Tucker City Pickleball Project Debate: Candidates for the Tucker City Council District 3 seat discussed community engagement, zoning, and a proposed pickleball project during a virtual forum hosted by Decaturish.com. The race features incumbent Councilmember Alexis Weaver and challenger Sam Ulrich. Both candidates outlined their plans to improve communication between the city and residents.
Candidate Backgrounds
Alexis Weaver highlighted her experience as an urban planner and community leader with more than 20 years in economic and community development.
“I ran in 2021 on a platform of inclusion, government transparency and housing for all people in Tucker, and I’ve delivered on those,” said Alexis Weaver. “I’ve led the effort to make Juneteenth a city holiday, and championed Tucker’s non-discrimination ordinance, keeping it front and center until we passed it.”
Sam Ulrich described himself as a finance professional with a decade of experience as well as a father, husband, and Eagle Scout.
“I want to help Tucker do more while helping keep the small town neighborhood feeling that it has,” said Sam Ulrich. “I want to simplify zoning and reduce our dependence on [Special Land Use Permits] and drive community engagement in civil affairs and city programs, because [creating] a safer and smarter city full of good neighbors creates that safe community that everybody wants to call home.”
Pickleball Project Discussion
Both candidates addressed plans to add pickleball courts at the Tucker Recreation Center.
“I think we’re in the middle of a turning point on it,” said Sam Ulrich. “There are multiple studies out there being looked at right now … and once we know more on the sound mitigation studies and the new bids on the revised plan, we’ll know a bit more about what the best course to pursue is.”
Alexis Weaver welcomed the latest information on the project but raised concerns about how the city managed the process.
“I continue to share that my concerns with this project have so much less to do with pickleball and so much more to do with process and really the city really fell down on our commitments to our community,” said Alexis Weaver. “That’s why I engaged the neighbors of the rec center after asking for almost a year and a half, where the community input process was.”
Community Engagement
Both candidates agreed on the need for stronger communication between the city and residents.
“We need a community engagement policy so that it isn’t project by project that we are having to seek and cajole and hope …but that there are very clear guidelines for city staff across all departments on what level of community engagement we’re seeking,” said Alexis Weaver.
Sam Ulrich said earlier notice to residents would improve the process.
“I think being able to notify neighbors that are going to be directly and indirectly impacted on things before it comes before the council seems to be the biggest in place where improvements can be made,” he said.
Impact on Tucker
The discussion highlighted key issues for District 3 voters, including growth, planning, and public involvement. The outcome of this race could influence how Tucker handles development projects like the pickleball plan and how the city engages with its residents in the future.
News in Brief: Tucker City Pickleball Project Debate
Tucker City Council District 3 candidates Alexis Weaver and Sam Ulrich shared their views on planning, zoning, and a proposed pickleball project during an online forum. Both agreed on the need for stronger community engagement, while also outlining different ideas for improving city processes and maintaining Tucker’s neighborhood feel.
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