed during his engagements with voters.
With his experience working for Senator Warnock, Bostic asserts that he is prepared to navigate federal dynamics to advocate effectively for local needs.
He insists on developing stronger public-private partnerships to insulate the district from the potential impacts of federal funding cuts.
Amos concurs with Bostic’s concerns about the national implications on local governance but cautions that the anger at the national level could spill over into local elections.
“All politics is local,” he acknowledged, recognizing that emotions tied to national issues could influence District 3’s voter turnout.
He also acknowledged that his support for the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center—often criticized under the moniker “Cop City”—might alienate certain younger voters.
“Majority of my community leaders at the time wanted me to vote yes,” he explained, emphasizing the necessity of responding to public safety concerns while also clarifying, “Atlanta police is not that.”
With a well-articulated stance, Amos asserts that the city has retained its independence in shaping policy and addressing issues without yielding to federal pressure.
“We’ve fortified,” he stated, providing a strong rebuttal to the notion that Atlanta is swayed by outside influences.
Ultimately, the choice in the District 3 City Council election will hinge on trust, visibility, and responsiveness to voters.
For Bostic, his approach hinges on presence and genuine interactions with constituents.
“I’m running a campaign that is truly inclusive of everyone in our district,” he stated emphatically.
Conversely, Amos leans on his record, advocating for a decision that reflects substance over style.
“It’s an interesting time in politics,” he remarked, “but [a voter’s decision] should be one based off of substance and track records.”
As the campaign progresses, both candidates have expressed camaraderie, acknowledging that ultimately, one will represent District 3 in the council.
The race encapsulates the aspirations and challenges of an evolving community as residents seek a leader who will truly listen and act.
image source from：atlantaciviccircle
