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( Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist for the rights of children and disadvantaged Americans . She is the president and founder of the Children ’ s Defense Fund . You can learn more about this organization and its founder at http :// www . childrensdefense . org / about / leadership / marian-wright-edelman /.)
( She STEAMS is a coalition of women entrepreneurs striving to educate , empower , and enlighten the next generation . She STEAMS is comprised of leaders from the most senior levels of business , government , academia , and the non-profit sector ; members of the board serve as key supporters and ambassadors to women and girls . Learn more and get involved at http :// shesteams . org /.)
Ashonté : With all things balance is key . How have you been able to balance your business , service commitment , and charitable efforts with your family , spiritual life , and personal goals ?
Commissioner Clemmons : Planning . The only thing I must ensure is worked into my schedule is personal and family time , because everything else works together , the spiritual , business , and charity can all be lumped into the service component . But I schedule activities with my family , when I go home I shut it off , once I cross that threshold or when they do it is our time together . I keep in mind that if I ’ m not alright then I cannot serve . My family is rejuvenating for me because the rest does take a lot out of me . When I need to recharge it is family time .
Ashonté : Recently there has been some controversy concerning the use of County property to operate a business without license or payment of taxes within your district . Could you briefly expound on that and its resolution ?
Commissioner Clemmons : It was
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a difficult challenge for me honestly . What I want people to know is that the real issue was the illegal and fiscally irresponsible use of Henry County property by private operators , on government owned property with no oversight , no legal ownership , no written permission to be on said property .
The removal of the personal property ( the Confederate flag ) from County owned property and their voluntary closing was never the real issue , however , I stand firm on making sure I address every concern of all my constituents and some concerns were raised such as the flag and business operating there . When I addressed the issues , it enticed hate . We have gotten through that , and I ask that my constituents to continue to believe that I will be transparent . This particular issue has been resolved , but this has opened the BOC eyes to the fact that we must be better stewards of the taxpayers ’ money .
Future : On the Horizon - Continued Service & Goals
Ashonté : What do you hope to achieve for your constituents in the coming months ?
Commissioner Clemmons : We are moving forward on the design and construction of the new terminal building for the Atlanta Motor Speedway Airport and will put up a modular building in the interim . We ’ ll continue to work on the master plan for the Nash Farms Park and bringing quality services to the community . We now have the funds to build the new fire station so it is just a matter of executing the plans . I will continue for the next 2 ½ years of my term to delivered on the platform on which I ran .
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Ashonté : You ' ve said you fully intend to finish your term , will you possibly run for another term or a different position ?
Commissioner Clemmons : I don ’ t get to say whether or not I get to stay in office , the voters get do , so , I will leave that up to my constituents . Part of the challenge when the flag issue came up was a group of people called for my resignation . The support I got from my constituents and the fact that I ’ m committed to service , there is no one that could make me leave this first term ! At the end of my term the decision to run again will be based on what my constituents want .
Ashonté : Any advice for women or men who are getting the call to serve ?
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Commissioner Clemmons : If I could give any advice , I would say to them what someone said to me : “ Never listen to anyone who has not won a campaign !”. I would ask them what is their plan , what will they do to make change , and are they willing to invest in themselves ? These are always my questions ; a lot of times people want to run for office and they don ’ t understand the position or how to utilize it to make change .
Commissioner Dometrice Dee Clemmons is a dynamic woman , with an amazing heart for service , a passion for the community , and her call to duty is certainly service before self . She is a true force for change in South Atlanta .
By Ashonté S . Lyles
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21 - Game Changers Magazine Jul / Aug 2017 |