Candidate Profile: Tochie Blad 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.

Tochie Blad is running for Sandy Springs City Council, District 4.

Age (as of Election Day)

57

Position Sought

District 4 city Council

Party Affiliation

Non partisan race

Family

Raised two adult daughters in Sandy Springs Public Schools and married to Robert Blad.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

NO

Education

Master of Library and Information Science, Valdosta State, Bachelors of Arts in Journalism University of Georgia

Occupation

Staff, Blad and Associates 3 years, Marketing Professional 10 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Vice Chair Sandy Springs Charter Review Commission Appointed 2020/2021

Campaign website

TochieforSandySprings.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have a strong commitment to community service and belief in servant leadership. With a track record of doing my research and gathering facts from many sources before making tough decisions. I am here to listen to your needs, provide solutions and an avenue for you to have a voice on Sandy Springs City Council.

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

Accountability - Every citizen has a right to know how every tax dollar is being spent. I support an online Open checkbook system for Sandy Springs that will make it easy to see how the city is spending our money. Citizens needs to be heard and requiring public meetings before big decisions is part of the accountability plan.

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

The Open Checkbook will be a short term goal and ensuring our city government lives within its means while providing the same level of service from our infrastructure to supporting our first responders and police.

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

I know the community from my service on community boards and having raise a family here. Sandy Springs is my home for 27 years. As a graduate of Leadership Sandy Springs, board member of Sandy Springs Council of Neighborhoods and Sandy Springs Charter Review Commission, I know the issues and will reach out to many stakeholders before making tough decisions.

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

It is time for new leadership in this council seat. Our city needs a council person that is prepared and advocates for its citizens from keeping neighborhoods safe to stopping back door taxes. The incumbent, she called for the resolution for the increase, 4% this year. I was on the Charter Review Commission, the council can and should lower the millage rate.

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

We need to step up our coronavirus fighting efforts. We can monitor community transmission and use the tools we have available like wearing masks and encouraging vaccines to keep our citizens and city employees safe and healthy. The City of Sandy Springs cares deeply about the health of its employees, and council needs to to ensure a healthy and safe environment at City facilities.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

We don't want to risk what makes Sandy Springs special and if we do not limit and control spending our city will not be able to thrive. When property values increase, we need to lower the millage rate to make any increase revenue neutral.

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

Alongside Mayor Eva Galambos, I advocated for cityhood for Sandy Springs and still believe in the principles of collaboration, small government and low taxes which our city was founded. Mayor Galambos appointed me to serve on the city's first-ever Tree Commission where I was instrumental in brining people with differing points of view together to ensure our tress are protected. I was selected to serve on the Sandy Springs Charter Review Commission where I advocated for more term limits for local elected officials. With a master's degree in Library and Information Science, I have a track record of doing my research and gathering my facts from many sources before making tough choices.

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

I enjoy the community of people in Sandy Springs and its many offerings. We are a central hub of the Metro Atlanta area and I want to continue to see our city thrive in the future.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen more than you speak. You were given two ears and one mouth for a reason.

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

I am here to listen to your needs, provide solutions and give your a voice on our City Council.

Other Sandy Springs City Council District 4 candidates:

• Candidate Profile: Jody Reichel For Sandy Springs City Council
• Candidate Profile: Vernon Graham For Sandy Springs City Council