Better Savannah Episode 55: The Antwan Lang Interview (HD 165)

<p>The next 6 episodes including this one will all focus on the Special Election for House District 165. </p><p>Our guest today is Antwan Lang, who is the youngest ever elected official in Chatham County. He resigned from the elections board to run for this office.</p><p>Antwan has a strong story to tell and should be an inspiration for all young people entering politics. </p><p>We begin the discussion with the overarching question Better Savannah asks, "Why, after 30 years of prosperity and growth, is there still 28% poverty in Savannah?"</p><p>Antwan's response prompted a discussion about Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and the board composition and audits. </p><p>We then move into the most tense part of our interview surrounding the Charter for the City of Savannah in relation to current rules ordinance governing city council. It's clear Antwan wants the city council rules package changed but doesn't want to do it through the state level. John and Chuck try several times to find the medium with Antwan, but never really found it. </p><p>We moved into the Hotel Tax debate and incorporating "The Weeping Time' preservation into tourism product offered and promoted through "Visit Savannah" His answers showed he wants some reform, but stopped short due to confusion of endorsing The Weeping Time coalition plan to buy and preserve the land with the additional 2% hotel tax revenue. </p><p>We finished up with a potpourri of state issues including Medicaid Expansion, HOPE Scholarship, K-12 Funding, and Casino Gambling. These were amongst his strongest answers. </p><p>Antwan Lang is an impressive candidate. He rubbed us the wrong way on all of our local issues, but has strong positions on the statewide issues. He has an amazing story to tell and his future in Savannah is bright regardless of the outcome of this election.</p>