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COMMUNITY
s
Event
unenforceable. They cost us precious
time and money, and do not provide
the firm foundation for growth that
the city needs.
Our situation is widely understood
by the people of Sandy Springs, and I
have been encouraged to run by peo
ple I’ve worked with across the city be
cause they recognize in me:
Someone who is known for listen
ing, for providing a voice of reason in
difficult situations, for respecting dif
ferences while seeking resolution;
Someone who is the voice of the
people she represents, and who is pre
pared to fight relentlessly on their be
half;
Someone who has proven them
selves as a vocal advocate for ordinance
enforcement and reform;
Someone who supports setting a
development path that aligns with
neighborhood protection and en
hancement;
Someone who is a strong leader, ca
pable of helping to steer the city in the
right direction.
I am running because the people of
Sandy Springs have asked me to run.
Graham E. Mc
Donald
Occupation: At
torney
Prior political ex
perience: This is
my first campaign
for public office.
I have been ex
tremely active in
the communi
ty in which I am so invested, serv
ing as president of the North Harbor
Neighborhood Association, vice chair
man of the city of Sandy Springs Eco
nomic Development Advisory Com
mittee (EDAC), and on the Board of
Trustees for Leadership Sandy Springs.
These and other community engage
ments furthered my passion for Sandy
Springs, and prompted me to broaden
my contributions by seeking a seat on
the City Council.
Why are you seeking this posi
tion?
As the father of a young fami
ly, homeowner and business owner
here in Sandy Springs, I am passion
ate about, and deeply invested in, the
future of this city. I am in it for the
long haul. I believe in being an active
and engaged citizen, and have eager
ly embraced positions including pres
ident, and prior vice president, of my
homeowners association, member of
the Board of Trustees of Leadership
Sandy Springs, and vice chairman of
the Economic Development Advisory
Committee (to which I was appointed
by Mayor Galambos).
Why should voters choose you?
I believe that the body of knowl
edge and experience that I have gained
over the past several years makes me
well prepared to contribute to this
community as Councilman of District
3.
As president, and prior vice pres
ident, of the North Harbor Neigh
borhood Association, I have come to
know first-hand the challenges the city
and fellow families face in managing
and safeguarding our neighborhoods
against traffic. As a local attorney, I
am well equipped to provide insight
and analysis related to the legal issues
that are involved in almost every area
in which the city has responsibility.
Through my mayor-appointed posi
tion on the Economic Development
Advisory Committee, I recognize the
importance of smart and balanced
growth for our city.
Campaign webpage: www.mcdon-
aldforsandysprings.com
District 4
Tochie Blad
Occupation: Re
search librarian
Prior political ex
perience: Appoint
ed by mayor of San
dy Springs to Tree
Advisory Com
mittee; appointed
by Fulton County
Commission to the
Fulton County Citizens Commission on
the Environment (1998-2000).
Why are you seeking this position?
With the advent of the new city, the
Sandy Springs’ neighborhoods were
promised protection from intrusive zon-
ings and a voice in the city’s development
plans. That said, we need more balance
on City Council. I want to represent the
neighborhoods and stop intrusive zon-
ings as well as seek residents’ input on
both the City Center project and budget
surpluses. This summer, City Council
approved a 26-story office tower next to
residential in District 4 and new apart
ments on Peachtree Dunwoody Road.
As we know, with more density, our in
frastructure and roads rapidly exceed
their capacity. I have worked with San
dy Springs Council of Neighborhoods
to represent HOAs to protect neighbor
hoods from unwanted density caused by
redevelopment. I am now stepping up to
represent you, the residents of District
4, in an elected capacity to ensure your
voice is heard.
Why should voters choose you? I
moved to Sandy Springs in 1995 and
raised my two daughters here. I have
been involved in my community even
before we became a city. I am stepping up
to serve the public after working many
years in leadership roles in both my chil
dren’s schools and community groups.
I have effectively worked acquiring land
for parks and green space with the Sandy
Springs Conservancy, protecting neigh
borhoods as a board member of the San
dy Springs Council of Neighborhoods,
and addressing needs of the communi
ty as board member of Leadership San
dy Springs. We need a government that
is open and transparent and accessible to
its citizens. Elected officials should be
held accountable for their decisions. As
your neighbor, I want to represent you
CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
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