The City of East Point operates under a city council form of government. The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations and is approved by an eight-member city council, which is led by the mayor who serves a four-year term with veto power.
East Point is divided into four wards (A, B, C & D), and each ward is represented by two members of City Council elected by their constituency to serve a four-year term. The elected officials’ policy leadership is combined with the administrative abilities of the city manager to operate the city.
City Council meets in regular session twice a month on the first and third Monday (6:30 PM) at City Hall in the Council Chambers located at 2757 East Point Street, East Point, Georgia 30344. In addition, East Point City Council Work Sessions are held on the second Monday of each month at the same location. City Council meetings are televised on EPTV.
WARD A AT-LARGE
Sharon Shropshire
Councilmember Sharon Shropshire is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She has called East Point home since 1985. CM Shropshire completed her education in the Atlanta Public School System, and has had the pleasure of working in various capacities during the span of her career. Currently, she is employed with the Federal Government.
Prior to her election in November 2013, CM Shropshire spent a decade fighting to improve the lives of all residents in East Point. Her diligence in public service and serving on several boards in the City of East Point led to her establishing a strong track record as a spokesperson, as well as, becoming a well-recognized advocate for residents. Having built a long record of success in advocacy coupled with her dedication to community, CM Shropshire is recognized as one who intently listens to the people of East Point and brings words to action. This has allowed her to develop an inherent knowledge and understanding of how East Point must constantly strive to continue to lead the nation as the best place to live and work in America.
WARD A
Councilmember Lance Robertson comes to East Point City Council with over 30 years of experience with Government and Community Relations. He was once a Deputy Chief of Staff for the 3rd largest county in Georgia, former United States Congress 4th District Constituent Service Representative to Regional Lead Media Specialist for the Department of Commerce United States Census Bureau over Georgia, Florida, and Alabama media operations.
Councilmember Robertson is the Co-Founder and former Executive Director of the National Black and Latino Council USA nonprofit www.nblcusa.org. He served 10 years uniting the Hispanic, Latino and African American business community throughout America building the organization to nearly 3000 members and representation in seven cities.
To date, this is the largest nonprofit that America focused on building bridges and developing community and professional programming along with numerous strategic corporate partnerships with Coca Cola, Georgia Pacific Foundation, Arthur Blank Foundation, Univision, Georgia Power, Home Depot, Chic-fil-A, Novelis, Atlanta United FC, Atlanta Falcons, Telemundo and Habitat for Humanity, becoming a valuable unique resource for communities, small business owners, government agencies, corporations and the multicultural media industry.
Lance Robertson
WARD B AT-LARGE
Karen René
Councilmember Karen Rene’ is a strong champion for Public Safety and an advocate for children. She is one who expresses a deep love and appreciation for East Point, describing it as a wonderful city in which to live. “It is a city rich with diversity and culture that believes in its citizens.” Born and raised in Selma, Alabama, CM Rene’ says her parents instilled in her “the value of an education and good work ethics” early in life.
Born and raised in Selma, Alabama, CM Rene’ says her parents instilled in her “the value of an education and good work ethics” early in life. CM Rene’ moved to East Point in 2002, embracing the city as home. Since that time, she has been actively committed to helping continue the progress of moving East Point forward as a diverse community and bringing about change making the city a well sought place to reside, work, do business and enjoy the simple pleasures of life. CM Rene’ is a graduate of Alabama State University, with a degree in Political Science and a Law Degree.
WARD B
Councilmember Josette Bailey is a native of Georgia, growing up in Bowdon, Georgia. She has lived in Egan Park for four years and in South Fulton for 20 years. She has attended church in East Point for over 30 years. She graduated from Spelman College and Georgia State University, earning a doctorate in special education and leadership. She received training at Cornell University in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her pronouns are she/her/hers.
Her motivation comes from her parents, who did not attend college but always expressed the importance of getting a good education. When her parents did not know how to guide her application process to attend college, her science teacher stepped in to give her the guidance she needed. Josette learned as a young student that it takes a village to raise a child. We need each other in our community to be successful. We are better when we work together.
Josette Bailey
WARD C AT-LARGE
Councilmember T. Starr Cummings
Financial stability, a passion to serve, and community empowerment are only a few of the qualities that Starr inherited from her family. Starr believes she has always had the best of two worlds growing up. Her father was raised in Northwest Atlanta. From him she learned her work ethic and drive – always work hard while helping as many as you can along the way. Her mother was raised in the small town of Washington, Georgia. Starr’s mother instilled in her the values of patience, humility, and compassion. The beliefs and values from her parents stoked her sense of service to her community.
As a newly appointed Battalion Chief for the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department, she works hard to live out and demonstrate those traits each time she puts on her uniform. Throughout her 22-year career with AFRD, she has served in various divisions of labor including Arson Investigations, Background and Recruitment, Field and Airport Operations, and Resource/Communication Management. Serving in these divisions of labor affords her the ability to stay on the pulse of the community.
T. Starr Cummings
WARD C
Myron B. Cook
Councilmember Myron B. Cook and his wife moved to East Point from Atlanta in 1974. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a Minor in Economics from Morehouse College. Upon graduation, CM Cook served the U.S. Army as an NCO in the Military Police, stationed in the Republic of South Korea.
CM Cook’s professional career began at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia where he served as one of six managers in the claims division. He later moved into Facilities and Administrative management. The skill set developed at Blue Cross allowed a smooth transition to becoming the Assistant Property Manager responsible for operations at Greenbriar Mall. He retired from the position during the first quarter of 2009.
WARD D AT-LARGE
Councilmember Joshua B. Butler, IV
Honor, integrity, ambition, balance, and uplift are the principles that guide lifelong East Point native Joshua B. Butler, IV, each day in his professional and philanthropic endeavors. This Morehouse College graduate turned down a scholarship to the number one engineering school in the world, M.I.T, so that he could learn the altruistic lessons of Benjamin Mays and Martin L. King, Jr.
Combining his keen analytical abilities, intrinsic leadership skills, trailblazing spirit, and compassionate nature, Councilman Butler has emerged as a renaissance entrepreneur whose professional career started as Bank of America’s number one SBA Business Banker for the State of Georgia. Councilman Butler has bought and sold companies in several industries including the transportation and logistics, and the entertainment industries.
Joshua B. Butler, IV
WARD D
Stephanie Gordon
Councilmember Stephanie Gordon is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Alabama. She has worked in the Real Estate and Commercial Insurance industries and is presently employed with Beecher Carlson Insurance Services.
Councilmember Gordon and her son Justin have lived in East Point for 15 years. She had the pleasure of serving on the East Point Planning & Zoning board for two years during which time she completed training courses with the Atlanta Regional Commission prior to being elected to City Council in 2015.
CM Gordon is proud to represent the residents and business stakeholders of Ward D as it is the city’s largest ward and economic engine.