The Clayton Crescent sent out candidate surveys to both candidates in the City of Jonesboro special mayoral election. The City of Jonesboro, which is the incorporated city, is holding its own election, with its own polling place at City Center, the new city hall.
One candidate, Pat Sebo-Hand, responded to the survey. The other candidate, Dr. Donya Sartor, asked for several extensions, finally notifying The Clayton Crescent that she did not have time to respond because she was dealing with “legal issues” related to the election, but that she respected having been offered the opportunity.
Both candidates have participated in several public forums, including those hosted by the Women of Clayton County and NAACP Clayton Branch, and The Clayton Crescent has given both candidates one-on-one Facebook Lives.
The Clayton Crescent does not endorse candidates for political office.
How many years have you lived in Jonesboro?
 Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
 Pat Sebo-Hand | 18 years |
How many years have you served on City Council?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | 13 years |
What will you do to ensure the county provides the City of Jonesboro with a full-service downtown branch library?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “I have been very passionate about the loss of our library for the past 2 years and will continue to be so. The impact on the community has been tremendous, whether you live within the city limits or outside. County officials, in an email, promised city officials that they will build us a full service library on the same piece of property as the previous one. I will hold them to that promise and not let up. I will be involved in the planning of the physical building, as well as the landscaping. The county also cut down 5 stately pecan trees that shaded the Market Plaza at Lee Street Park. I will include our Community Development director and our Public Works director in the planning stage, as they both have top knowledge regarding specimen trees and landscaping. This will be a full- service, state-of-the-art public library, accessible to all and a focal point for Jonesboro, the county seat.” |
With new subdivisions and senior housing in the city, how will you address increased motor vehicle traffic?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Increased vehicle traffic is a given with the growth of a city, whether it be from the creation of additional housing or from economic development. I will continue to work with the county and GDOT on our collector and arterial roads within the city. There has been past discussion regarding the closing of the Johnson Street rail crossing, which could possibly help with the flow of traffic in that area, which is close to the areas you mentioned. Part of our Blueprint Jonesboro plan was also a study to consider a roundabout at the intersection of Hwy. 54, North Main Street and North Avenue. Both of these ideas are certainly worth taking another look at to increase the flow of traffic through the city. Large tractor-trailer trucks are prohibited on roads within the city, except for Tara Boulevard, unless they have business in the city. I will work with our Code Enforcement, Public Works and Police Department to make certain that signs are posted and the law enforced.” |
What will you do to increase citizen engagement with council meetings?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “In my 13 years on City Council, attendance has generally been low unless there is a key issue on the agenda. Citizens receive the monthly newsletter with all meetings listed, including council meetings. We need to make certain that our council meeting agendas are posted in a timely manner to allow our citizens time to review and ask questions of mayor and council, either prior to or during time allotted at the meetings. I will continue to encourage them through the newsletter and our website to attend meetings and to sign up for public comment during our regular meeting held on the second Monday of the month. Our City Council meetings are livestreamed. We need to make certain that all citizens are aware of it and how to access it. As a part of citizen engagement, I would like for us to look into the possibility of allowing participation virtually during the public comment portion via a chat room to address issues. I don’t know if other municipalities offer this, but I would like to investigate the possibility.” |
What are the two most pressing issues facing the City of Jonesboro?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Affordable housing and aging infrastructure.” |
What are you doing to preserve historic architecture in the city, including but not limited to the Main Street assemblage on the National Register of Historic Places?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “The City of Jonesboro is rich in its history, architecturally and in many other ways. Designating H1 and H2 areas in the city has allowed us to protect it through zoning. Several years ago, through our Community Development director, long-needed updates were made and approved by council to protect historical buildings and areas throughout the city. Recently, council designated the Rosenwald School Building on Smith Street as a historical site, which is slated for upgrades and renovation by the Clayton County Board of Education. Unfortunately, this building could not be placed on the National Register due to the many modifications to the building over the years, thus the reason the city designated it as a valued historic site. Our Historic Preservation Committee is charged with the oversight and approval of any changes to historic structures within the City, based on guidelines that fall within their purview. Façade grants were made available to our Main Street businesses for upgrades to the exterior of their buildings. A number of historic homes within the City have been preserved through private investors.” |
