For Steve Bradshaw, it's simple: DeKalb County needs to change the way it's governed and that means changing those who have been governing it.
For Sharon Barnes Sutton, it’s also simple: Her record as a DeKalb County commissioner speaks for itself. She supported funding for the Wade Walker YMCA, park improvements and a proposed library in District 4, which includes nearly 150,000 residents in the Stone Mountain area.
The two candidates squared off in a heated debate Monday over who's best suited for a key DeKalb Commission seat. The runoff election is July 26.
Bradshaw said he would restore integrity to county government and work with other commissioners to end divisiveness in local government.
Sutton said she’s the victim of smears from political opponents whom she routinely fights for scarce government resources.
It was the first debate in advance of an election that could swing the county’s balance of power. Bradshaw received the most votes in last month’s primary election but fell short of a majority needed to win the three-way race outright.
Bradshaw said during the candidate forum at The Water’s Edge subdivision he would heal county government and collaborate with his colleagues.
“I’m sick and tired of this county being torn asunder — north-sound, black-white. It’s holding us back,” said Bradshaw, an Army veteran and businessman. “I’m for working together, across racial lines, across party lines, and serving the interests of this district. … We can do better than this.”
Sutton, who was first elected in 2008, said she has delivered results despite a commission that has split 3-3 on several votes for how and where to spend government money.
She said pending claims of unethical behavior are unsubstantiated. Sutton has sued the DeKalb Board of Ethics to prevent it from considering allegations that she received free YMCA memberships, misused her county charge card and spent public money to pay her boyfriend for consulting services.
“If I had done all those things they said that I did, I’d be in jail right now,” said Sutton, a former teacher. “I’m not one of the ones who’s been indicted. I’m not one of the ones who went to prison. I’m still standing here.”
Bradshaw said DeKalb needs to change the way it’s governed, and he said voters shouldn’t buy into Sutton’s brand of us-versus-them politics.
“You can believe the hype and the propaganda if you want to — that’s your right as a citizen,” he said. “But I’m here to work, not to play games, not too mess around, not to be engaged in divisiveness. Let’s lock arms, work together and move this great county forward.”
Sutton countered that she has been an effective commissioner.
“There are some people who don’t want to work with me. So if that’s the case, that’s when I have to put on the boxing gloves and fight for you, fight for your rights,” Sutton said.
She said Bradshaw is backed by her political rivals, Commissioners Kathie Gannon and Jeff Rader, who each donated $250 to his campaign. Bradshaw responded that he couldn’t be bought by campaign contributions.
Bradshaw said he has the temperament and skills for the job on the DeKalb Commission, citing his his experience in business, in the military and as a Georgia State University public policy professor.
“My decision-making will be based on reasoning and solid judgment,” he said. “Ethics and integrity have got to be at the top of the list.”
Sutton said her district has been denied its fair share of government resources, and she would work to secure funding she believes is deserved.
“I’m going to stand up for you,” she said. “In spite of all of the slandering things, all of the smears, I have been successful in delivering for District 4.”
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