Candidate Profile: Lee Heard Tucker For Johns Creek City Council

JOHNS CREEK — Nine city council candidates qualified for four seats in Johns Creek Nov. 2 municipal election, two of which are running for the Council Post 1 seat.

Lee Heard Tucker and Dilip Tunki have qualified as candidates for Johns Creek City Council Post 1. There is no incumbent for this seat as current Post 1 Council Member Lenny Zaprowski is not seeking re-election.

November 2, 2021 Municipal General/Special Election sample ballots are available for review at the Georgia My Voter Page. Enter your information in order to access a personalized sample ballot.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

LeWanna "Lee" Heard-Tucker is running for Johns Creek City Council Post 1 against Dilip Tunki.

Age (as of Election Day)

43

Position Sought

Johns Creek City Council Post 1 At-Large

Party Affiliation

Non-partisan.

Family

My daughter, Harper, is the light of my life.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of Arkansas. I have a Master's Degree in Political Communications form the University of Oxford.

Occupation

Regional Business Director

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

https://www.leeforjc.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I was born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by a hard-working mom who understood the value of education. My mom worked long hours to ensure my sister, and I had every opportunity. You see, my dad died when I was three, and mom was able to support us because she had her education as a Registered Nurse to fall back on. Her job, along with hard work, scholarships, and lots of prayers, ensured our family's success.

I went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with a minor in Political Science from the University of Arkansas. I finished my Master's Degree in Political Communications while studying abroad at the University of Oxford. I work for a pharmaceutical company, and I am a single mom to a beautiful daughter.

As a leader in my community, I have always encouraged people to run because if you want to see better, you need to be a part of the change. My decision to run was shaped in part by her desire to foster more inclusivity among Johns Creek communities to ensure education, public safety, parks, infrastructure, and transparent and efficient governance remain a priority within her community.

I've always been an activist, and that's why I'm running for City Council. Change begins at the local level, and with my experience in leadership along with my passion for ensuring my community is inclusive and equitable, this is an Office where I can be a voice for those who aren't represented.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Building a City Center with the Legacy Arts venue will be one of my top priorities when elected because it will promote the arts and the array of cultures that make our city great. It will also serve as a space for Johns Creek citizens to have community gatherings, and it will generate revenue and jobs. Moreover, there is an abundance of community support for the City Center; we just have to build it. We must continue to contribute to the vibrancy of our community through projects like this one that fosters cultural understanding and community-building. I envision this center preserving Johns Creek for a long time to come and when elected, I intend to work diligently with my colleagues and city partners to finally make our City Center a reality.

What are your short- and long-term goals if you are elected?

Over the last several years, our city has been devastated by stormwater damage mainly due to the lack of infrastructure revitalization and maintenance. I'll fight to bring much-needed stormwater management tools to Johns Creek to help protect our natural resources and citizens. To accomplish this, we need to get back to spending taxpayer dollars wisely on infrastructure improvements that will benefit everyone.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I see the greatness our City has to offer so many of its residents. As your City Council Member, my main goal will be to ensure it stays that way regardless of party or cultural affiliations. I want to serve everyone in Johns Creek and not just appeal to a select few to garner more votes. An individual's right to choose who they vote for is a sacred pillar of our Democracy, and I have been working diligently to earn every vote cast for me. Johns Creek is my home -- it has given me so much despite not living here as long as my opponent. Ultimately, this is the type of experience I hope to help continually foster for anyone who chooses to live in Johns Creek, that instant feeling of being right at home regardless of years spent living here.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

N/A

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Overall, our local officials' response to the pandemic was adequate. We quickly transitioned our students to remote learning, facilitated testing and vaccination sites, and worked together as a community during an unprecedented moment in time.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Equity and transparency in my community are everything to me. When elected, I will host monthly forums where members of minority communities can come to voice their concerns, opinions, and grievances in a collaborative, safe space. Moreover, I want to form accountability committees of appointed officials that represent Johns Creek's varying minority groups to hold elected officials and public safety agents accountable.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Throughout my professional healthcare career, I have held executive positions where I managed large groups of people and led the implementation of large-scale projects across diverse workstreams. I am a leader who will seek solutions that are equitable and effective.

What do you like best about living in your city (or county)?

Johns Creek is one of the best cities to raise a family and as a mom, that's invaluable!

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Never give up, especially when there's no light to guide you. Keep doing the hard work and the light will find you.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Above all else, I will work hard for you and this community we all call our home. I will collaborate effectively with my colleagues on the Council to ensure at every step, we are serving the residents of Johns Creek through community building, economic revitalization, supporting law enforcement to keep our families safe, and keeping our taxes low.