DeKalb County CEO Debate - June 26, 2008

Rusty Tanton co-founder of the Georgia Podcast Network took the time to record the June 26th DeKalb County CEO Debate and was good enough to share his work with us by uploading the video to You Tube. Although the debate is not specific to Dunwoody, the outcome is something that will affect all Dunwoody residents whether or not we become a city. Stan Watson did not participate in the debate.

Thanks Rusty.

Opening statements:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=7lC3UevArqk



Question 1

"Police Chief Terrell Bolton has put forth a road map for success plan for the DeKalb County Police Department, which does have a $100 million price tag if implemented. Do you support the plan, and if so how do you intend to pay for it?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=h-Y9u4vVVUk



Question 2

"As CEO, leading by example, how do you intend to improve relations between the county government and the DeKalb County school board? If elected, what plans will you put forth which are not just lip service, but action?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kAkNuaDkpYg



Question 3

"In terms of water resource planning and conservation, what plans do you have as CEO?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=FIc_Kt1GlpY



Question 4

"DeKalb County taxpayers are extremely concerned regarding how our tax dollars are allocated and spent. Why should the taxpayers trust you to handle this multi-billion dollar responsibility? How will you ensure accountability? And what experiences do you have in the area of financial management to rise to this role?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rx4WfdtdSNM



Question 5

"What as CEO will you do to improve overall service delivery so that the kind of frustration felt by the residents and citizens of Dunwoody does not lead other unincorporated municipalities in the county to secede from the county?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3A0Vs6hUfkc



Question 6

"As Commissioner Ellis pointed out, DeKalb County has a $3 billion budget. There are numerous programs that are not entirely fully funded. As Joe Bembry mentioned, we have 800 vacancies in the police department. In light of the fact that there is a property tax freeze on homestead exemption on a number of homes, seniors have their property assessments frozen, are you willing to call for or support a tax hike while you are CEO?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=mqgD3Tho7BQ



Question 7

"Two independent audits in the county's finance department have concluded millions of dollars were spent on technology consultants from 2004 to 2008, circumventing county law. Do you support the DeKalb County district attorney convening a special grand jury to look into this matter or not, and why?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=GIvyH8O7iss



Question 8

"Unemployment insurance claims are up 25 percent in DeKalb County over the past year. During the month of May, 3,000 people filed their first-time claims for unemployment. As CEO of DeKalb County, how will you promote the creation of jobs and economic development in our county?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=oUqtEgc8NdM



Question 9

"As CEO, how will you better inform citizens in the event of an emergencies or crises such as the recent water main break or the tornado which touched down along DeKalb Avenue and the alarms did not go off?"

http://youtube.com/watch?v=0Azxj6iC7Z0



Closing statements

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGvZHORRvSQ