Candidate Profile: Branden Whitfield For Loganville City Council

LOGANVILLE — Seven city council candidates qualified for three at-large City Council seats in the Loganville Nov. 2 municipal election, which include incumbent Anne Huntsinger. Loganville Mayor Skip Baliles is running unopposed.

Branden Whitfield, Shenia Rivers-Divine, Rosa D. Steele, Terry Parsons, Melanie Long and James Wilson qualified as candidates for City Council. The three candidates who get the most votes will fill the at-large council seats.

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.

Branden Whitfield is running for City Council against incumbent Anne Huntsinger and Melanie Long, Shenia Rivers-Divine, Rosa D. Steele, Terry Parson, and James Wilson.

Age (as of Election Day)

33

Position Sought

City Council

Party Affiliation

IRRELEVANT, CITY ELECTIONS ARE NON-PARTISAN

Family

My wife Rebecca and I have a 3-year-old daughter and one on the way.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Bachelor of Administration in Business Management from Kennesaw State University

Occupation

10-year owner and operator of landscape business and real estate/property management business owner

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Vice Chairman of the Loganville Development Authority

Campaign website

www.whitfield4council.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

"Preserving the past...Building the future!" I am seeking office as a father to make Loganville a great place for my kids to grow up in, and be proud to call home when they are adults. I grew up here, and only want to see Loganville pay homage to its rich past, but also be successful as it grows into an exciting 21st century, for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

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

Growth is coming whether we want it to or not. As a city, we can MANAGE that growth, or we can let it happen sporadically with no controls. I want to make sure we have the plans and infrastructure in place to make sure we can control and plan for the future...instead of letting it happen TO us.

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

My short-term goals include having a retreat in Loganville with the elected officials and the local committees including the development authority to come up with a downtown plan using the studies the city has compiled the past few years along with the citizens survey on what they want to see downtown.

Long term goals include upgrading infrastructure including road re-pavement program, sidewalks in the downtown, protecting raises for first responders and city employees, upgrading our parks, and breaking ground on a downtown development that all of us in Loganville can be proud of that will last generations.

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

I don't quit when the going gets tough, and am in a uniquely qualified position to serve Loganville's residents because I already serve Loganville's residents. Through the Development Authority, I understand what is happening in and with downtown. Through the Loganville Legacy Lions Club, I serve the underserved of our community. With my businesses and connections, I have my ear to the ground of what both residents and businesses are looking for, and am able and capable to work WITH (instead of against) others to make positive change...to stand in the gap on behalf of the tax payers who call Loganville home. Long story short- I listen to residents, work with people and TOGETHER, we GET THINGS DONE!

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

Sub-par communication. I'll strive to make actions and ideas better transmitted to residents so there is less confusion about what is going on in the city, and will ALWAYS be accessible to ask questions and give answers...even the hard answers... if and when someone doesn't understand.

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

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Preserving the city’s heritage, while preparing for its bright future. I will fight for a viable downtown plan, a true live/work/play environment, make sure first responders have the resources they need to effectively protect and serve, make sure Loganville becomes more business friendly, and support improvement of our infrastructure, roadways, sidewalks, ideas on the roadways we do control to aid in helping ease the burden of traffic.

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

Successful business owner of 2 local companies. Current vice-chairman of the Loganville Development authority, Current vice-president of the Loganville Legacy Lions Club, Eagle Scout, and I’ve been apart of our community since birth and recently been helping with coordinating the 1st ever Loganville Battle of the Bands event downtown to bring in local artist while giving our citizens something to do along with aiding in bringing in more revenue to our local businesses. I also coordinated while being on the Loganville development authority the 1st ever business summit where we invited all city of Loganville business owners to come mingle, create connections, learn a little from guest speakers, and really to just show thanks for choosing to do business in the city limits of Loganville giving them a night of free food, drinks, swag bags, and fun.

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

The people. We have a great community and great events to hang out with everyone and I always enjoy talking with everyone in our community and meeting new people who come to the events.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"There's a reason you have two ears and one mouth... because you should listen twice as much as you talk." As a city leader, I plan to take that advice with me, and be able to digest information, weigh options, and come to group decisions that meet the most needs, wherever and whatever they may be!

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

Reach out anytime if you have questions or concerns. Anyone can reach me at branden4council@gmail.com or visit my website at www.whitfield4council.com. I love Loganville and will always be here to help our community any way possible.