Duluth City Council Candidate Dusty Graham Q&A

Duluth Patch asked candidates for the Post 4 seat on the Duluth City Council a series of questions relating to city government. Post 4 is the only contested race in the Nov. 8 Duluth Municipal Election. Doug Mundrick, who currently occupies Post 4 on the council, is not seeking re-election.

Early voting in the election continues at through Friday, Nov. 4. Polls open on Election Day at 7 a.m. at Duluth City Hall and remain open until 7 p.m.

Name, age: Dusty Graham, 40.

How long lived in city: I have been a Duluth resident since June of 2000 (11 years).

Occupation: Health coach, massage therapist, and business owner.

What experience in your background do you think has best prepared you for serving on the Duluth City Council?

I have worked in corporate America managing teams with million dollar budgets and large staffs, and I have worked for myself as a small business owner. These two different perspectives allow me to understand the larger picture while being prepared to do what needs to be done to support local businesses.

Tell Duluth Patch readers about your vision for Duluth and how you would accomplish it?

Duluth is turning a corner with the potential to become a destination for Northeast Atlanta. In order to maintain the momentum, Duluth needs to re-evaluate its  ordinances in regards to alcohol, signage, and other issues so that businesses can continue to grow and attract customers. Less is more, and it is time to re-evaluate everything.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Duluth, and how would you approach it?

Duluth is currently spending more money than it is taking in. In order to prevent, or reduce, any tax increases we need to focus on maximizing what we have, eliminating extras, and maintaining infrastructure and public safety. 

This may mean that some programs, departments, and construction projects need to be put on hold until tax revenue returns to more sustainable levels.

Do you have any suggestions for increasing city revenue and/or reducing expenses?

I am in favor of cutting programs, reducing regulation, and eliminating departments before asking citizens to dig deeper into their pockets to fund the many extras that Duluth government still continues to provide. 

Creating a friendlier environment for business and cutting city programs will help us reduce the gap between revenue and expenses.

Address an issue you think is important to the City of Duluth.

Many people I have spoken with have expressed their disappointment in the Good Ol’ Boy network that has driven Duluth politics for decades and have stopped participating in local government because of this. I am stepping forward to offer an alternative to the voters of the city.

New energy, new ideas, and a new direction are what I offer Duluth. It is time we recognize that Duluth is Duluth all the way to the city limits, and we all have a say in how things get done.