Johns Creek Elections Guide 2019: Candidates Want City To Thrive

JOHNS CREEK, GA — The Johns Creek City Council election will take place Nov. 5. The election is for the council seats of Post 2, Post 4, and Post 6.

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 why the candidates want to run and what their long and short term goals are, and why they love the city. Check back next week for what they 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 2:

Brian Weaver weaverforjohnscreek.com

Dilip Tunki www.tunkiforjc.com

Royce Reinecke www.roycereinecke.com

*There is no incumbent for this seat as current Post 2 Council Member Jay Lin is not seeking reelection

Post 4:

Chris Coughlin (incumbent) votechriscoughlin.com

Adam Thomas www.thomasforjohnscreek.com

Kent Altom electkentaltom.com

Marybeth Cooper www.Cooperforthecreek.com

Post 6:

Erin Elwood www.erinforjohnscreek.com

Issure C. Yang Issureforjohnscreek.com

Judy LeFave https://www.judyforjohnscreek.com/

*There is no incumbent for this seat as current Post 6 Council Member Steve Broadbent is not seeking reelection

Question 1: Why did you want to run for city council?

Post 2 Candidates

Brian Weaver: After serving 37 years in law enforcement in the Johns Creek community, I am dedicated to expand my role of serving the community in another capacity which will allow me additional opportunities to utilize my experience.

Dilip Tunki: Being on city council would be a way for me to give back to the community that has supported and encouraged me and my family for the past 19 years. I want to do my part to keep Johns Creek great and explore opportunities to make it even better.

Royce Reinecke: I am running to improve the effectiveness of our city government focused on enhancing our schools, public safety, and home values. Our concerns about traffic, parks, arts, business, zoning, and storm water all have their roots in those top priorities.

Post 4 Candidates

Chris Coughlin (incumbent): I’ve made significant progress in my top priorities since being elected in April 2017. Despite some large successes, I’d like to continue what I started and make further strides in those areas that need improvements (e.g., implementing parks plan, applying smart traffic congestion relief strategies, improvements in financial management, improving levels of service while reducing tax burden on residents and businesses, and community development initiatives like stormwater infrastructure, smart growth, and sustainability) in our great city while continuing to have a data-first perspective when evaluating new or altered legislation.

Adam Thomas: Like many folks in Johns Creek, I'm very busy with my career, my family, and the charitable organizations I support. Politics was not something I had thought much about. Some time ago, I was sitting in traffic (like I usually do every day!) and started to wonder why it was so bad, and if there something we could do about it. So I started reading up on the issue, then started following the city council and local government. What I found was not something I liked. Lots of infighting and inaction on seemingly practical issues, like regulating vape shops and making sure Johns Creek police could keep teens from buying vaping products. I have an 11-year-old daughter, and that's not the kind of community I want her growing up in.

Kent Altom: In celebrating the founding of our city, we probably celebrated a little too long; in so doing, we abandoned our relationships with certain neighboring municipalities as well as certain county and state officials. Last spring, a friend of mine who works for a nearby city told me that when his colleagues there get “sideways with one another,” one of them will look at the other and say “at least we’re not Johns Creek.” This is not the sort of reputation I want for the city we love and have called home since 2005. My father told his three children, “Get up every morning asking yourself, “What can I do to serve others today?” And, my mother taught us, “If you want to make a difference you have to be willing to take the risk to put yourself out there.” It is my pride in Johns Creek, my commitment to serve its residents, and my desire to make a difference that led to my decision to qualify to be a candidate for Post 4

Marybeth Cooper: I’m running because I care about our city and its residents. I’m running because I do not believe our city is moving forward, as we should. I’m running because all citizens should be heard, not just those who “know” the right people or “speak” the loudest. I’m running because TSPLOST passed, whether you voted for it or against it. You can’t rewrite the vote; you can’t ignore the vote. The citizens of Johns Creek approved a Parks bond. Projects were put forth and citizens were assured these parks would be implemented. I believe it’s time to work on issues that were mandated by the voters of Johns Creek.

Post 6 Candidates

Erin Elwood: We need a voice on the city council that is forward-looking and can keep our awesome city competitive with the other north metro Atlanta cities during a period of rapid change. There is no one with that perspective on city council currently, and I worry that our city is stagnating as opportunities pass us by.

Issure C. Yang: Over three years ago, I started watching and attending city council meetings and speaking with residents and I realized that the residents are not always being represented. Johns Creek residents want a strong, independent leader to represent their views on council; Johns Creek residents want a master plan to enhance our quality of life; Johns Creek residents want and need fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Judy LeFave: I care deeply about Johns Creek and I have the experience and desire to make sure that Johns Creek and its residents continue to enjoy a beautiful and safe city to call home. I have always been passionate about giving back to my community and especially to the youth of our society. I believe in paying my civic rent and I take tremendous pride in my efforts on behalf of the citizens of Johns Creek.

Question 2: What are your short term and long term goals for the position?

Post 2 Candidates

Brian Weaver: My goals while serving in this position is to continue focusing on promoting a safe and secure community, school, and places of worship. In addition, I will work with the city council to develop a strategic plan to continue to attract small businesses that promote economic development and partnerships within the city.

