Roswell Post 6

James Hargreaves

[Editor’s Note: Mr. Hargreaves did not respond by presstime. His questions and answers will run in a future edition.]

Alpharetta Post 1

Doug DeRito

[Editor’s Note: Mr. DeRito did not respond by presstime. His questions and answers will run in a future edition.]

Roswell Post 6

Nancy Diamond

Roswell budget Director Mike Erwin projects that the city will have exhausted its reserves in five years. What is your solution to this?

The FY2010 budget included the use of reserve funds toward some maintenance capital items, including 22 police vehicles to replace some in our aging fleet. Generations of conservative practices by Roswell government have afforded us an undesignated reserve fund above policy levels. Mr. Erwin’s projections assume that use of these funds and current income levels will be an ongoing pattern in the years to come. I would support seeking additional spending cuts wherever possible. However, I know of no one who moved to Roswell seeking the cheapest government, and I would work to provide additional funding options through bonds or other additional revenue sources before I would support a major reduction in the services that set us apart from other cities.

What specifically differentiates your positions, and your approach, from your opponent(s)?

My opponents advocate district representation – I believe we have enough division in Roswell and our Councilmembers should represent all of Roswell, not just their own turf.

One advocates starting communication between the city and Fulton County Schools. Through long-standing relationships with city officials, school principals and board members, I have facilitated this communication for a number of years.

Do you think there is a crime problem in the city?

When economic difficulties increase, crime often does as well. I believe our police department is proactive and responsive, and Roswell is one of the safest cities in the country. The job of policing our city is made more difficult, however, by the over-capacity of apartments, which create too many short-term tenants with no roots or concern for the community. Redeveloping some of these areas will reduce that capacity, allowing landlords to be more particular about tenants, have income to make improvements, reduce strain on schools and ultimately reduce crime.

Roswell and its code enforcement division have a state-wide reputation of being unfriendly to business. What are your specific plans for economic development in the city?

Revamping the way we deal with business is at the heart of addressing virtually all of the other issues the city faces. Rewriting, simplifying and streamlining our ordinances and processes are critical. At the same time, we have to convince the business community within Roswell and outside that we are ready to help them help us all succeed.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

This sounds like a simple idea – who wouldn’t want to limit tax increases? As with most legislation, the devil is in the details. In the complicated formula of revenue, tax digests and mileage rates, and how they are adjusted, assessed and rolled back, it’s my view that the primary concern here is simply one of local control. With all due respect to our state legislators, it is my belief that the transparency this bill seeks to provide is something we have already come to expect in Roswell. Further, the inequities this could create in tax bills from one neighbor to the next could impede the resale side of our housing market, which scarcely needs more pressure.

Do you favor term-limits for Council Members?

Personally, I do not envision myself being a council representative for decades. In nonprofit organizations, many of the most successful ones have regular rotations of talent and leadership. We have had leaders in Roswell who have been long and short term, and the voters have decided when they wanted a change. But, as a potential representative of Roswell citizens, I have found that concerns over voter apathy have created support limits. I do not believe this is a council decision. Only a ballot initiative would ensure the voters’ rights are protected.

Roswell Post 6

Alex Fudali

Roswell budget Director Mike Erwin projects that the city will have exhausted its reserves in five years. What is your solution to this?

I do not favor raising taxes. The city has to look for opportunities to eliminate waste, streamline operations and potential duplication of services. Scheduled purchases, programs and projects should be reviewed and prioritized to determine what is essential and what can be deferred or eliminated. It’s critical to do this in a way that ensures our valued resources, like our parks and public safety divisions, are adequately funded, and ensures the city’s financial integrity remains solid. Drawing on the reserve fund can be an option, but it should be an option of last resort.

What specifically differentiates your positions, and your approach, from your opponent(s)?

I have elected office experience as deputy mayor in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. in the late 1980s. I can bring this invaluable experience to the city of Roswell. I will not need on the job training. I am striving to be a multi-dimensional candidate. While others are telling the residents of Roswell they can get along, I am talking about specific issues and presenting new ideas. Nine out of ten residents in Roswell cannot identify their Council, a fact acknowledged by many of the candidates in recent debates. Having representation by districts will change this. I am the only candidate talking about and promoting this idea.

Do you think there is a crime problem in the city?  

Generally speaking I believe Roswell is fairly safe. With a downturn in the economy, we are experiencing an increase in some levels of crime. We may want to re-evaluate our distribution of police patrols. This is something the leadership in the police department in collaboration with the Mayor and Council should review.

Roswell and its code enforcement division have a state-wide reputation of being unfriendly to business. What are your specific plans for economic development in the city?

I will apply 3 simple principles when dealing with our business community: Listen to issues and concerns, provide an environment of support and be fair. Customer service will be the foundation of every interaction I have with Roswell residents and the business community.

