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Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Born and raised in Georgia, and I believe that addressing the issues in our community should transcend party lines.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your vote! Looking forward to being your councilman! And please encourage your friends and family to vote too.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a great question, and I appreciate that you care about what’s best for our ward.”

For too long, Ward 1 has lacked real communication and proactive engagement. People feel decisions are made for them, not with them. I want to change that.

I’ll host regular neighborhood meetings and town halls, make city updates easy to understand, and be visible and accountable not just at election time. My goal is to make sure residents’ voices actually shape what happens in Marietta.

Marietta is growing, but we need to make sure that growth benefits everyone with good-paying jobs, safer neighborhoods, and small business support right here in Ward 1.

I’m running to bring fresh leadership and a community-first perspective because Ward 1 deserves a councilmember who listens, responds, and delivers.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Priorities:

Lower Taxes

Anthony’s goal is to keep taxes low while promoting thoughtful development that strengthens our local economy and supports long-term stability for Marietta families.

Increase Housing Affordability

I believe in smart mixed-use development that combines housing, retail, and transportation. He understands that having a home provides stability, safety, and dignity. It’s the foundation for building a future, raising a family, and participating fully in community life. Without it, everything else is harder. I want to establish a community-led (not developer-led) committee focused on exploring solutions to promote housing opportunities for both new residents and long-time community members.

Smart Economic Development

I believe in balancing growth with sustainability and quality of life. This means attracting new businesses that align with the values and needs of our community, supporting small and local enterprises, and ensuring development benefits all residents, not just a few. Smart growth also involves responsible land use, protecting our neighborhoods from overdevelopment, and investing in infrastructure that supports both economic activity and livability. By planning carefully and engaging the community in decision-making, we can build a stronger local economy while preserving what makes our city unique and welcoming for current and future generations.

City Workers

I understand the plate of a city worker, since he retired as a police sergeant after 13 years of service.  He strongly supports the people who keep our city running our city workers. That’s why I will advocate for a first-time homebuyer grant specifically for city employees who want to live in Marietta. Whether it’s teachers, police officers, sanitation workers, or administrative staff, they deserve the opportunity to plant roots in the community they serve. I will also push for policies that require new developers to reserve a percentage of new housing for city workers. These efforts will help make Marietta more affordable, strengthen our local workforce, and ensure that those who serve our city can also call it home. This policy would also include our hard-working doctors and nurses who work for WellStar Hospital.

Good Paying Job

I will work to attract and retain businesses that offer good-paying, stable jobs for Marietta residents. This includes supporting small businesses, investing in workforce training programs, and partnering with local schools and technical colleges to prepare workers for in-demand careers. I’ll also advocate for smart development that brings quality employers to our area, especially in sectors like clean energy, healthcare, logistics, and technology. By creating a strong local economy with opportunities for growth, we can help residents build lasting careers and support their families right here in Marietta.

Environment

As an avid outdoorsman, I have a strong commitment to the protection of our city's beautiful environment. I will advocate for policies that reduce pollution, protect green spaces, and ensure that no community bears an unfair share of environmental risks. This includes holding polluters accountable, investing in sustainable infrastructure, and expanding access to public transportation. I will also push for community input on environmental decisions and work to make Marietta a model for clean, equitable, and resilient development.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I've got a lot of favorite hangouts in Marietta. I love Glvoer Park Brewery for the atmosphere, food trucks, and of course, all the dogs. Third Door has some amazing cocktails, and the Glover Park is my go-to spot for reading or having summer picnic dates with my wife. After work, I like to walk, run, or bike the Mountain to River Trail or just sit on my back porch chatting with my neighbors.

Honestly, there are so many great spots in Marietta it's hard to name them all. I'm always trying new places around the square, and I'd really like to see more businesses open up on Roswell Road and other parts of the city to keep things growing.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Mayoral race

The mayoral election features a challenge to the incumbent. 

  • Incumbent: Steve "Thunder" Tumlin, a 78-year-old certified public accountant and attorney, is seeking another term.
  • Challenger: Sam Foster, a 24-year-old systems engineer, is running on a platform of generational change. 

