Forum: City Candidates Talk TSPLOST, Development

When hosted by the North Fulton and Friends Tea Party on Monday, they faced questions from state Sen. John Albers and former Secretary of State Karen Handel on issues ranging from TSPLOST and Milton County to budgets and city centers.

The candidates from Johns Creek, Roswell and Alpharetta overwhelmingly spoke out against TSPLOST, a proposed 1-cent regional transportation sales tax that will go before voters in 2012, and in favor of the formation of Milton County.

Roswell candidates faced specific questions regarding the city's budget and reserve fund, while Alpharetta candidates addressed downtown development, and Johns Creek candidates discussed the balance the city has struck between staff and outsourcing.

Check out our videos accompanying this article to hear the candidates' opening statements, and to hear where each candidate stood on specific issues. Add your questions and observations in the comments section to keep the conversation going.

The candidates running for office this year in Alpharetta, Johns Creek and Roswell are:

Alpharetta Mayor
David Belle Isle
Doug DeRito
Jim Paine

Alpharetta City Council Post 1
Ron Carter
Donald Mitchell (not present at forum) 

Alpharetta City Council Post 4
James Gilvin
Cheryl Oakes-incumbent

Alpharetta City Council Post 5
Hans Appen (not present at forum)
Michael Cross 

Johns Creek City Council Post 2
Swapna Bhave
Steve Broadbent
Brad Raffensperger

Roswell City Council Post 1
Rich Dippolito-incumbent
Mike Nyden
Thomas Shelton

Roswell City Council Post 2
Salma Ahmed
Adam Braund
Lee Fleck
Michael Martin
Becky Wynn-incumbent

Roswell City Council Post 3
Betty Price-incumbent
Craig Voth