We need to pursue county, state, federal (stimulus funding) and private grants designed for redevelopment of underperforming and underserved areas of the community. We need to encourage commercial property owners, developers and merchants to upgrade/redevelop existing retail space and shopping centers in a manner that creates a sense of character and charm. Some of this is beginning to happen in Roswell today. It has to continue happening and, if we elect the right people, it will. I will make this a cornerstone of every decision I make. The way an area or district looks and feels can be enough to attract business interests into a community. At the same time, we need to be flexible with some of our codes.

Providing an environment of support for Roswell businesses makes sense for three simple reasons. Thriving businesses in a community support our tax base, create jobs in the community and provide shopping, dining, entertainment and cultural conveniences for our residents

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

I do conceptually. However, I believe this is a complex issue, and is something that needs to be looked at in greater detail.

Do you favor term-limits for Council Members?

I favor term limits for Councilmembers. I believe the ability to take risks, stay fresh and innovative gets replaced with caution and preoccupation of the next election.

Alpharetta Post 2

Aubrey Osteen

Prospect Park has now become a dilapidated eyesore for the city. what is your solution to Prospect Park and other semi-developed projects in the city?

Prospect Park, which lies directly behind my place of residence, is another victim of bankruptcy and our depressed economy. Our city government is closely monitoring this situation with the bank, who currently holds the property. The ultimate solution is to find a developer with the funds to complete this project. Until this happens, it is not feasible to spend large amounts of money on this land. A temporary but cost effective measure to improve its appearance might be to plant grass and remove the orange erosion barrier fences.

What specifically differentiates your positions from your opponent(s)?

My position varies chiefly from my opponent’s in that I place a strong emphasis on law enforcement. My background in law enforcement and the Fulton County District Attorneys’ Office gives me experience with, and a special interest in, this area of government. We are currently facing a local increase in car break ins. Finding a way to make our police presence more visible could help in preventing this crime.

The Alpharetta council has been divided on whether to accept federal stimulus money to improve the city. Where do you stand on accepting this money?

I agree with city manager Bob Regis who feels that the federal stimulus money would be a great help in repairing and updating our roads and infrastructure and that the “strings” attached offer no significant obstacles.

How much bond debt would you be willing to take on for infrastructure improvement projects and why?

Before we reconsider a $24 million bond referendum, we need to evaluate our financial position in reference to our economy and our dropping property values which will decrease our annual revenues. When our economy does improve, it would be great to have a beautiful new city hall, but I do not advocate building it in conjunction with a project that would compete with private merchants.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

The potential for legislation which caps the tax increases on both residential and commercial property points to the importance of directing immediate attention to reevaluating and uncovering discrepancies in property assessment. As a former member of the Fulton County tax Assessors’ Board I know that such discrepancies are common and create a situation of lost revenue and unfairness to the property tax population as a whole. When the task of fair evaluation is completed, I do support this measure.

Alpharetta Post 2

Mike Kennedy

Prospect Park has now become a dilapidated eyesore for the city. what is your solution to Prospect Park and other semi-developed projects in the city?

The number of empty and abandoned retail centers and commercial properties around town concerns me. Alpharetta has a Property Maintenance Code which must be enforced and even strengthened to make sure that the owners of these abandoned properties keep the sites clean and well maintained. On Prospect Park specifically, the developer of the site has obviously abandoned the project. I agree with recent council discussion that the city should make it clear to the property owner that the Prospect Park site needs to be cleaned up and the unfinished parking deck, in particular, needs to be removed. If the developer is not responsive, the city should pursue any remedies available under the law to have the site cleaned up and subsequently place a lien on the property to recoup the expense to taxpayers. We also need to do everything possible to get Westside Parkway completed and open through the Prospect Park site.

What specifically differentiates your positions from your opponent(s)?

I have lived in Alpharetta for more than 11 years while my opponent is a relative newcomer to the area. I am a Republican, he is a Democrat. I have been much more involved in our community through my service on several civic boards, committees and neighborhood associations. I have served as the Vice-Chairman of the Alpharetta Development Authority, which assists city leaders on economic development issues. I also served as Chairman of the Alpharetta Redevelopment Powers Committee. That committee was comprised of a group of community leaders who helped promote the development of a vibrant and exciting downtown area at little or no cost to Alpharetta taxpayers. Further, as a member of the Kimball Bridge Coalition, I have worked with our elected city officials, city staff, neighborhood representatives and developers to promote quality development and smart growth while maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods.

The Alpharetta council has been divided on whether to accept federal stimulus money to improve the city. Where do you stand on accepting this money?

I understand both sides of this issue. On one hand, someone has to stand up and say I refuse to be a part of mortgaging the future of our kids and grandkids. On the other hand, Alpharetta taxpayers are on the hook for the money borrowed from China (or printed) so there’s a case to be made to using the money here as well. As long as the federal dollars are steered toward badly needed infrastructure projects, such a road repair and traffic improvements, I’m OK with it. I’m not OK with wasting federal money just because it’s available.

