Cumming Elections Guide 2019: Candidates Talk City Problems

CUMMING, GA — Georgians will take to the polls next Tuesday to vote in local elections, including in Cumming.

The Cumming City Council election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 5. The election is for the council seats of Post 3, Post 4, and Post 5.

Patch has invited each candidate in contested races to participate in our election profile series. We will continue to update this story with links to responses to our questionnaire.

Part one of the candidate questionnaire dives into who the candidates are, why they want to run and what their long and short term goals are.

• See more: Cumming Elections Guide 2019: Candidates Looking Toward Future

*The incumbents are not included in this profile.

Part two showcases what candidates say is the biggest issue that the city faces, how they want to combat that and why people should vote for them.

Who's Running?

Post 3

Joey Cochran electjoey.com

Brent Patrick 404-421-1623 brent@bphomesinc.com

Jason May www.ElectJasonMay.com

Post 4

Christopher Light (incumbent)

Post 5

Linda Ledbetter (incumbent)

Question 4: What is the biggest issue you think citizens in Cumming face?

Joey Cochran: Traffic

Brent Patrick: The biggest issue is growth - for sure.

Jason May: Growth that does not coincide with traffic and infrastructure demands.

Question 5: How do you plan to combat that issue?

Joey Cochran: Work with state and local leaders to improve on existing roads and intersections. Introduce smart traffic lights to create better traffic flow

Brent Patrick: You don't combat growth. You grow wisely. You implement measures that ensure proper infrastructure and roads are being dealt with ahead of time. You stay vigilant in communicating with the people the difference between city growth and county growth. You educate your citizens on how to impact either or both.

Jason May: Growth is a sensitive and somewhat complicated issue. Our governing officials have to be careful to respect the individual property rights while ensuring quality development. I like to view issues from a multi leveled perspective, by putting in place metrics to measure the impact of a new development and how they might change our quality of life, traffic patterns, schools and many other services. I believe that our elected officials must be careful to not lose sight of the big long term picture to achieve the vision we have set for our community.

Question 6: Why should people vote for you?

Joey Cochran: I’m honest, hardworking, dedicated and love the City of Cumming. I will listen to the needs of the residents and implement solutions to address their concerns.

Brent Patrick: I feel I represent the council seat better than anyone else. I have been part of several businesses over the last 30 years, as well as, having my own business. I have been involved in reviewing hundreds of plans and creating budgets and then making sure those plans and budgets were implemented and the budgets weren't blown. I was part of saving the city over a quarter of a million dollars with the building of the ticket Booth and I haven't been elected yet. When I am elected I will continue to save this city its hard-earned dollars. And I love to speak to city folk and have them know that I hear them and will do my best to bring "their voice" to the table when decisions are being made.

Jason May: I’d like people to vote for me because I am the most qualified person for the position. My background in civil design and land planning encompasses fiscal budgetary process, traffic flow and control, zoning and property rights. I have over 20 years experience in this field and have worked long and hard to cultivate extensive relationships with city, county, state and federal officials that will be essential in driving true and reasonable solutions to the issues we face as a growing municipality.