Mitchell begins council president race with a heckler, the CEO of DeKalb County, and an apology

My AJC colleague Eric Stirgus reports that Ceasar Mitchell kicked off his campaign for Atlanta city council president this afternoon with a rally that included some heckling from another candidate, a guest appearance by DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, and a mea culpa.

Mitchell, a city councilman, agreed to pay a fine to Atlanta’s Ethics Board earlier this year for approving contracts to his brother for community service projects done for the councilman.

“In my efforts to serve the people of Atlanta, I’ve made mistakes,” Mitchell told the crowd of about 50 people. One of Mitchell’s most prominent supporters was the CEO of DeKalb County.

Ellis, who worked at the same law firm with Mitchell, said he’s willing to do what he can for the Mitchell campaign, calling the councilman “smart and honest.”

The son of a former Atlanta police officer, Mitchell, 40, listed accomplishments such as requiring rookie cops to do beat patrols in high-crime areas.

He also mentioned his effort in July to fight Mayor Shirley Franklin’s plan to fill a budget gap by closing Fire Station No. 7. City Hall gadfly Dave Walker, who is also running for council president, reminded Mitchell that the station is closed and remains so.

Good point, Mitchell said — but he argued the battle brought to light Atlanta’s public safety challenges.

If elected, Mitchell says he’ll try to expand the foot patrols, work with regional and state lawmakers and seek more environmentally-friendly initiatves.

The councilman will face off with Councilwoman Clair Muller, whom Mitchell has praised in the past. Mitchell said he’ll draw the necessary distinctions by offering “bold leadership.”

Mitchell had initially planned to run for mayor, but changed course, saying council president — a position now held by Lisa Borders, who is running for mayor — is a better position for his skills.

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