DeKalb County Commissioner Sharon Barnes Sutton says she didn't spend any tax money on a festival last weekend that featured several musical performances.

The event’s sponsors and business supporters paid for the Good Day Festival, which included an appearance on stage by recording artist B.o.B., Sutton said.

Sutton said the owner of a recently opened restaurant, the Atrium, asked her to help bring people to the event at Memorial Square Shopping Center on Sunday.

“I thought it was a great idea because that shopping center has been struggling for a long time,” Sutton said. “It was an opportunity for families to get together, spend time together and spend money at establishments that are close to the neighborhoods.”

Sutton advertised the festival with emailed fliers last week, but she said it wasn’t a political or campaign-related event.

“I am an advocate for the people all the time. I’m not going to stop that just because there’s an election coming up and my political opponents are uncomfortable with my great work,” Sutton said.

Sutton faces two opponents in the May 24 Democratic primary election: Steve Bradshaw and Lance Hammonds. The winner of the primary will face Willie Willis, the only Republican candidate, in the November general election.

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