What is your approach to working with other council members?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Respect for my fellow councilmembers is paramount and, in my 13 years on Council, I have never disrespected my fellow councilmembers. I have and will always show each of them the utmost respect, whether we agree or disagree on a topic before council for discussion and approval. I value their opinion, which often opens dialogue in a direction that I had not previously considered. I took an oath to serve the city, which means working together with my fellow elected officials. In 13 years, I have never missed a regular council meeting and only recently did I miss a work session. As a councilmember, I have always taken my position seriously, whether during our regularly scheduled meetings or out in the public at various events. I do not believe in grandstanding during meetings or disrespecting my city and councilmembers with negative comments through social media. I was elected to work with my fellow councilmembers to make decisions and vote on what is best for the city, which did not include refusing to vote on agenda items. As mayor, I will continue to work with council and staff with dignity and respect.” |
What do you think the city can do to protect its natural environment over the next five years?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Several years ago, mayor and council approved a tree ordinance to protect specimen trees and other trees of a certain diameter. Businesses and homeowners must get approval to remove trees and may be required to seek the advice of an arborist before being allowed to remove them. The city will continue to require approval of any and all landscaping around new developments, as well as replacement of existing trees and vegetation. The city recently approved the purchase of a new leaf vacuum and mulcher, which will aid in keeping our stormwater drains free of debris, as well as utilizing the recycled mulch in our parks and city buildings. I would like for us to create pocket parks throughout the city by utilizing some of our natural greenspace. The city must continue to be very strategic with the location and landscaping of new developments. The city has natural waterflow throughout. We have areas where vegetation undergrowth is preventing this natural flow, thereby creating standing water and mosquito issues. As we have done with our Community Garden, I would like to see us plant more pollinators throughout the city.” |
After this election, should the city contract with the county to run Jonesboro’s municipal elections?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | No |
Why or why not?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “As long as I have been on council, except for the 2016 special election to fill the council seat of Wallace Norrington, the City of Jonesboro has always run their own elections. Over time, the location for voting, due to logistics, has been held in various locations. It was either County Fire Station 13, the old Jonesboro Volunteer Fire Station, the old Jonesboro Police Department, early voting at the old Jonesboro City Hall, or at Lee Street Elementary. The city is very capable of running their own elections; however, that doesn’t mean that we will going forward. The decision this year was based on the cost proposal by the county. The polling location is the sole decision of the Council whether to keep it in-house or to outsource it. There is much discussion that must take place regarding the county handling our elections. Cost is top of the list, as well as voting location. There are years when we only have a municipal election. A question would be does the city or county run those, or only when elections coincide? We have a municipal election in November for mayor and council. I am certain much discussion will take place regarding it. Again, this is a decision made by a majority vote of the council and not by an individual.” |
How will you protect the city’s natural environment over the next five years?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | • Enforce tree replacement as zoning/permitting condition • Air quality monitoring • Educate public at community events/Farmers Market • Increase enforcement, including fines and prosecution • Partner with CCWA to improve water quality |
