Clifton Community Partnership

Other article:
Rader Hits Ground Running
May 29, 2008
Source: Community Partnership Update/February 2007

In the first few weeks since he took his new job on the DeKalb County Commission, Jeff Rader is immersing himself in the wide range of issues he’ll face representing District 2, which includes the Clifton community.

Part of his job, as he describes it, is to protect the interest of thousands of existing constituents who want to preserve and improve their communities, while providing for new residents who are moving in. That can be a delicate juggle in a growing district. Rader, a Fernbank resident and a city planner with a career in public policy that included positions with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, already was well versed in many of the local issues that involve DeKalb County’s District 2.

“In concert with my colleagues on the Board of Commissioners, I want to advance the long-range planning that will help us get ahead of growth and make sure we get it right so people will still find this area attractive 10, 20 and 50 years in the future,” said Rader.

Rader will focus on three “quality of life” areas: encouraging environmental preservation and restoration; supporting transportation options; and maintaining county infrastructure, such as water and sewer lines.

“Infrastructure needs are not glamorous, but they are critical. We must maintain these lines and ensure we have the water and sewer capacity to prevent runoff and watershed contamination. If we don’t have sufficient infrastructure, we simply won’t be able to accommodate expected growth,” Rader said.

“Dwindling greenspace in an urbanized district needs to be identified and preserved in a comprehensive manner. I’m also working to see environmentally compromised areas restored to their native condition,” continued Rader.

Finally, Rader underscores that transportation alternatives need to be encouraged to decrease traffic demands. “The solutions are pretty clear. We must think creatively and shift trips to transit and other transportation modes. We need to work in earnest to decrease the length of trips people make in our community and we have to encourage residents to live near their jobs. Non-resident traffic is a big contributor to congestion in our district and new development must rely much more heavily on alternative modes.”

“Overall, I’d say we are in a good position. When you compare this district’s established communities and ample job opportunities to other areas in the region and across the state, we are still the envy of many of them,” Rader concluded.