The Georgia World Congress Center Authority staff recently enjoyed a refreshing look at everything going on in Atlanta when Lisa Borders, President of the Atlanta City Council, spoke during the ongoing Professional Development series. The series brings the staff together on a regular basis to hear from local community leaders as well as industry leaders. Early in her talk, Borders spoke on growing up in Atlanta. Former Mayor of Atlanta Maynard Jackson launched his career from Borders' grandfather's pulpit at Wheat Street Baptist Church located in the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic District. An 11-year old Borders told Jackson that she wanted his job. His humorous response to the budding politician was, "When I'm done with it."

Borders was elected to her position in a citywide special election in August of 2004 and was re-elected in the 2005 normal citywide election. She presides over Council meetings, appoints committee chairs and participants for Council and maintains relationships with the Executive branch of government. Affordable housing, transportation solutions and neighborhood safety and preservation are community initiatives that she works on.

Borders encouraged the audience to participate in the community every day, to learn to really listen to those around you, to always solicit input before you give it and to work with young people. She also expressed an infectious enthusiasm for the city. "We are a city with exciting things going on," she said.

According to the Atlanta Regional Commission, the city's population will increase by 2.3 million in the next 25 years, and it is important that the City government plan ahead accordingly. One project in particular that Borders feels will make a significant impact on the future of Atlanta is the Beltline, a 22-mile loop of historic railroad that will connect neighborhoods, improve transit, increase green space and encourage growth. The Beltline will create 1,300 acres of green space, the equivalent of six Piedmont Parks, as well as a transit system that will go through intown neighborhoods. This will make the city much more pedestrian friendly and will help the over all transportation issues.

Seeing so much positive growth taking place in Atlanta, Borders' passion for her job and the city is quite obvious. "We're having fun at City Hall!" she exclaims.