How much bond debt would you be willing to take on for infrastructure improvement projects and why?

I was glad to see the City Center project put on hold. I was not comfortable with the most recent proposal which left taxpayers with far more exposure. The city has a very manageable debt load at the present time and even that debt obligation is scheduled to decline dramatically in just a few years. This will give the city an incredible amount of financial flexibility for future infrastructure projects.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

A state-mandated tax assessment cap as constructed in HR 1 is a bad idea. Among its many flaws, it would potentially lead to wildly divergent tax bills among homeowners based on length of time they had lived in their homes. Admittedly, our Fulton County Tax Assessors office has been in disarray for the better part of 15 years. However there are remedies at the county level for property owners who believe they are being unfairly assessed. There is no need for a state mandate.

Alpharetta Post 3

John Keim

Prospect Park has now become a dilapidated eyesore for the city. what is your solution to Prospect Park and other semi-developed projects in the city?

Prospect Park is a disaster that, if we follow my plan, will *never* happen again. As Councilman, I will require that all projects of this magnitude have an insurance bond that would cover the costs of completion or demolition in the event of a builder bankruptcy. This proposal was not required in Alpharetta before, though I trust that it will be if I am elected Councilman. All current projects must be brought to structural and aesthetic code. This may well include removing existing structures at the property owners’ expense.

What specifically differentiates your positions from your opponent(s)?

Both Mr.. Owens and Mr. Miller displayed in our recent debate [Beacon Debate, 10/16/09] that they are far more comfortable with debt than me, as Owens went so far as to endorse the liberal theory that government infrastructure projects stimulate our economy. I strongly disagree and see such projects as a drain on the true growth engine of our economy, private investment. Mr. Miller declared his comfort with the long term underfunding of our pension plan while my objective is to remain fully funded each year. My intention is to see our city with no net debt by the end of my term.

The Alpharetta council has been divided on whether to accept federal stimulus money to improve the city. Where do you stand on accepting this money?

This is not a simple yes or no answer. I disagree with the belief that the government can create long-term growth in the economy by arbitrarily spending funds on projects that have no long-term benefit (for example, stimulus checks and cash for clunkers have been ineffective programs that have just increased our federal debt). That said, even broken clocks are right two times a day. There may well be a project that does coincide with the wise and proper direction that council seeks to undertake, bridge safety for example. If we accept funds for a project that truly does make economic sense for our citizens, even if we disagree with the federal rationale, I would accept the allocation.

How much bond debt would you be willing to take on for infrastructure improvement projects and why?

As I look at the Federal Debt, which approximates $60 trillion in a $15 trillion economy, a 10 percent unemployment rate and the specter of inflation in the next few years, I am comfortable with no additional debt and applaud council for their decision to table the City Center project.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

Because Fulton County government has systematically abused North Fulton homeowners with inflated home prices and taxes, I support, in principle, limiting assessment increases that Fulton Assessors can assign. Homeowners deserve property tax relief. There is clearly a problem when tens of thousands of homeowners are appealing their property values assigned by Fulton County. I will be a strong advocate for stopping these inflated property values. I view this as another reason why we must pursue separating from Fulton County and re-establishing Milton County.

Alpharetta Post 3

Tom Miller

Prospect Park has now become a dilapidated eyesore for the city. What is your solution to Prospect Park and other semi-developed projects in the city?

The Prospect Park debacle was caused by an ambitious, inexperienced developer. My opponent, Chris Owens, was a principal engineer on Prospect Park from concept to City Council approval, representing the developer.

I favor making the site safe using Alpharetta’s emergency ordinance.  I also favor working to open Westside Parkway to relieve traffic. City Council is vigorously pursuing these goals. I favor site beautification, but not using City funds for costly demolition.

Prospect Park had four redesigns from 2004-2008 that I followed closely. With this knowledge, I envision working with the developer and his creditors on a new Master Plan that could be a bold asset to Alpharetta. I would like a less intense development with more greenspace that would not harm Downtown and North Point businesses.

What specifically differentiates your positions from your opponent(s)?

I want to be your Councilman because I have a long record of supporting Alpharetta’s quality of life. My opponent, Chris Owens, wants to implement Sustainable Communities and Green Cities concepts, which promote more high density, mass transit and mixed use developments like Prospect Park. Many of these social planning concepts have been widely debunked of their benefits. My opponent John Keim seems preoccupied with national issues and will serve only one term.

I am the only candidate who questioned the $25 million Alpharetta City Center project that was proved not to be viable. I am the only candidate who asked for protections during Prospect Park rezonings in 2007 and 2008. I am the only candidate who protected our schools from overcrowding by speaking against additional apartments and condominiums. I am the only candidate who participated in creating the Downtown Plan. At budget hearings I have asked City Council to fund roads, parks, greenspace and walking trails.

