People First

The Cobb County budget has surged from $1BILLION to almost $1.3 BILLION (or 30%) in just three budget cycles. This rate of growth is simply unsustainable. Ask yourself: has your income risen 30% over the last 3 years? 

Our Infrastructure should be our top priority...especially drinking water, sewer treatment,  storm water management systems and our streets. However, the Board of Commissioners) BoC is still transferring $14 MILLION annually (5% of Water Department revenue) into the General Fund. Even if you assume that the programs that are funded by the transfer are worthy endeavors, imagine if the drinking water quality suffers or the sewer treatment plants fail? What if the continued neglect of the storm water system leads to flooding in your home? What about potholes in our streets?

That $14 MILLION is just 1% of the BoC proposed total budget. And yet, the BoC has already approved raising water and storm sewer rates annually, 3.5% and 2.5% respectively, for each of the next 5 years. Last year private citizen groups rallied successfully to derail a proposed storm water fee proposal that would have added even more costs on your water bill. These already announced rate hikes feel like a workaround to those efforts. A little back of the napkin math shows that they are playing 3 card Monty with that $14 MILLION, if not more.

Can no waste or fraud be trimmed out of the budget to at least freeze the General Fund and stop this unsustainable general fund growth? Why not charge Developers, that profit heavily from their developments IMPACT FEES, to reduce the tax burden on the existing residents? Those new projects are major factors that cause much of the actual impacts on that same local infrastructure. In my career, when building commercial projects across the country, we regularly paid $30,000 or more in Impact Fees to permit new facilities. Why is this burden constantly shifted to the People that already live here and are adding no more burden to the systems? 

Follow the money. The solution isn't more fees on hardworking residents, but holding those who profit the most, accountable for their impacts. This simply one method that we should look at as a way to solve our infrastructure funding issues.

Transparency is the cornerstone of a trusting relationship between the government officials and the People they serve. Too often governmental processes are out of public view, leaving citizens in the dark about decisions affecting their communities. Secret meetings, unofficial advisory boards and the constant hiring of consultants without a full public disclosure can disenfranchise the People and breed mistrust. To rebuild this trust, sharing as much information as possible and allowing public access to data and deliberations is essential.

As someone who regularly attends the BoC meetings, I see firsthand the lack of detail in presentations, particularly for significant expenditures of taxpayer dollars. For instance, when Public Works and infrastructure proposals are brought forward, they often lack drawings or specifications of these items, presenting only the bare minimum language required for a vote. 

 While I appreciate the county staff’s willingness to provide additional information when asked, this information should be shared upfront during meetings, ensuring everyone understands the proposals at the time of the vote.

The number of consultants that are hired on a regular basis, often for substantial sums, without adequate detail or justification, is equally concerning. While I support hiring Engineering and Design Consultants for critical infrastructure projects, I believe these contracts should prioritize local companies with a vested interest in our community’s success. 

I am incredibly uncomfortable with hiring policy consultants, particularly those that are headquartered outside of the state and county. The People elect officials to propose and make policy decisions, not to outsource governance to individuals who may not share our community’s values or priorities. When out-of-state consultants are hired without complete transparency, it creates the perception of impropriety, if not the reality. Otherwise, we are entrusting folks that may not even live here to guide our governance.

Cobb County faces a pressing affordable and attainable housing crisis, and it is disheartening to see little meaningful progress despite ongoing discussions and the formation of advisory boards. The time for talk has passed—it's time for action.

The first step is recognizing that the initial planning process is flawed. Developers, with their inherent profit motives, should not lead this process. Their involvement at the outset creates a conflict of interest, as their goal is ultimately financial gain, not community affordability.

We must also protect our existing neighborhoods. Too often, proposed solutions sacrifice established communities for high-density developments without regard for the long-term impacts on these existing areas' character, infrastructure, and livability. Affordable housing solutions should not come at the expense of our neighborhoods' stability.

To address the core issue, we must start with the root of the problem: the cost of land. For example, when a builder purchases a developed lot for $100,000, they must construct and sell a home at a significantly higher price—often $400,000 or more—to cover overhead and remain profitable. High-density developments, while increasing housing stock, inadvertently drive up land prices in nearby areas, further exacerbating affordability challenges. This cyclical problem—thinking high-density development alone is the solution—is a classic Catch-22.

Another critical issue is the lack of vetting for proposed solutions. Many ideas are put forward without proper analysis or supporting data. Most notably, "affordability" has yet to be clearly defined with concrete numbers. What constitutes affordable rent or homeownership? We cannot create solutions with measurable outcomes until we identify and publicly post these figures. Solving this problem requires more than words—it demands math. As someone with a background in building projects, I know firsthand that no successful development can move forward without clearly defined financial goals.

One promising solution is utilizing some of the county's existing resources. Cobb County owns a significant inventory of land that could be developed through public-private partnerships. This approach would allow for the creation of housing tailored to an established definition of affordability. A priority could be given to county employees and first responders—those who serve our community but often cannot afford to live here.

Finally, we must also consider long-term solutions that address income disparities. As a friend often says, we should improve skill sets and marketability, enabling individuals to increase their earning potential and afford higher-cost housing options.

Cobb County deserves leaders who take action, not just talk, on housing affordability. By addressing land costs, protecting existing neighborhoods, vetting solutions with proper data, and leveraging public resources, we can create sustainable solutions that serve our community now and in the future. We must think outside the box and be innovative in our solutions.

