2021 Georgia Local Elections

2021 Local Elections Runoff

City of Sandy Springs

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Reporter Newspapers

Jody has a bachelor's degree in business from University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She was president of North Springs High School Parent Teacher Organization and vice president of the Davis Academy Parent Teacher Organization.

Jody Reichel is currently a member of Sandy Springs city council, representing District 4. She was first elected in 2017 and has served on term.

Supports updating the master city center plan "to provide additional green space, the addition of owner-occupied residences, especially for seniors, and the addition of restaurants, boutiques, and other commercial opportunities that benefit our tax base."

Supports more investment in the North End with road improvements, parks and other recreational areas.

- Supports updating the master city center plan "to provide additional green space, the addition of owner-occupied residences, especially for seniors, and the addition of restaurants, boutiques, and other commercial opportunities that benefit our tax base." 
- Supports more investment in the North End with road improvements, parks and other recreational areas.

Public Services

Atlanta Journal Constitution

As a city council member, she supported lifting pandemic safety restrictions for two outdoor concert series in April 2021.

- As a city council member, she supported lifting pandemic safety restrictions for two outdoor concert series in April 2021.

COVID

Said, "Sandy Springs has built a substantial reserve fund that can sustain unlikely scenarios such as unanticipated city expenses or a temporary depletion in our tax base."

- Said, "Sandy Springs has built a substantial reserve fund that can sustain unlikely scenarios such as unanticipated city expenses or a temporary depletion in our tax base."

City Budget

Believes that the city "should remain a diverse community with an existing mix of housing options, including affordable units for both rental and ownership."

Wants to build back affordable housing units into the redevelopment plan as part of a housing mix that includes market rate and workforce housing if there is displacement in the North End.

- Believes that the city "should remain a diverse community with an existing mix of housing options, including affordable units for both rental and ownership." 
- Wants to build back affordable housing units into the redevelopment plan as part of a housing mix that includes market rate and workforce housing if there is displacement in the North End.

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to "continue to support our police."

- Plans to "continue to support our police."

Public Safety

Northside Neighbor

Said, "I will continue to preserve and protect our neighborhoods from unwanted, unnecessary high-density developments."

As a city council member, she voted against rezoning the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Perimeter Center from a hotel to apartments.

- Said, "I will continue to preserve and protect our neighborhoods from unwanted, unnecessary high-density developments." 
- As a city council member, she voted against rezoning the Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Atlanta Perimeter Center from a hotel to apartments.

Zoning

Jody Reichel

Michelle was born and raised in Atlanta. She is married and lives in Sandy Springs with her husband.

Michelle has owned a business and worked as a consultant in early childhood education.

Michelle Sullivan's campaign for city council is her first entry into politics.

Believes in economic growth, livable wages and a community recreational center.

Wants to see Sandy Springs grow to be an inclusive city that acknowledges and respects all cultures, nationalities and religions.

- Believes in economic growth, livable wages and a community recreational center.
- Wants to see Sandy Springs grow to be an inclusive city that acknowledges and respects all cultures, nationalities and religions.

Wants to educate citizens on COVID-19 resources and encourage them to follow CDC guidelines and safety practices in public.

- Wants to educate citizens on COVID-19 resources and encourage them to follow CDC guidelines and safety practices in public.

Plans to "analyze the budget to determine where funds can be re-allocated to areas of need."

- Plans to "analyze the budget to determine where funds can be re-allocated to areas of need."

Wants to come up with a plan for affordable housing "that create\[s\] a balance between being sustainable and affordable ... without sacrificing the integrity of the existing neighborhood."

- Wants to come up with a plan for affordable housing "that create\[s\] a balance between being sustainable and affordable ... without sacrificing the integrity of the existing neighborhood."

Wants to establish and implement de-escalation procedures for local police departments.

- Wants to establish and implement de-escalation procedures for local police departments.

Prioritizes finding solutions for traffic control and water infrastructure.

- Prioritizes finding solutions for traffic control and water infrastructure.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Said, "\[r\]e-zoning in Sandy Springs should not be considered if it sacrifices the value of the neighborhood to the stakeholders."

- Said, "\[r\]e-zoning in Sandy Springs should not be considered if it sacrifices the value of the neighborhood to the stakeholders."

Michelle Sullivan

Facebook

Tochie is from Spartanburg, South Carolina. She studied legal reference at Valdosta State University and has a bachelor's degree in journalism from University of Georgia. She was a member of the Tree Advisory Committee and the Fulton County Citizens Commission on the Environment. She has lived in Sandy Springs since 1995, and she has two daughters.

Tochie is an information specialist. She previously worked as a research librarian.

Tochie Blad previously ran for Sandy Springs city council District 4 in 2013 but was unsuccessful.

As of August 23, 2021, Tochie Blad’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Reporter Newspaper

During her previously campaign for city council, she ran to "stop intrusive zoning," and she wanted to "protect neighborhoods from unwanted density caused by redevelopment."

- During her previously campaign for city council, she ran to "stop intrusive zoning," and she wanted to "protect neighborhoods from unwanted density caused by redevelopment."

Tochie Blad

Vernon was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has a bachelor's degree in political science with a concentration in jurisprudence from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has lived in Sandy Springs for more than 20 years. He is married with four adult children and two grandchildren.

Vernon worked as corporate director of procurement for FedEx, Nutrien and Verifone.

Vernon Graham's campaign for city council is his first entry into politics.

Wants to make the North End "a cultural destination with attractions people want to visit such as art galleries, outdoor markets or festivals."

Plans to "\[a\]ggressively invite diverse groups to be on the city council, sit on commissions and participate in community activities so others can see themselves equally in those roles."

- Wants to make the North End "a cultural destination with attractions people want to visit such as art galleries, outdoor markets or festivals." 
- Plans to "\[a\]ggressively invite diverse groups to be on the city council, sit on commissions and participate in community activities so others can see themselves equally in those roles."

As of August 20, 2021, Vernon Graham did not have a website or any information online.

Promises not to raise taxes or cut city services.

Wants to create revenue by having the city be a desirable place for people to visit and spend money.

- Promises not to raise taxes or cut city services. 
- Wants to create revenue by having the city be a desirable place for people to visit and spend money.

Supports affordable housing development so that police officers, firefighters and teachers can afford to live in the city where they work.

Wants to establish a housing plan that also includes non-residents who work in Sandy Springs but can't afford to live there and ties in existing federal housing subsidies.

Supports repealing the steel building ordinance for the whole city to make building more cost effective for developers.

- Supports affordable housing development so that police officers, firefighters and teachers can afford to live in the city where they work.
- Wants to establish a housing plan that also includes non-residents who work in Sandy Springs but can't afford to live there and ties in existing federal housing subsidies. 
- Supports repealing the steel building ordinance for the whole city to make building more cost effective for developers.

Supports environmentally friendly transportation options, like increasing walkability.

Wants to improve infrastructure, including fixing potholes, updating signage and adding street lights to sidewalks.

- Supports environmentally friendly transportation options, like increasing walkability.
- Wants to improve infrastructure, including fixing potholes, updating signage and adding street lights to sidewalks.

Wants a universal plan to address zoning for businesses and housing cohabitation as density increases in the city.

- Wants a universal plan to address zoning for businesses and housing cohabitation as density increases in the city.

Vernon Graham

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 

Passes laws and regulations for your city.

Sandy Springs City Council Member, District 4

Election results

Candidates (4)

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