Candidate Profile: Vernon Graham 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.

Vernon Graham is running for Sandy Springs City Council, District 4.

Age (as of Election Day)

61

Position Sought

Council Member District 4

Party Affiliation

Family

Wife, 4 adult children and 2 grandkids

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BA Political Science UCLA

Occupation

Head of Indirect Procurement 25+

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

Facebook.com/votevern

Why are you seeking elective office?

To help lead Sandy Spring over the next 4 years in returning to a city that others look up to, that shining example of how city government should be run while at the same time ensuring the needs of residents are heard and addressed timely and with transparency

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

Density. As we continue to grow (+17%) last 10 years we must develop a comprehensive plan to address the issue for both business and housing. We can not make more land so we have to ensure the plan incorporates green space, infrastructure enhancements and inclusion of all affected residents

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

Short term develop a plan specific to rising costs of housing. I spoke to over 1,200 apartment renters and 650 home owners that agree housing is affordable. The Average median home price is $545k and rents for 1-2 bedrooms are $1400 t0 $2400 a month which are unsustainable and when the bubble bursts will cause more issues than if we (developers, city officials and residents) develop a solution today. Long term invest in infrastructure with a certain of jobs coming from our residents that include pedestrian bridges across major intersections or large spans of road such as those at Roswell and Mount Vernon or Roswell and Abernathy Road

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

Firstly, being bi-racial allows me a unique perspective of needs for all diverse citizens of Sandy Springs, secondly my education with a BA in Political Science from the #1 Public University in the country UCLA and lastly as a 20 year residence raising a family while engaged in listening and learning what citizens what to see done with their tax dollars

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

District 4's current council member failed to lead on issues that mattered most to this district such as lower property taxes, lesser housing density and improved infrastructure

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

Firstly, we all know individuals who have passed from or have been gravely ill from this rampant virus and I sympathize with those families. Our Covid response was driven by CDC guidelines they recommended all eligible citizens not only take the vaccine as part of their personal choice but as a way to help others make a decision on their own safety. I would have spoken out earlier not waiting on State and Federal decisions.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Carbon Footprint, Affordable housing and Infrastructure.

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

25+ years leading large corporate organizations in reducing costs and increasing productivity, 14 years as a board member of Atlanta Transportation Club and Transportation Clubs International and my relationships with private citizens and businesses that foster true partnership

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

The diversity of people of which I am one, services and businesses which I am apart of and a vibrant school system which my kids grew up in.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

To truly give you must give something that is of value to you!

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

Know that Vern will show up for all city residents, not only large corporations seeking tax havens or developers seeking to carve out 1-2 acres projects but for all citizens that want a vibrant, diversified and safe city.

Other Sandy Springs City Council District 4 candidates:

• Candidate Profile: Jody Reichel For Sandy Springs City Council
• Candidate Profile: Tochie Blad For Sandy Springs City Council