Tell Peachtree Corners readers about your vision for the new city and how you would accomplish it?

I see the City of Peachtree Corners developing both socially and economically.  I would like for us to maintain the vision that Paul Duke conceived by having a “live, work and play” community.  I believe that we must not only have an attractive community for young families and businesses, but also be supportive of the aging population that has helped build our city.

With proper zoning decisions, we will be able to maintain the dignity of the area and determine future development that benefits us all. I will work with areas like Tech Park and The Forum to help them further develop and attract consumers and new businesses.

I will work closely with the officers of the Gwinnett County Police Department West Precinct in order to keep them informed of troubles in the community, as well as to keep the citizens aware of local crime statistics and initiatives to establish in order to better protect their neighborhoods.

Most importantly, I will be working closely with you, my neighbors, along with HOA’s community organizations, church institutions, and business owners. By doing this, I will be able to have a better sense of what is needed in the community and will be able to address it to my fellow council members.

I will work to see that your protection by referendum is maintained, the city upholds its integrity by just governance, and that the citizens of Peachtree Corners receive the participatory government that it deserves.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Peachtree Corners, and how would you approach it?

The greatest challenge that I see facing the city is that we still have a population that is divided on whether the city will live up to its expectations. Will there be wasteful spending?  Will the millage rate be raised?  Will the city council adhere to the charter?  Will parts of the city be forgotten about?

The challenge comes in the form of: Is the City Council doing everything possible to represent the tax-paying citizen in Peachtree Corners?  I believe in open and honest communication, and I believe that you never say anything that you cannot backup 100%.  So when I say that I will work for you and want to gain your trust as a neighbor that you elected to City Council, my actions and decisions will clearly reflect that.

I will not waste your tax dollars.  I will work to keep Peachtree Corners a thriving community so that your family and my family will be able to continue to grow and thrive here.  It is inevitable that any city will see its set of challenges, but I believe that proper planning for the future and a system of community support will help meet those trials head-on and any difficult hurdle will be able to be cleared. I am one that believes in exceeding expectations. I believe in Peachtree Corners and its citizens.

There has been such rampant misusage of tax dollars, how do I know that this won’t occur on a local level? 

As I would go door-to-door campaigning for Peachtree Corners to become a city, I ran into many people who asked me this.  My response to them was simple: You have the power.  Unlike other cities, Peachtree Corners has been built off the idea that you can live here, you can work here, you can own a business here, you can watch your kids grow up here, and that you can retire here.

At no point in time should you feel as if your local government is attempting to take advantage of you.  Your protection by referendum gives you the ability to say what you want and what you do not want the city to offer.  You can decide on the future of services through your vote.  Just like you can vote an individual in or out of office, you can dictate to your city council what the city needs to do more efficiently.  As your City Council representative, I will make your dollars work for you.