Let me be clear: I am NOT against transit and mobility projects.   

I oppose poorly conceived plans that lack foresight, transparency, and modern solutions. The 30-year, 1% sales tax MSPLOST initiative was a glaring example of this—a boondoggle driven by outdated ideas and bad data, championed by consultants with financial incentives to prioritize raising money over solving real transportation challenges. As someone with decades of experience in the construction industry, I know that poor planning and design inevitably lead to financial disasters. We can do better!

First, we should focus on making immediate, meaningful improvements using the $38 million already budgeted for 2025. I propose targeted actions to serve those most in need, including free, limited transit for needs-based individuals. For everyone else, it’s time for the first fare increase in 14 years which would be a modest step to ensure the system is sustainable. Do you know that revenues are so low that 90 cents of every Transit dollar comes from the taxpayers either in the form of General Fund contributions or grants? That trend is unsustainable, especially when ridership continues on a downward trend, here and nationally.

But funding alone isn’t enough. We need accurate, actionable data. Over the next couple of years, we should invest in collecting real-time information about transit usage—how many riders board and disembark at various stops, their peak travel times, and common routes. Armed with this data, we can redesign routes and allocate resources to make the system more efficient and genuinely useful for the community.

Community engagement is another critical component. We must actively reach out to residents to understand their transit needs instead of imposing one-size-fits-all solutions. Listening to the people who use and rely on transit will help us build a system that works for them.

In addition to improving existing services, we should embrace innovative partnerships. Public-private collaborations with Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) like Uber, Lyft and local vendors could provide cost-effective transit options. For instance, vehicles with 15 or fewer passengers don’t require CDL-licensed drivers, significantly reducing operating costs. A great example is a current private van service that connects retirement communities to shopping centers—a low-cost, high-impact solution that benefits everyone involved.

Once we’ve addressed the needs of those who depend on transit the most, we can reassess priorities and consider the future. The key to success is focus. As I’ve learned in my business career, you cannot be all things to all people. Instead, we must identify who we aim to serve and ensure their needs are met first.

Looking ahead, we must also embrace the potential of 21st-century technology. With advancements in driverless vehicles and other innovations, it’s time to move forward—not backward—by adopting solutions that fit a modern, evolving world. National ridership for traditional systems has been in steep decline, a trend accelerated by remote work. Let’s not tether ourselves to a failing model when the future offers so much promise.

Cobb County deserves an efficient, equitable, and forward-thinking transit system. By making smart investments, leveraging data, fostering partnerships, and embracing innovation, we can build a system that meets today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

In this era of division and tribalism, I invite you to step into our shared tent — a space where every voice matters and every concern is heard. Recently, a competitor dismissed me as a "Democrat in name only," a label that only serves to attempt to alienate. But I prefer to embrace being a 'DINOsaur' — a fiscal conservative with a blend of moderate social beliefs that defy categorization. In the past, I never identified blindly with any political party, choosing instead to stand on principles rather than partisanship.

I believe in the power of collaboration. While I may not fit neatly into any political box, I have built bridges with individuals from both sides of the aisle. My decisions are guided by the impact of policies rather than partisanship. My commitment is to ALL residents of District 2, 

ensuring governance is about serving you—not advancing an agenda.

Through my involvement in Board of Commissioners meetings and Marietta City Council sessions, I've consistently advocated for sound policies without resorting to partisan attacks, regardless of which party holds the majority. I've spoken out on critical issues, such as the Home Rule debate, where I opposed the unconstitutional county-drawn map but supported Commissioner Richardson's right to finish her term. Debate, not division, is the cornerstone of progress. I listen, negotiate, and strive for win-win solutions—always fostering an environment where disagreement doesn't hinder collaboration.

In these challenging times, I stand firmly against double-digit tax increases that burden families struggling to make ends meet. Fiscal responsibility is not just a talking point for me—it's a commitment. The government should serve the people, not add to their hardships. The issues we face, from rising costs to pressing social concerns, demand collective effort, creative problem-solving, and an understanding that most challenges don't have simple, binary solutions.

It is very frustrating and disheartening when I hear people that say ‘I would never vote for a Democrat’ or ‘I would never vote for a Republican’. That is a form of tribalism and division that destroys our ability to discuss and solve real issues with one another. No none is 100% right all of the time And it is time that we stopped folks from dividing us using any metric!

Most of us seek common ground somewhere between the extremes. Together, we can build a community where diverse perspectives drive positive change rather than divide us. My opponent's attempt to label me a threat reflects a broader issue—the need to elevate policy and personal character above political attacks and divisive rhetoric.

One of us is a career politician. The other? Just like you—a citizen who wants better for our community. I would gladly debate my opponents anytime, anywhere because transparency and dialogue are essential to democracy. As a citizen activist, I stand here not as a career politician but as one of you—ready to listen, learn, and lead.

Let's create a future where policies reflect the needs of our community and every resident feels heard, valued, and empowered. I'm asking for your support—not just as a candidate but as someone dedicated to genuinely representing the voices of District 2.

If you place your trust in me, I promise to be your advocate, your collaborator, and your representative. I hope to earn the chance to get to know you, for you to get to know me and to serve you as your District 2 commissioner—if you deem me worthy of that honor.