Lively Mayoral Forum Convenes for Sandy Springs

Some called it a forum, others labeled it a debate, but on Sept. 14 at Elevate Church, four Sandy Springs mayoral candidates had a lot to “hash out” in front of 234 North Sandy Springs residents primarily from the Grogan’s Bluff subdivision.

Resident Gary Alexander served as the forum moderator. Current Mayor Rusty Paul took some heat as the challenging candidates Andy Bauman, Jody Reichel, and Dontaye Carter made points of diminishing what Paul had accomplished over his three terms, and that Sandy Springs was ripe for change. With his calming presence, Paul explained that he had the contacts, depth, and patience to accomplish goals with a steady hand.

Alexander began by cautioning candidates that they were in a House of G-d and to “watch your language.” He introduced the six districts in Sandy Springs, followed by each candidate’s opening statement.

Carter: His grandmother was a domestic in the area. His biggest concern is that “diversity” be given a seat at the table, property tax is too high, and although he believes in funding the police, each branch has limitations, and there needs to be more social services like safe places for children before police intervention. His wife, an obstetrician, has delivered close to 2,000 babies at Northside Hospital.

Bauman: Attends synagogue and walks his dog in Sandy Springs, is an attorney, has served on the City Council with experience in real estate. He felt that since the city is turning 21, it’s at an inflection point; and said Paul is more concerned about “taking credit,” and is not a mayor “for everyone. You deserve better.” Bauman’s wife is also a physician.

Paul: After the quality and safety of neighborhoods, nothing else matters for Paul. Too many rental apartments line Roswell Road and were built decades ago. He wants to create a Tax Allocation District to put money into parks and infrastructure. He successfully got water rates lowered.

Reichel: Started by saying she will be a full-, not part-time, mayor. She told of her success in getting funding for North Springs High School, and that she has hired an attorney for the formation of a Sandy Springs School District which “could save millions of dollars.” Comments came throughout the night about whether this requires a Constitutional change. She stated that good schools attract families, and she will not accept “impossible.” She wants more retail and dining on the North End.

Alexander then posed a more specific topic of how to improve the North End. Carter went back to lacking diversity and introduced two Black residents in the audience. Bauman swiped at Paul for letting the City Center “suck the life out of the rest of Sandy Springs.”

Paul, who wants more apartments converted to condos, reminded the audience that it’s easy to have pipe dreams; but interest rates hurt some projects. He also felt that parent-led charter schools were a quicker way to uplift more quality schools. Reichel accused Paul of blocking influencers from talking to her. She wants private-public partnerships to redevelop more mixed use, river trails, and “hundreds of empty housing units.”

Other swipes at Paul: Bauman said he was in seventh grade when Paul started in politics. Reichel said the studies conducted out of Pennsylvania about Sandy Springs being such a fine place to live were “fake.” She stated that Woodstock and Alpharetta were greater communities. Carter stated that Paul was shown to be vulnerable in the last election, which is why there are so many candidates now.

Grogan’s Bluff co-president Steve Feldman reignited the education issue by complaining about the quality of a neighborhood public school, Ison Springs Elementary, forcing homeowners to factor private school tuition into home ownership. Reichel heralded back to getting a smaller school district. “We have 8,800 students in 10 schools. And forming a charter school is a heavy lift for parents. A lot goes into raising money and resources.”

Alexander concluded, “I was extremely encouraged by the standing room only attendance and the lively debates among the candidates. Many people in the north end of Sandy Springs didn’t know much about Andy Bauman, Jody Reichel or Dontaye Carter. Now, they do!”