Dilip Tunki: Short term goal would be to expediate the parks and transportation projects that are approved and in the pipeline. From long-term perspective, need to build a brand and identity for Johns Creek through arts and culture and community center. Create a business-friendly environment to bring in more jobs into Johns Creek and revive struggling shopping centers.

Royce Reinecke: My short term goal is to develop a 10-year financial plan to understand our revenues and our needed expenditures so we can prioritize our projects and have a multi-year plan for implementing them. Johns Creek is recognized as the best city to live in Georgia. My longer term goal is to increase community participation in our city activities to make it an even more vibrant city.

Post 4 Candidates

Chris Coughlin (incumbent): Implement the parks plan (including build out of our 190+ acre Cauley Creek Park and creating a greenway along the Chattahoochee from McGinnis Ferry to Abbotts Bridge), continue to apply smart traffic congestion relief strategies, make improvements in financial management through utility analyses (e.g., new procurement methods, truing up accruals, etc.), improve levels of service while reducing tax burden on residents and businesses like I have in the past, ensure smart zoning procedures to continue our low density residential community, implement ranked-choice voting for our municipal elections, and complete community development initiatives like stormwater infrastructure, smart growth plans like the Comp Plan of 2018, multi-modal policy, and sustainability measures.

Adam Thomas: Short term, I want to take immediate action on the road projects voters approved in 2016, which have been delayed by infighting and inaction. We've paid $37 million and counting in extra taxes to pay for these improvements, and its time we start to move. Long term, I want to make sure we grow responsibly. That means opposing high-density residential developments while bringing in quality businesses (NOT VAPE SHOPS!) that improve our tax base and relieve the burden from homeowners.

Kent Altom:

1. To change the temperament of our city council;
2. To create a compelling identity for our city, including a city center with an arts center;
3. To get moving on promised projects including parks and traffic congestion relief; and
4. To establish an entrepreneurial incubator to attached new business.

Marybeth Cooper: Our priorities need to be our $40 million dollars in TSPLOST funds and properly allocating the $40 million dollar Parks Bond. Short-term, get the gears moving, our council has been stagnating, infighting, and divisive. Long-term goals include bringing our wonderfully diverse community together to see how truly alike we are. Together, we can continue to be the exception.

Post 6 Candidates

Erin Elwood: In the short term, build the parks! We passed that referendum in 2016 and the city council has not been good stewards of those funds. I want the council to make some decisions and break ground on those projects. In the long term, I want to see our city figure out its identity and foment community. To this end, I want to see a city center built, which will incorporate greenspace, cultural arts, and commercial elements.

Issure C. Yang: I would like to help make effective changes in how we run Johns Creek. We need a vision: a master plan that includes, infrastructure, business, culture, and parks. I would like to make it easier to do business in Johns Creek. We have bright and resourceful residents; I want to ensure information is pushed out to them and make it easier for them to know what is going on with council and with their city. Let’s get better at communicating to the residents and ensuring they have all the information they need to help drive the conversation about the future of Johns Creek.

Judy LeFave: I am devoted to enforcing the standards set in the newly adopted Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) to ensure proper growth and development throughout the city and will be diligent in protecting the residential feel while executing the set guidelines for acceptable composition and density.

Question 3: What is your favorite part of living in Johns Creek?

Post 2 Candidates

Brian Weaver: My favorite part of living in Johns Creek are the citizens who are proud of the city and want to make sure it continues to be recognized as one of the safest cities to live. Also, we have the best schools that provide quality education to the students who enter them every day. Johns Creek Police is also recognized as one of the best in the country.

Dilip Tunki: Best schools and safe environment to raise family. No major highway goes through Johns Creek but accessibility to highway is good.

Royce Reinecke: My favorite things about Johns Creek are that it is a safe, educated community where people care about their homes and their schools. It is an environment that has not been paved over where people can escape the hubbub and stress of jobs and the intensity of Atlanta to recreate and refresh themselves by enjoying nature, parks, culture, and time with their families.

Post 4 Candidates

Chris Coughlin (incumbent): The safety, schools, greenspace, and diverse culture make Johns Creek an awesome place. It is hands down the best place to raise a family and that’s why we have and will continue to make Johns Creek our home.

Adam Thomas: My favorite part of living in Johns Creek is family friendly community that we stand for. Johns Creek has a quality of life environment that is welcoming to all, and the diverse community provides a multinational experience most get to only experience in large cities.

Kent Altom: The people. Many are like my wife and me—just trying to enjoy life and do right by their children.

Marybeth Cooper: Our citizens! We have some truly amazing people in our city. I always endeavor to meet one new neighbor each week. Our city is rich and diverse in culture, generations, and careers. We need to embrace these differences, because they only enrich us.

Post 6 Candidates

Erin Elwood: Probably how beautiful it is. This city is exceptional in many regards, but what sold the deal for us was the Chattahoochee River in our city's backyard, with the federal national recreation area and wildlife. This area is truly a treasure.

Issure C. Yang: I have lived in and around Johns Creek for almost 30 years. I have raised my two children here and my parents have retired here. I love the people of Johns Creek. We have a very active and engaged community that wants to see Johns Creek continue to grow and succeed.

Judy LeFave: My favorite part of living in Johns Creek is our diversity. We have so much potential to become a vibrant city.