During that time, Mr. Owens represented the interests of developers, who are now visibly supporting his campaign. Mr. Keim’s “real involvement” was coaching his children’s sports teams. My opponents have created their campaigns using political consultants. If the voters of Alpharetta judge us by our past actions and not our current words, the contrast is obvious.

The Alpharetta council has been divided on whether to accept federal stimulus money to improve the city. Where do you stand on accepting this money?

Alpharetta awaited state DOT funds for years. With stimulus money, projects that are important to our quality of life and economic development are underway. We need to continue to relieve traffic congestion in Crabapple, Downtown, Kimball Bridge, Old Milton Parkway and Windward areas. Our citizens pay federal taxes, so Alpharetta should accept stimulus funds. While I favor tax cuts, accepting stimulus funds was best for the citizens.

How much bond debt would you be willing to take on for infrastructure improvement projects, and why?

Over half of Alpharetta’s bonds will be paid off by 2013, which will allow over $25 million of bonding capacity. In 2013 the City’s annual debt costs will drop by $7 million which can fund capital projects or reduce taxes. The citizens will help decide. Until 2013 Alpharetta should avoid new debt due to the recession.

Bonds built the Alpharetta that we enjoy today, including our major roads, parks, greenspace and walking trails. Bonds funded fire stations and police facilities. With a AAA bond rating, Alpharetta has low interest costs. Bonds are the best way to fund large projects.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

I do not support this bill, HR1, which would freeze property assessments. This would create inequities among homeowners and businesses, making it less attractive to live or do business in Alpharetta. School funding could also be hurt. However, we should study some assistance to Seniors on fixed incomes.

Alpharetta Post 3

Chris Owens

Prospect Park has now become a dilapidated eyesore for the city. what is your solution to Prospect Park and other semi-developed projects in the city?

I am in favor of enforcing Alpharetta’s Codes and Ordinances.  Code enforcement issues should be dealt with on any project in Alpharetta, including Prospect Park. Within its legal authority, the City should seek to have the safety issues corrected by the property owner. I believe that taxpayer dollars should only be spent as a last resort, even when liens can be placed.

Also, Westside Parkway MUST be opened to traffic. This is a critical gap in our transportation infrastructure that when completed will reduce congestion on Main Street, Webb Bridge Road, Morris Road, Cumming Street and the North Point/ Old Milton intersection.

What specifically differentiates your positions from your opponent(s)?

We have excellent resources at our disposal to attract and encourage high-quality, desirable business to come to our City: a full-time City Economic Development Coordinator; two State-enabled Boards - the Development Authority and the Downtown Development Authority - both comprised of citizen appointees selected by the City Council; and the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce has economic development resources in-house. All of these energies should be focused on attracting and encouraging businesses to occupy buildings and developments that are already constructed.

I believe in addressing long term plans and short term needs in a balanced and positive manner. Council is not a platform for personal agendas or federal issues.

Our long term plans must include our Comprehensive Land Use Plan, specifically the amendment that is due in 2011. We must study development patterns that have occurred and set our course for the future accordingly. A Comprehensive Transportation Plan that identifies needed improvements is also key. Finally, these two plans must be linked and complement one another. Only then will we truly be prepared for the economic recovery.

Our short term needs must also be addressed. We must focus our precious tax dollars on maximizing the efficiency of our existing transportation network. Traffic signal timing and intersection improvements can provide a very high rate of return on our investments. Alternatives to the car must also be included, such as filling gaps in our sidewalks, adding bike lanes and extending the Greenway.

The Alpharetta council has been divided on whether to accept federal stimulus money to improve the city. Where do you stand on accepting this money?

I believe that Federal Stimulus funds which meet the original intent of the ARRA bill – those that truly stimulate the economy and create jobs – should be considered as viable funding sources for projects that Alpharetta has defined as necessary to the quality of life in our community. I do not believe that we should make a “grab” for dollars without a specific purpose and need. Another important aspect to Federal Stimulus funding is to understand of any future financial obligations that may come with accepting funds today. We should be aware of any “back end” costs that may be associated with these dollars.

How much bond debt would you be willing to take on for infrastructure improvement projects and why?

I believe that any project that would require the City to take on debt must first pass a rigorous purpose and need study to ensure that it is justified and that reasonable alternatives have been weighed and considered. After that, it is up to the City’s taxpayers to approve any Bond debt that is incurred. Debt for its own sake is never good and should be avoided.

Do you favor a Ga. Constitutional Amendment to cap property assessment tax increases to 3 percent per year?

I do not support this initiative. I believe in local control of our tax digest and the equitable distribution of the costs required to provide services. The proposed legislation did not address these issues appropriately.