How will you make the city more welcoming for people from all walks of life?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Jonesboro is a diverse community with a rich history. During our mayor/council retreats, I have asked for money to make our parks more inclusive. Though they are ADA compliant, I believe that we could do more for those that are physically challenged. I would like to see the addition of playground equipment specifically designated for our children who are wheelchair-confined, as well as more interactive equipment for those who are physically and mentally challenged. I have proposed to council in the past to consider a small skate park to be located at Battleground Park. I have also suggested that we consider renaming Battleground Park to honor our veterans. We have talked in the past about developing a nature trail behind Battleground Park for health and wellness. At one time, the county was considering connecting the Lake Spivey community via trails to the City of Jonesboro. I would like to see us open up the dialogue again and review the possibilities. The Make It Village currently under development at the old Walker Nursery would be part of that connection, bringing agriculture, education and the arts to Jonesboro. The First Baptist Church of Jonesboro currently owns the old News-Daily Building, which is being used for storage. I would like to open dialogue about the possibility of developing it into a theatre for our Front Porch Players, which is also adjacent to our City Green on Broad Street. As a council, we have talked about making the city more pet-friendly. I want us to look for property that would be conducive for a dog park. I would like to see the city more cyclist-friendly by getting with the county and GDOT to study the inclusion of bike lanes. Many of the above-mentioned projects will take time and collaboration with other entities, but I feel they are doable. We will obviously need to look for grants to see [who can] assist with funding, including CDBG.” |
What will you do to address homelessness in the city?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “Recently, I have had this conversation with pastors in our community. I have been meeting with a number of individuals in the county, discussing this over several months, and even toured a number of encampments and extended stay hotels housing our homeless. My husband and I have personally assisted several individuals who were living at Lee Street Park and reconnected one man back with his family in Portland. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer. I would like to see our faith-based organizations come together to address this as a community. As a city and county, we were in dire need of warming shelters when the temperature dropped below freezing this year. We should not have to search for a facility at the last minute, but should already have a plan and location in place. I would like to form a coalition consisting of city leaders, our faith-based leaders and concerned citizens to address not only the fact that people are homeless, but to offer wrap-around services. The county is currently addressing these issues, but with only one shelter open year-round it certainly cannot meet the needs of all that need help.” |
Tell us about your golf cart.
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “The city became a golf cart community a number of years ago. Currently, I believe that we have 10 – 12 residents that own a golf cart. We use ours to go to events in the city, but primarily I use it every Saturday from May – October to manage the Farmers Market at Lee Street Park. I am using it for campaigning 7 days a week to visit my fellow citizens.” |
Is there anything else you want voters to know?
Dr. Donya Sartor | Did not respond |
Pat Sebo-Hand | “…I am a retiree from Clayton County Public Schools since 2018. I was selected numerous times by my fellow councilmembers as Mayor Pro Tem. In my 13 years, the first 10 as the only woman, I have taken many classes through the Georgia Municipal Association, from Equity and Inclusion, Diversity, Municipal Finance, Policy & Procedure, Municipal Law, Democratic Decisions, Economic Development, Main Street Development, Parks & Recreation and am a graduate of the Knox Leadership Institute and have received my Certificate of Achievement from GMA. I have participated in 6 major groundbreaking ceremonies within the city and chaired the committee to develop Lee Street Park. I brought the Farmers Market back to the city 12 years ago and have managed it at Lee Street Park for the past 4 years…. I brought Jazz Under the Stars to the city, collaborating with the Atlanta Jazz Festival, to be one of their venues during their 31 Days of Jazz in May. For many years, I was the liaison between the city and Comcast for their annual Comcast Cares Days. We collaborated on various projects to spruce up our parks, greenspace and Lee Street Elementary. I am a strong advocate for the replacement of our library and will continue to work with the county to replace it. My husband and I had a Little Free Library built and installed at Lee Street Elementary. As of this date, we currently have 8 Little Free Libraries in the city. As chairwoman of Family Literacy of Georgia, Inc., I am an advocate for literacy. I also serve on the advisory board for the Good Shepherd Clinic. I will work closely with our city manager and staff to bring economic development to the city, as well as working with our current business owners to assist with their needs. Public safety has always been a priority of mine and will continue to be as I work with our chief to make certain that our police department is equipped with what they need to maintain safety for our citizens and business owners. I will be a mayor for all the people of Jonesboro.” |
Candidate campaign websites
- Dr. Donya Sartor
- Pat Sebo-Hand
