Dusty Graham Announces City Council Candidacy

Dusty Graham is the first to announce his candidacy for Duluth City Council Post 4 in the Nov. 8 municipal election. The seat is currently occupied by Councilman Doug Mundrick, who is not seeking re-election.

“As Duluth continues to grow and diversify, strong leaders are needed to make difficult decisions to keep the city moving in a positive direction,” Graham said. “I believe that I can be of service to the people of Duluth as we deal with balancing development vs. preserving our historic natural resources and developing policies around privacy vs. security.” Graham expressed concern about the city’s expansion of camera surveillance of public streets and support for economic development of the entire city, not just downtown.

“The economy continues to present challenges to both citizens and the city,” he said. “Zoning laws prevent citizens from seeing clients or running certain businesses in their homes. In a time that sees unemployment rates running at close to 10 percent, it is time to rewrite these ordinances so honest people trying to make an honest living are able to do so.”

“All of these challenges and more will require strong leadership on the council,” he said. “Decisions need to be made with honesty, integrity, and with a focus on what is best for the entire city. I can offer this to the citizens and look forward to getting to know many of them during my campaign.” 

Graham was born and raised on a small family farm in Kentucky. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Kentucky, he eventually migrated to Atlanta in 1997 and finally to Duluth in the summer of 2000.

Following a career in information technology and management with companies such as BellSouth and Nextel Communications, Dusty left the corporate world and moved his career in a different direction. In 2003, he graduated from the Atlanta School of Massage.

He worked on the committee that drafted the Georgia Massage Therapy Practice Act and assisted with the recent update of Duluth’s ordinance. Graham recently completed a course of study at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and is now working to develop a health coaching and massage therapy practice.

Graham said he became interested in city operations after learning about the potential impact that improvements to McClure Bridge Road would have on the trees that define that corridor. Since then Graham has become a regular attendee at city council meetings. He completed the city’s L.E.A.D. leadership program, served on the Mayor’s Advisory Council and as chairman of the 2011 Citizens Budget Committee.

Most evenings, weather permitting, Graham and his wife Livette can be seen walking through downtown Duluth.

Qualifying for Posts 4 and 5 on the council begins Aug. 29 and continues through Aug. 31. Post 5 is held by Councilman Greg Whitlock, who plans to seek re-election. Voter registration deadline for this election is Oct. 11.