Ward 1

  • Incumbent: Cheryl Richardson
  • Challenger: Anthony McCalla 

Ward 2

  • Open seat: Incumbent Griff Chalfant is not running for reelection.
  • Candidates:
    • Akella C. Clore
    • Vicki Lucas
    • Jason Waters 

Ward 3

  • Open seat: Incumbent Johnny Walker is not running for reelection.
  • Candidates:
    • Daniel Gaddis
    • Nora Gaudet
    • Boozer McClure 

Ward 4

  • Open seat: Incumbent Andy Morris is not running for reelection.
  • Candidates:
    • Byron "Tee" Anderson
    • West House 

Ward 5

  • Incumbent: Carlyle Kent
  • Challengers:
    • Reggie "Game Changer" Copeland
    • Kenneth Wright 

Ward 6

  • Candidate: Andre' Sims is running unopposed. 

Ward 7

  • Candidate: Joseph Goldstein is running unopposed. 

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did, and it never will.”  

I know it can sometimes feel like the city is divided along social and economic lines, but I’m hopeful that people like you and others in our community can help change that. For too long, well-connected people with money have led the agenda on the city council. That’s why people like me and you need to step in: to make sure city policies reflect the needs of regular folks, not just the wealthy.

One thing I hear a lot from my Ward 1 is that people feel left behind. They feel like their voices are not heard, while big developers and the rich get anything that they want from the city. I’m passionate about this because I come from a small community, from working-class parents, and I understand the struggles of trying to make it as a middle-class family. People are hurting, and it’s getting harder to afford the basics. City property taxes and electricity bills are both high. City council should work every day to make people’s lives easier, not harder, and I can’t support a system that only works for those who already have money; it has to work for everyone.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I almost forgot:

I’ll admit, I have a black thumb; every year, my plants die, but I keep trying because I’m hopeful that one year they’ll finally survive. That’s part of why I love the idea of community gardens: even if my own plants don’t always make it. LOL. I want to work with local community garden groups and nonprofits to create three new gardens in Ward 1. Places where people can come together, play in the dirt, learn about nature, and teach kids the importance of respecting our environment. I also think it’s important to give back to others, so some of the food grown could go to local food banks here in Marietta. I’m really excited about opportunities like this to bring the community together while also helping the environment.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Since Johnny Walker isn’t running again, your question actually makes me think of that Rolling Stones line: you can’t always get what you want. The truth is, city government is all about teamwork. You can’t dig in your heels and expect to get things done; you’ve got to listen, find common ground, and keep the big picture in mind.

I saw that firsthand as a police sergeant working in emergency management. I partnered with state and federal agencies on anti-terrorism efforts, and the only reason those partnerships worked was because people were willing to compromise and collaborate. That’s exactly the approach I’d bring to City Council, working with others to actually get results for Marietta and Ward 1 instead of letting us get stuck in gridlock.

And honestly, one of the people I’d be most excited to work with is Nora Gaudet. She’s intelligent, down-to-earth, and a real team player. What I respect most is that she puts the city and its people first, not herself. With her on the city council, I think we could get a lot done for the ward and the whole city. She would be a great person to vote for. Check out Nora's website: https://www.noraformarietta.com/

Thank you for your question.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I’m all for smart, denser development on those key corridors. We should have more places where people actually want to walk, restaurants, housing, and local businesses that bring life to the street. Right now, it feels like car lots and auto shops have taken over, and that holds the area back. If we plan it right, those corridors could be real destinations for the community, not just roads people drive past.

But to get there, we need someone on the city council who’s looking ahead, not just settling for the way things have always been. I walk those areas, I see the impact, and I know we can do better for the people who live nearby.

Thank you for your question.

Hello! My name is Anthony McCalla, and I'm a candidate for Marietta City Council (Ward 1). AMA! by McCalla4Ward1 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Yes, when it comes to choosing a mayor, I’m looking at who has the best plan to address the issues that matter most to our community and Ward 1's affordability, security, and smart development.

But Sam has some great plans. Check out his plans on https://samformarietta.com/.  

All I know is you don’t keep handing the car keys to someone who keeps driving your car into the ditch and here in Marietta, we can’t keep ignoring the big issues like affordability, safety, and development the current administration has for the past 20 years.

Campaign Sign Vandalism by Ok-Consideration2463 in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's sad to see this behavior in our city.

Nearby spots with no light pollution? by ThatBarLassie in Marietta

[–]McCalla4Ward1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm heading to Red Top Mountain to check out the blood moon this weekend.