With early voting already underway in the Nov. 3 special election to fill an unexpired city council term, Kristen Corley’s Norcross Social Club newsletter is sharing a Q&A with the two candidates.
An Oct. 6 debate was postponed and later canceled after one of the candidates’ family members had a medical emergency. Former Mayor Bucky Allen is running against former Council Member Jeff Allen.
Allen and Johnson are vying for one of the city’s four council seats, which opened after Council Member Marshall Cheek died of cancer this summer. The term has one year remaining.
Questions to candidates
Each candidate submitted a response to Corley’s questions, which readers submitted in advance. Allen submitted a series of self-recorded videos, and Johnson shared an audio clip.
Johnson was elected mayor in 2007 and served five terms before announcing he would not seek reelection in 2017. Allen, a 30-year resident, sat on the council from 2006-08.
Norcross Social Club questions:
1. Do you support or oppose the proposed housing developments on Holcomb Bridge Road and Buford Highway? Please explain your position on each and any changes you would require.
2. What would you prioritize to address downtown congestion and traffic on residential streets?
3. Would you change the city’s portion of property taxes to help homeowners afford to stay in Norcross?
4. How would residents’ concerns influence your vote on development proposals? What would you change to make city decisions more transparent and public input more meaningful?
5. What policy or priority sets you apart from your opponent? What specific progress would you work toward during this one-year term?
Allen’s responses
Allen’s platform calls for more homeownership options and fewer apartments, more transparent voting, shorter council discussions, and consideration of term limits. He opposes redevelopment that increases downtown density.
Johnson, who has criticized elected officials for approving the updated comprehensive plan, said he’s against adding rental units at Buford Highway and Holcomb Bridge Road and the proposed Canopy at Crooked Creek.
Johnson’s responses
Johnson’s platform prioritizes safety, measured growth, and working with the downtown development authority to make downtown vibrant. He opposes the Norcross Piedmont Pathway and citations from traffic cameras that are not actively flashing.
Johnson said he’s in favor of the Canopy at Crooked Creek proposal but needs more details before he fully supports the project. He said he is concerned about the proposed density along Buford Highway.
