Yolanda Adrean was elected to serve the voters of District 8 on the Atlanta City Council in November 2009, receiving 76% of the ballots cast.  She chairs the Finance Committee and serves on the Public Safety Committe and the City Utilities Committee. 
Yolanda wears many hats.  She is a wife and mother.  She is a CPA.  And she is a tireless worker for our neighborhoods.  

Following her successful career as a CPA at Ernst & Young, Yolanda has served on many community based boards and schools, including service as Treasurer and then President of The Chance School, serving children aged 2 to 8 in Louisville Kentucky. Even as a new President of the Board of the Chance School, she was successful in ensuring that a faulty sewer system was repaired, preventing sewage from leaking into the parking lot!

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

Yolanda 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 she has been involved with:

Fire Station 27:   In 2007, Yolanda and a small group of residents in District 8 took Christmas lunch to Fire Station 27 on Northside Drive.  Appalled by the living conditions,  the group pledged to renovate the Station.  They were able to complete the renovation by raising more than $250,000 in cash and in-kind donations.

Chief Cochran recently awarded the Neighborhood Association the Award of Distinction for their service to Atlanta Fire Rescue.   In addition to the renovation, Yolanda has advocated for restoration of budget cuts to Atlanta Fire Rescue, and has led letter-writing campaigns along with other neighborhood associations, to the City.    City Council has agreed with the group's position and recently voted to restore funding. Before her election to City Council Yolanda volunteered at the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation 12 hours per month assisting them with the establishment of an accounting system.

- Groundbreaking Day at Firestation 27 -

Yolanda and the Neighborhood Association 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 property taxes were at an all time high due to enormous increases in tax assessments, this group advocated for lower school taxes.  They were able to garner citizen participation and support and the research clearly supported a cut in school taxes.  APS agreed and lowered the taxes by one mill.

- Yolanda and her husband, Lee -

 

After failed attempts to advocate for additional funding from the state and school system, Yolanda began leading the efforts to raise funds by raising awareness among neighbors and foundations.  Since inception, they have raised over $165,000 and have used the funds to pay for a music therapist, art, educational materials, sports equipment and field trips.

Yolanda also served as Treasurer for several years and President for two years. Some in District 8 may remember her as the lady from the Flea Market.  She would literally drive a truck around the district collecting furniture, appliances, household items, clothes, toys and other things for sale at the Flea Market.  It was among the top Flea Markets in Buckhead and was a major source of 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 Yolanda retired her Board position.

Beltline Tax Allocation District Advisory Committe (TADAC):

Yolanda 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.

Yolanda has served as a member of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Finance Committee. She resigned to run for City Council.  

"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.”