Candidate Profile: Donald‌ ‌Mitchell‌ For Alpharetta City Council

ALPHARETTA, GA — Eight city council candidates are running for three seats in Alpharetta's Nov. 2 municipal election.

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

Donald‌ ‌Mitchell‌ is running for Alpharetta City Council, Post 1.

Age (as of Election Day)

55

Position Sought

Alpharetta City Council Post 1

Party Affiliation

Family

I have a loving supportive family who wish to stay as far from politics as possible.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BSW University of GA, Business Administration, Brewton Parker College

Occupation

Business Owner

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

Mayor Pro Tem Alpharetta GA

Campaign website

Www.electdonaldmitchell.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

I have the experience, leadership and know how in creating the award winning city we all love. I want to continue the work I’ve started in protecting the vision and future of this great community. We’ve come too far to go back now!

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

Escalating property taxes is the biggest issue Alpharetta faces. That’s why I have removed income restrictions for seniors and passed two additional raises to the homestead exemption. Keeping more of your hard earned money is always the biggest issue facing my constituents. My primary goal is to provide safety, quality of life, combined with a low cost of living.

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

To continue to support our public safety, balanced budgets, AAA bond rating, tax cuts and building a community we are all proud to call home. I also want to continue putting our home owners first! We will also continue to work on envisioning our North Point District and our Economic Development for the entire city.

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

I am a Homeowner and I have actually paid property Taxes in Alpharetta for the last 20 years. I have the experience necessary to lead our City forward. I have an actual record of accomplishments which I am proud to stand on. My opponent, the Forsyth County Homeowner, says she loves Alpharetta, but was never here to protect our history or build our city into the family focused community we have today. We have an award winning city, in large part because of all the things I and others have championed. I also have my state accreditation as a fiduciary watching over the city’s finances. I am a fiscal conservative who has guarded our balanced budget for years and protected our citizens tax dollars with full transparency. I also have never had any conflicts of interest and I have never looked as my office as a profit stage for my business. For 10 years I have never perused business within our city. It’s a matter of integrity for me.

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

I feel good about our cites response to the corona virus. We protected the public safety of our citizens while respecting their personal liberties. We also were able to cut our spending and remain financially sound and secure.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I have support cutting taxes three times saving homeowners millions, I’ve voted to support 8 new parks as miles of trails. I have supported increased investment in our police and fire by 34%.

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

I have served as both the interim Mayor, and the Mayor Pro Tem for the last 4 1/2 years. I am the final individual on council who actually voted on and helped to shape our Downtown, Avalon, The Arts Center, Historic Preservation Initiatives, The Convention Center and the Alpharetta History Museum. I have also supported A Balanced Budget and protected our AAA Bond rating for years. I have always and will always be a huge supporter of our police and Fire professionals. I also supported, The Tech School, Tech Alpharetta and the Alpha Loop from its inception.

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

I love the community I have lived in for the past 20 years because I was actually here helping to start the Farmers Market, and initiatives to get our downtown going. I have actually been doing the heavy lifting to make it all happen. I am greatly rewarded when ever I see families and kids enjoying our cities parks, trails, fountains and overall quality of life. There is nothing like having the vision and foresight to dream big and see it all come to pass. It’s one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

“If you fail to plan you plan to fail” & Do your Best, what you plant now, you will harvest later!

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

I will always be a tireless advocate for our homeowners. I’d be honored to be given the opportunity to continue serving my community.

Related: Candidate Profile: Donna Shaw Murphy For Alpharetta City Council