Johns Creek Mayor John Bradberry and challenger Kelly Stewart sparred over leadership priorities during a heated mayoral debate, trading sharp exchanges on the Performing Arts Center Bond Referendum, the city budget and public safety.
Priorities
John Bradberry praised Johns Creek’s public safety, emphasizing that Johns Creek is the safest city in the US and that half of the city’s budget goes towards public safety every year. Among things to improve, he said that “we’ve done a great deal to improve our road network, but we have more still to do.” He also plans to be “constantly improving the community parks,” since they are vital to the community’s quality of life.
Stewart sniped at him, accusing Bradberry of “changing his tune”. She read off the list of priorities from the Johns Creek government website and that the order of priorities did not match what Mayor Bradberry said. Bradberry refuted her claims by saying the priorities on the website are not listed in any particular order.
She promises to return leadership, a trait that she says is “seriously missing.” Stewart said her priorities are “public safety first, our infrastructure second – with transportation and with storm water – and parks third.”
City Budget
When asked about the 9% increase of sales tax revenue, Stewart responded with “The revenues have been manipulated. The expenses have been decreased for the sake of the performing arts center.” She questioned Bradberry’s choices with the budget, saying “It is inflated for the purpose of the performing arts center. Not only have the revenues been manipulated, but the expenses have been cut. Our critical services are not fully funded.”
Bradberry defended the budget, dismissing Stewart by saying that “it is a sleight of hand trying to make it sound like we are raising the local option sales tax.” He says the increase Stewart is claiming is only “the estimation of what is projected to come into the city.” He explained that “we have been experiencing large surpluses every year,” and that he is trying to give back those surpluses to the community. Bradberry said that “over half of the 87 million dollar budget goes to public safety. Now, we currently have more police officers than we’ve ever had.”
Two Choices
In closing statements, Bradberry and Stewart gave differing paths for the future.
In her closing remarks, Stewart attacked Bradberry’s previous term. She argued that the city’s growth under the current leadership has resulted in “higher density, higher taxes, and higher city staff turnover.” Stewart’s vision focuses on putting taxpayers and public safety first, restoring the city’s quality of life, and uniting Johns Creek. “I want to get John’s Creek back on track,” she said.
Bradberry celebrated his administration’s accomplishments, saying that “we’ve had a great run these past four years.” He reminded the audience that “the city is not perfect, but I think it is very, very good. We have the opportunity in this election to decide what kind of city and what kind of community we want to be.”
Early voting is open now, continuing until October 31st. For more information about early voting locations, go here.
Election Day is November 4th.
To learn more about the Performing Arts Center Bond Referendum, click here.
