Tucker groups host forum for DeKalb’s District 1 commissioner candidates

As early voting is scheduled to start in less than two weeks, Tucker Business Association and Tucker Civic Association hosted a virtual forum Oct. 1 for the two candidates competing for the DeKalb County District 1 seat. 

District 1 represents Tucker and other areas in north DeKalb, including Doraville and Dunwoody, and parts of Brookhaven and Chamblee.

Republican incumbent Nancy Jester and Democrat Robert Patrick responded to questions regarding fiscal priorities, infrastructure, CARES Act funding and public safety in less that two minutes each per topic.

Patrick, who was elected to the Democrat nomination from among three other candidates, said his top three fiscal priorities as commissioner would be maintaining a reserve budget; getting infrastructure updated; and expediting business licenses and permitting processes, which he said is a “critical way” to make sure revenues are going into the county’s reserve funds.

Jester, touting her experience as the county’s finance committee chair, said she will continue to conservatively budget the county’s funds if re-elected.

“We’ve done the hard work of accumulating over $100 million in reserves,” said Jester, adding that the county should closely monitor enterprise, sanitation and stormwater funds. She added she helped to get SPLOST passed, which helped to fund infrastructure obstacles.   

“I have a record of accomplishments in doing budgets and offering transparency to the citizens of District 1 in DeKalb,” she said. 

Although DeKalb County has received $125 million in CARES Act funding and business assistance, Jester admits she doesn’t think the county was as swift and efficient in deploying resources and funding, though she is proud to have sponsored a $15 million business grant program.

Patrick referenced the county’s decision—specifically the recommendation of Commissioner Jeff Rader—to initially withhold the city of Brookhaven’s share of the funds until the city discussed and settled an unrelated issue with the county.

“I believe that about 60 to 70 percent of the county’s tax base and about 40 to 50 percent of residents are in municipalities,” he said. “I’m not sure that that’s a wise idea during these times to be interjecting politics into urgent need…I would always put the priority of residents’ safety before putting politics in any decisions.”

While the county has allocated and spent CARES Act funds on several initiatives, Patrick suggested that he would have also used monies to issue COVID-19 testing kits to local businesses, especially restaurants.

Jester said the county’s infrastructure has improved since she’s taken office in 2014, but there’s still a long way to go. 

“It’s because of my leadership that the county acknowledged the [utility] billing problem. I had probably the largest attended town hall meeting about that,” she said. 

Jester also mentioned legislation she sponsored creating the Citizens Oversite Committee and that the county has more “aggressively” used its bond fund to fix certain infrastructure systems.

Patrick, a former Doraville council member of eight years, said the county’s infrastructure presents a problem for private developers and business owners, whom he alleges have been asked by the county to invest in sewage enhancements. He also added there needs to be improvements on the county’s license and permitting processes, as it has taken up to six months for some to get a business license, he said.

“I would work with the private developers and budgeting to come up with a plan for immediate areas where we have imminent activity that’s going to happen and encourage people to invest there,” he said.   

The full forum can be viewed online at https://youtu.be/JqjcdFwLQS4.

Early voting for Nov. 3 General Election will begin Oct. 12 at 11 locations throughout the county.