Paul Zucca

Email: paulzucca@aol.com
Phone:404-624-1030
Fax:404-624-9907 and 404-372-0991

Events:

Tuesday, October 16 East Atlanta Community Association 6pm-8pm Southside High School 80 Glenwood Avenue

1. What experiences or other qualifications make you the best candidate for this position?

I am the best candidate for the City of Atlanta, City Council Post 1 At-Large because of my unique background, including business experience, formal education and actual government interaction.

My over twent years of operating a successful small business, coupled with a law degree, masters degree in governmental affairs, and my serving for four years as chairman of the City of Atlanta neighborhood planning unit for our community makes me able to begin serving the citizens of Atlanta immediately.

The current status of the city is so critical that we do not have the luxury to elect a candidate who will require on-the-job training.

2. What are three of the most important issues facing the city of Atlanta?

1. Fiscal affairs of the city
2. Public safety
3. Infrastructure crisis

3. What specific actions would you take in your first year in office to begin dealing with these issues?

a. The city of Atlanta is, as of July 30, 2001 approximately $45 million dollars in deficit. The past 8 years the city had a "cash carry forward" surplus of approximately $140 million dollars. The issue facing the next mayor and council is where to cut the city budget. The options are many, but unpleasant. A property tax increase is being discussed as a solution as is the elimination of programs and city employees.

I favor a reduction in the number of middle management employees, the curtailment of certain operations such as motor transport (which could save the city some $15 million dollars per year) and the consolidation of the city jail facility with the Fulton county jail, which could save the City of Atlanta untold millions (best estimate is $16-17 million dollars per year).

b. The current status of between 400-600 police positions being vacant is unacceptable. We need to begin a nationwide recruitment campaign; expand academy programs for immediate training and put in place a five year plan; address the issues of police pay, based on individual accountability and performance and the retention incentives for officers; and lastly, but most importantly, the address officer's contribution rates for health car, retirement, and equipment.

c. Currently, the City of Atlanta has identified approximately $3.4 billion dollars in immediate repairs and upgrades to the city's aging sewer system, storm water system and street erosion. The $3.4 billion dollars will be paid for with bonds the city will issue and the cost passed on to every water and sewer user. The added cost to individual bi-monthly water/sewer bills could be at least $75.00 to $100.00 per billing cycle for the next 30 to 40 years.

I will immediately establish a coalition with the new mayor and council to secure a complete and full review to determine the exact cost and lobby Federal and State authorities for financial assistance to our city.

Please contact me for a fuller explanation of all three of the above critical issues and for other issues affecting our city.