Candidate Profile: John N. Paulson For Sandy Springs City Council

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Seventeen city council candidates are running for seven seats in Sandy Springs' Nov. 2 municipal election.

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

John N. Paulson is running for Sandy Springs City Council, District 1.

Age (as of Election Day)

72

Position Sought

sandy springs city council district 1 re-election

Party Affiliation

This is a Nonpartisan election

Family

Married with two children and 4 grandchildren

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

just me

Education

MS Engineering and Material Science

Occupation

Registered Professional engineer for over 40 years

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

currently a sitting Sandy Springs city councilman district 1

Campaign website

www.friendsofjohnpaulson.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I want to continue the work I and the city have been doing to improve Sandy Springs as we move forward

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

continue to improve communication with and response to the citizens of Sandy Springs

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

continue improve the cities response to the community needs and requests, and make sure we continue to be a responsive and responsible city government

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

Experience counts! I bring that my experience of being on the council, and also bring my engineering- problem solving skills to the community

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

The corona virus had a great impact on our city (and the Nation). I believe our city navigated the complex conditions brought on by the corona virus acceptably under these trying circumstances.
I am extremely proud of our first responders in Sandy Springs in how they assisted Fulton county in the early stages of this virus with assistance with testing early on, then with vaccine inoculation efforts this spring

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I believe in and try to provide the best solution to the issue at hand, whatever it may be. I approach every problem logically and try to be rational in my solution seeking and recommendations. Lets make Sandy Springs an even better city going forward.

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

There are many. Saved the city money on several public works project improvements solutions in many ways. I was also instrumental in working with the GADOT to bring the proposed GA400 managed lanes concept plan under the Northridge road bridge, not the flyover originally contemplated.

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

Sandy Springs fought for 30 years to become a city, and I enjoy the benefits of that community effort and focus, and try to employ that spirit in my job as city councilman

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Seek to understand before you wish to be understood

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

I have a service mentality which I display both within the city, with my church where I lead a volunteer team in the parking lot, the veteran community where I work as an american legion post service officer, and in my work with young people. I believe that to those to whom much is given, much is expected..