Yolanda Adrean wears many hats. She is a wife and mother. She is a CPA. And she is a tireless worker for our neighborhoods.
Yolanda was raised in upstate New York on a working farm by her parents, along with four siblings.
“My work ethic and love of the outdoors was formed in upstate New York. I still love to walk and hike as often as I can. My love for good food and cooking started in Boston where incredible fresh produce was available at local farmers markets every Saturday. Boston was also the first city I lived in, and the combination of parks along the river, the historic neighborhoods, centers of higher education and excellent transportation began a love of urban living and the vibrancy it can provide.”
Mt. Paran Northside Citizens Association
I have served as President of this neighborhood association since 2005.
It serves over 940 homes and very actively advocates for home owners.
Some of the key initiatives I have been involved with:
Fire Station 27: A year ago, a small group of us took Christmas lunch to Our Fire Station 27 on Northside Drive. Appalled by the living conditions, we pledged to renovate the Station. We are in the midst of a historic fund raising effort and have raised $221,000 towards our ultimate goal of $250,000.
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Chief Cochran recently awarded our Association the Award of Distinction for our service to Atlanta Fire Rescue.
In addition to the renovation, we have advocated for restoration of budget cuts to Atlanta Fire Rescue, and have led letter-writing campaigns along with other neighborhood associations, to the City.
I also volunteer at Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation 12 hours per month assisting them with the establishment of an accounting system. |
 - Groundbreaking Day at Firestation 27 - |
House Bill 1263: I am a member of our Political Committee and advocated for the elimination of school taxes on senior citizens in 2008. After studying demographics and tax policies in surrounding counties, it was our belief that Atlanta should have some sort of relief for seniors as the majority of surrounding counties do. With the build up of condos and the 18 month inventory sitting empty, it was our belief that a competitive tax policy would allow seniors to “age in place”. In my neighborhood, seniors are choosing to live in Cobb where they have no school taxes at age 62 and up.
We were able to get the bill through the local delegation but failed to get it passed by the State Senate.
School Taxes: In 2008, when our property taxes were at an all time high due to enormous increases in tax assessments, our group advocated for lower school taxes. We were able to garner citizen participation and support and our research clearly supported a cut in school taxes. APS agreed and lowered the taxes by one mill.
North Metro Program
I was among the founding members of an advocacy group (Neighborhood Parent Teacher Organization or NPTO) formed in 2003, to support the North Metro Program. Our organization later became a member of the Georgia PTA.
North Metro is a program funded by the state and Atlanta Public Schools, to serve students K-12, with severe emotional and behavioral issues and autism. We learned that this program lacked the appropriate levels of funding to support art, music and sports.
After failed attempts to advocate for additional funding from the state and school system, we began to fund raise by raising awareness among neighbors and foundations. Since inception, we have raised over $165,000 and have used the funds to pay for a music therapist, art, educational materials, sports equipment and field trips.
I served as Treasurer for several years and President for two years. Some in District 8 may remember me as the lady from the Flea Market. - I would literally drive a truck around the district collecting furniture, appliances, household items, clothes, toys and other things for sale at our Flea Market. It was among the top Flea Markets in Buckhead and was a major source of our fund raising.
The North Metro Program was housed on Northside Drive at the former Tuxedo School and was then moved to the Margaret Mitchell School. A year ago it was moved to a facility southeast of the City and that is when I retired my Board position.
Beltline Tax Allocation District Advisory Committe (TADAC):
I was appointed for a two year term by then Chairman Karen Handel of Fulton County Government. TADAC was formed by legislation by City Council and its mission is to provide advice, oversight and counsel to Atlanta Beltline Inc (ABI) on the equitable and optimal use of bond funds for the Beltline.
TADAC is broadly represented by citizens representing stakeholders from the City of Atlanta, Fulton County Government, Atlanta Public School, Beltline Partnership, Trust for Public Land, Beltline Network, the Affordable Housing Board and others.
I have served as a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee.
"I am running because Atlanta faces enormous challenges. We must impose strong fiscal controls and 21st Century management standards on City Hall, to enhance public safety, ensure delivery of services, promote smart growth, tame the traffic tie-ups, and get better value for our tax dollars. Without real change, businesses leave and quality of life in our neighborhoods deteriorates. My professional background as a CPA alongside my hands-on experience working for our neighborhoods positions me well to tackle these crucial issues.”
-Task Force for the renovation of Fire Station 27-
-Lynne Moscow, Marci Vincent, Paul Muldawer, London Andes, and Yolanda-
