Following on the Q&A responses from City Council Candidates Carey Sue Beasley and Beth Pence, I am submitting my answers to the questions posed to candidates 12 days before the October 22 POA Candidate Forum, 3pm -5pm at the Sky Valley Chapel.
Why do you want to be on City Council?
I want to be mayor because I love Sky Valley and I believe my expertise and network can be of benefit to our community. I moved here to enjoy the serenity, the beauty, the safety. I want to include our residents and property owners in the decisions affecting Sky Valley’s future. I want to “preserve Sky Valley’s Heart and Future,” and I want to champion responsive leadership, open meetings, honest communications, and government transparency and respect for taxpayer dollars.
What are your qualifications and experience in a leadership role?
I’ve spent decades as an opinion leader, thought leader, and public policy analyst. My career as a journalist, including on the Editorial Board of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, followed by my career as vice president at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation, the state’s premier think tank, have helped me examine issues from all angles: from the perspective of an affected Georgia taxpayer and an elected official. I know how to ask tough questions, find common ground, and offer solutions. That’s why the Georgia Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax asked me to help write its enabling legislation for the 2026 legislative session. Additionally, I serve as chairman of the Rabun County GOP.
How long have you lived in Sky Valley and how have you been involved in Sky Valley community activities?
We bought our home in 2018 and began living here full-time during COVID, then sold our home in Cobb County in 2022 to make Sky Valley our permanent home.
I’m a member of the Sky Valley Country Club, the Garden Club and the Property Owners Association. My husband, Scott, is a member of the Golf Club. I’ve participated in the Hay Bale Trail, the Garden Club activities, fall street corner decorating, Fourth of July events and volunteer gardening in the city as part of the Master Gardener program. I created the Sweet on Sky Valley Facebook page and group in 2018 to add to community engagement; today it’s the city’s second-largest Facebook page and promotes community activities, marketing and questions. I hosted the Rabun County Commission candidate for a Meet-and-Greet, and our state representative to the City for a legislative update. I organized two Meet-and-Greets to introduce myself and the municipal candidates to Sky Valley voters, residents and property owners ahead of Advance Voting, because I believed voters needed to learn about who was running.
What is your position on installing a sewer system to replace current septic systems in the valley?
This question is overly broad. A sewer system can’t replace current septic systems in the valley. As for a sewer system for SOME septic systems – a number that seems to fluctuate with each iteration – I want to know who, where, what and why first. I am not in favor of imposing an unnecessary, perpetual burden on residents and property owners. In short: I support a needs assessment, not just an economic feasibility study. I expect private property owners to provide evidence that they have made every effort to resolve their own septic challenges.
What is your position on the town center development plan proposed by the Merrill Trust?
I don’t believe our infrastructure can support the density proposed by Merrill Trust. I am not opposed to development – I am a huge supporter of private property rights – but I am opposed to the “master plan” presented to residents at the POA meeting in June. I believe Merrill Trust has every right to develop its property as it wishes and the zoning allows. I believe the City’s influence rests in whether it facilitates that high-density development.
Are you in favor of initiating condemnation proceedings on the old ski lodge? Why or why not?
I am in favor of initiating condemnation proceedings, because restoring the building is prohibitively costly. I also believe there is a way to salvage certain historically significant components of the building to incorporate and repurpose into a new building. The old ski lodge has sentimental value to many Georgians, and I believe there is enough support in the community to explore this possibility.
What is your position on the proposed hotel on Tahoe Lane?
Again, I am not opposed to development. I am not opposed to private property rights. If a hotel is proposed, and the developer can work with existing zoning ordinances, that’s fine. Again, the City’s influence rests in whether it facilitates or allows the facility. On October 3, the Mayor mentioned a “charrette” at home of hotel architect and developer Roney Mateu. My Open Records request for details about that meeting was returned with a response of “no relevant information.” Which is why I have filed an Open Meetings complaint with the Attorney General’s office: Residents deserve to know what was discussed, and the outcome of those discussions.
Curiously, the City has promoted much about its Clubhouse District (in the Rabun County Joint Comprehensive Plan, pg 54). It said:
- Structures should evoke the community’s rural, mountain character. Use of wood and stone is preferred as well as sharply pitched roofs. … Rural/Mountain themed design elements preferred: Pitched roofs, Wood or stone siding, Front porches.
The proposed design is nothing like that.
There are questions about staffing – 30 jobs cited in the Letter of Intent in the ARC grant application.
The development appears to be for sale on the national market already, listed with an anticipated 200 townhomes, a town center, and a sewer system. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/429-Tahoe-ln-Sky-Valley-GA/37636832/
What is your plan to prevent water pipe breakage and eliminate the need for boil water advisories?
The boil-water advisories appear to have been sharply reduced, and City workers are to be commended for this focus. I would continue in the same vein, along with a public education component as has been done in the past, and work with the City Council to ensure the City investigates government assistance (grants and incentives) to make this our priority. Obviously, the questions raised by EMI regarding the Water Fund must be tackled.
What ideas will you pursue to increase revenues or decrease costs for the City’s budget?
The City’s role should be to operate efficiently, cost-effectively and without redundancies. I am an advocate of zero-based budgeting. I would support a full analysis of the budget, the City’s contracts and obligations. I believe the role of the City is to serve its residents, protect its taxpayers and maintain its infrastructure, not to increase revenues. To achieve this, I hope to engage a Community Advisory Board, recruited from the residents and property owners I met as I canvassed the City during my campaign. I am proud and honored to have met so many experts willing to volunteer their time! I also plan to open the Checkbook online so residents are fully aware of where and how their tax dollars are being used.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I am not a micromanager. I appreciate brevity and promote collaboration. I have high expectations and support meritocracy and teamwork. I demand and deliver responsiveness; it’s why my contact information is on all my literature. I expect personal responsibility and I take responsibility. I have promised property owners who have no vote that they WILL have a voice in my administration. I come from a country where I had no voice or vote, and I do not deprive anyone of the ability to be heard and respected, as long as that respect is mutual. I look forward to an exchange of ideas.
Describe your vision of Sky Valley in 10 years.
My vision in 10 years is what I have promised Sky Valley’s part-time residents: When you return, I want you to come back to the peace and serenity for which you chose this community. I support low taxes, private property rights and a “do-no-harm” approach in our community. I want to see Sky Valley grow organically; our infrastructure and environment demand this. I want our community to be prepared for wherever our country, politics and nature will take us, with a public safety priority and an emergency plan that will see us through.
What is your interpretation of “transparency” in government?
Transparency in government inspires trust from citizens. Our voters, residents, citizens and taxpayers deserve to know we are being accountable and operating with integrity in all dealings – with individuals and with agencies. It means citizens should see we are being fiscally responsible – so we open the checkbook. It means using an official government email, not personal emails that obfuscate official actions and activities. It means holding work sessions and meetings close to home, with online access available, so that citizens have access. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, promoting responsible government actions and empowering the electorate.
I hope to earn your vote for Mayor of Sky Valley, during advance voting and on November 4. Feel free to call or text me with questions at 404-697-4419.