Joshua T. Atkinson for Mayor: A Commitment to Accountability, Integrity, and Drug-Free Leadership

On November 18, 2024, Joshua T. Atkinson sat in Freeport’s City Hall and listened in disbelief as two elected officials openly opposed the idea of drug testing those who represent the people of this city. They argued that they should not be held to a higher standard, dismissing the very notion that the voters of Freeport deserve assurance that their elected officials are drug-free. To make matters worse, the current mayor added, “Drug test me all day long, I don’t care! But what's the outcome? What do you want to happen as a result? Because you can’t have someone removed from office because they fail a drug test. It doesn’t happen.”

While drug testing without suspicion may not legally be enforceable, and leaders may not be removed from office based solely on test results, the refusal to offer voters peace of mind on this issue speaks volumes about the current administration's disregard for transparency and accountability. When those entrusted with the responsibility of making laws and decisions that impact the daily lives of Freeport's citizens cannot demonstrate basic integrity, it creates a dangerous erosion of public trust. This lack of leadership is unacceptable.

The voters of Freeport deserve better. And under an Atkinson administration, they will have better.

Freeport is at a critical crossroads. Over the past eight years, the city has seen a dramatic rise in drug abuse, leading to an increase in crime, strained neighborhoods, and a decline in the quality of life for residents. These issues have only worsened under the Miller administration, which has failed to act with the urgency and leadership necessary to restore our community’s health and safety. We are at a tipping point, and Freeport can no longer afford leadership that is disconnected from the people it serves.

As mayor, Joshua T. Atkinson is committed to rebuilding the trust that has been lost. He is advocating for a city ordinance that would require all elected officials to undergo drug testing before assuming office and on an annual basis thereafter, using scientifically reliable hair follicle testing. While such testing may not result in automatic removal from office, the refusal to subject ourselves to these basic standards of accountability signals a deeper problem—a failure to put the interests of the people first.

“Leadership starts with leading by example,” Atkinson says. “Freeport deserves leaders who prioritize the well-being and safety of every resident. When our leaders refuse to hold themselves to the same standards as the people they serve, it undermines our ability to move forward as a city. Freeport deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and drug-free.”

This policy is just one element of Atkinson’s broader vision to combat drug abuse, reduce crime, and restore Freeport’s sense of community. His administration will focus on bold, actionable steps to revitalize neighborhoods, rebuild trust in government, and create a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Freeport for everyone.

The time for change is now. The voters of Freeport deserve a mayor who will lead with integrity, who will restore accountability to our leadership, and who will put the safety and well-being of our community first. Joshua T. Atkinson is that leader.

Vote Joshua T. Atkinson for mayor—because Freeport deserves better.