Affordable housing and development were themes during a Monday forum with Sandy Springs City Council candidates, but contenders said public safety and fears that Buckhead crime could spill over into Sandy Springs is a major concern.
Candidates emphasized protecting neighborhoods from crime as well as planning for new development.
The Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber and Reporter Newspapers presented a virtual forum with 17 City Council candidates moderated by Lisa Rayam, host of WABE’s “Morning Edition.”
The mayor’s seat and all six City Council seats are up for election on Nov. 2.
District 6 City Council incumbent Andy Bauman and challenger Jeffrey Howe said fears of increased crime in Buckhead over the last year is the biggest issue on the minds of residents. Support of the police department is a top priority, they said.
Sandy Springs District 6 borders Buckhead at Roswell and Wieuca Roads.
Mayor Rusty Paul said crime has decreased every year since he was first elected until 2020 when it plateaued. He said the police department is trying to recruit officers from cities where law enforcement morale is considered low, such as Boston, Massachusetts and Portland, Oregon.
Mayoral candidate Dontaye Carter complimented City Council for approving a pay increase for police officers last week and faulted Sandy Springs leadership because most police cannot afford to live in the city, he said.
“…Whatever we can do to ensure that they are valued whether it’s housing, whether it’s increasing pay, we make those things happen so they are valued,” Carter said.
Candidate Eric Newberg, who is running for the open seat in District 3 being vacated by Chris Burnett, said the community can support police by not interfering with officers carrying out their job. “We need to allow the police officers and fire fighters to do their jobs and support them in the execution of their jobs,” Newberg said.
One of his opponents, Leslie Mullis said public safety is linked to public health and the police department needs mental health and other qualified officials to assist officers on emergency calls.
Candidates who are challengers to the incumbents or running for open City Council seats in Districts 2 and 3 said if elected they would listen to all residents to hear issues including from people who feel marginalized in Sandy Springs.
Mullis described Sandy Springs as a “tale of two cities” with some residents that have been left behind during the city’s growth. She said Sandy Springs should invest American Rescue Act funds in the city’s “most urgent concerns,” some of which she said were better transit options, expanded community policing, a community center and a housing plan.
In discussing redevelopment and affordable housing, several said they want to preserve and protect established residential neighborhoods from the disturbance of new construction and building density.
Paul said the city’s Next Ten Comprehensive Plan promises neighborhoods will remain protected from development.
“They are the backbone and the strength of this community and they deserve to be protected,” Mayor Rusty Paul said. “Most people put their life savings in their homes and they should expect their city is not going to change the character of their neighborhoods through rezoning.”
District 1 Candidate Megan Harris said, “One of the best ways to approach redevelopment (and affordable housing) in the north end is to make sure our community feels heard and their thoughts, concerns and creative ideas are a part of the process.”
Harris said the problem affects business owners who are unsure about the stability of operating in Sandy Springs because their employees might not be able to afford to live in the city. The north end of the city from Roswell and Dalrymple Roads to the Chattahoochee River includes practically all of District 2 and a portion of District 1.
Harris is challenger to Councilman John Paulson, who cited four privately owned shopping centers in the north end of town that Sandy Springs has asked developers to turn into mixed-use developments of better-quality retail, along with luxury and affordable housing.
Paulson said redevelopment of the north end is complex and something the city has tried to address for nearly nine years.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what these developers come back with,” Paulson said. “... They want to redevelop them as well. These shopping centers are older so they want to bring them up and make them current.”
In August, Paul told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the development community has ignored what Sandy Springs is trying to do in mixed-used development and was only interested in building more apartments.
Candidates in the Sandy Springs City Council Race
To vote in the Nov. 2 election, voters must register by Oct. 4. The last day to request an absentee ballot will be Oct. 22. Voters can apply for an absentee ballot through the Fulton County website at fultoncountyga.gov. Absentee ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at drop boxes located inside early voting locations during early voting hours. Early voting will take place Oct. 12 – 29. Early voting locations will be open 7 days a week, 9a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, go to: https://www.sandyspringsga.gov/voting-and-elections.
The following candidates have qualified to run:
Mayor:
Rusty Paul (I)
Dontaye Carter
District 1
John Paulson (I)
Megan Harris
District 2
Dr. Melody Kelley
Linda Trickey
District 3
Melissa Mular
Leslie Mullis
Eric Newberg
District 4
Jody Reichel (I)
Tochie Blad
Vernon Graham
Michelle Sullivan
District 5
Tibby DeJulio (I)
Colin Hubbard
District 6
Andy Bauman (I)
Jeff Howe
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