As if the data center industry doesn't have enough political power already, through the enormous amount of cash it deploys!

Atlanta Community Press Collective@atlpresscollective.com · 2d ago

"Think about adding someone, or some entity from the data infrastructure space...to this task force, so we can truly have a robust conversation," Collins says.

Kelsea Bond wants to bring community members, environmental experts and public health officials into the conversation. She says the mayor's working group does not have representation from these groups.

If you want to follow what happened to my data center task force legislation today ⬇️👇

Atlanta Community Press Collective@atlpresscollective.com · 2d ago

Council member Kelsea Bond says they hope that this paper is not held longer than one cycle. They believe a public-facing task force is essential, while the mayor's working group is more intended to align city offices. Bond wants these conversations to be public and documented.

happy birthday shout-out @kelseabondatl.bsky.social my DSA city councilmember! they're doing a great job and make me really proud to live in D2 🎉

📸 Tired of being watched 👀 by private corporations who don't have to tell you who they send your data to or why? Use the letter writing tool in our bio to tell your councilmember to support 26-O-1401 and that you're tired of being watched by billionaires and corporate interests!

This legislation will be read in City Utilities Committee next Tuesday August 11 at 10 AM! 📆 3/3

on our water supply, utility costs, and local environment. Atlanta residents deserve representatives who make decisions about zoning and land use that benefit regular working people, not just the billion dollar corporations who benefit from the buildout of these facilities. 2/3

Stop the Big Tech Buildout! 🔌⚡️💦 On Monday 8/3, our office introduced legislation calling for the creation of a Data Center Task Force bringing together City departments, environmental and public health experts to examine the long term impacts of data center expansion… 1/3

In July I was proud to join L5P community members, local bands, & music lovers at Variety Playhouse to celebrate what Wax’n’Facts has meant to our community and the independent music scene. THANK YOU Wax’n’Facts, to many more! (Also peep the Wax’n’Facts shirt I snagged during COVID)

Congratulations to Wax’n’Facts, one of Little 5 Point’s most treasured institutions (and one of my favorite record stores!) for achieving 50 years of operation! 👏📀🦉

Last month I moved to send an airport Flock contract back to committee, which council voted AGAINST 4-10, claiming that Flock cameras help *solve* crimes. New analysis by @atlpresscollective.com shows otherwise! atlpresscollective.com/2026/07/28/f...

Good coverage of my heat safety legislation and related community organizing efforts! 🌡️ www.ajc.com/business/202...

‘Just not good enough’: Critics blast Atlanta’s extreme heat protections

Doctors, homeless services organizations and grassroots groups criticize Atlanta’s response to a heat wave that scorched the city around July Fourth.

ajc.com

Some good news. Fulton County (GA) Board refuses to go along with Atlanta Mayor Dicken's TAD/TIF extension (until 2055) plan, which includes using old 25+ year old base values (which doesn't comply with state law(. Hopefully schools will follow. @atldemsoc.bsky.social @julianbene.bsky.social

Personal post: My friend Corey got in a BAD scooter accident on Memorial. He’s a server without insurance or medical leave and could really use the support! Please consider donating 🙏💚 gofund.me/654ef7627

Donate to Support Corey’s Recovery After Accident, organized by Isaiah Taylor

Corey is a beloved server at Vesper, a neighborhood bar that feels like home to … Isaiah Taylor needs your support for Support Corey’s Recovery After Accident

gofund.me

Data centers don't provide value for the community, so why are we trying to build them in the heart of downtown? Atlanta DSA stands with SWATS against the data center proposal! We don't need data warehousing, we need housing!

What an honor to spend the weekend with so many progressive legislators around the country at the @localprogress.bsky.social convening in Baltimore, including DC’s NEWEST Democratic Socialist Mayor-elect Janeese Lewis George, and so many other cool people! 🌹

Me, still wondering where all the City of Atlanta's supposed housing trust fund $65 million in commitments has gone, when the city's own housing tracker only shows $10M going to actual housing development projects (closed and in pileline) in the city as of today. 🤔

And don’t forget that fire stations are giving out free cold water! (See image #4 for map) 🗺️ If you or someone you know has trouble accessing any city services please contact our office at kbond@atlantaga.gov! 💌

Stay cool, ATL (for FREE) 😎💧🆒 💨 Cooling Center at Selena Butler Rec Center is open M-F 11am-6pm 💧 Public Outdoor pools are open from 12:30-7pm every day 🏊🏼 Public Indoor pools Monday-Saturday at varying times (see image #2) 💦 Splash pads are open every day from 10am-8pm

Atlanta, it’s HOT Outside! 🥵🌞 Starting 6/30, the Selena Butler Rec. Center (98 William Holmes Borders Senior Dr) will be open as a cooling center M-F, 11AM-6PM until further notice (excluding Friday 7/3, holiday). Fire stations will also be distributing cold water 7 days a week.

CMs Westmoreland & @kelseabondatl.bsky.social introduced a request for Fulton appraiser to explain why the Campanile has a property tax break from the Development Authority. Dewberry's 2017 deal said no break until project is completed. Nearly $1M underpaid. www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news...

Atlanta City Council calls for blight tax on prominent Midtown property - Atlanta Business Chronicle

This would be the first time the city has used the blight tax tool that it created in 2024.

bizjournals.com

@kelseabondatl.bsky.social on FB: (link follows) "...we fought against a well-funded PR machine...we saw real estate interests, developers...speak out in favor of siphoning away money from our city, schools, and county general funds to subsidize private development under the guise of “equity”

Sad

Atlanta Community Press Collective@atlpresscollective.com · 2mo ago

The motion to adopt the Flock contract passes 11-3. K. Bond, Bakhtiari and Lewis vote no.

The motion to refer the Flock contract back to committee fails, 4-10

Note: Yes, there is no direct sharing. The problem with Flock is indirect sharing. The city shares data with Lowndes County, which regularly conducts searches for immigrants.

K. Bond thanks everyone for being with them. They say Flock is among the top concerns of their constituents. K. Bond makes a motion to refer the Flock paper back to committee. Lewis seconds the motion.

These meetings are held in the middle of the workday, and 3/4 of council did not attend the first public hearing actually held at an accessible time, but whatever

Atlanta Community Press Collective@atlpresscollective.com · 2mo ago

"We had multiple public meetings and public hearings where we had not very many people," Norwood says. I'm not sure what she's talking about since both public hearings were well attended.

Still catching up from yesterday, but proud to vote no (and not alone!) on the city’s FY27 budget. Any budget that allocates over 1/3 of its general fund to policing and surveillance is not serving or “investing” in its residents. I hope to reform this process in the future as well.

Atlanta Community Press Collective@atlpresscollective.com · 2mo ago

Beyond the process issues, K. Bond says, the proposed budget does not align with their priorities. They cite over spending on policing and not spending enough on alternatives like violence intervention.

Beyond the process issues, K. Bond says, the proposed budget does not align with their priorities. They cite over spending on policing and not spending enough on alternatives like violence intervention.

"Why are we waiting until the administration wants something to pass anti displacement protections?" K. Bond asks.