Even in a tough economy, Flowery Branch is a wonderful place to live. We are blessed with a community where folks have good jobs, good schools, comfortable housing, and safe streets! I want to make sure things stay this way, which is why I am running for City Council of Flowery Branch. I believe, with your support, I can make a positive impact on the challenges we face in our City.

The future of Flowery Branch will be shaped and defined by decisions that will be made in the next several years. Who we elect to represent us on our City Council will help determine the answers to important issues such as:

• Accessibility to nighttime public meetings to encourage public participation
• Planned “Smart & Quality Development” that helps pay for itself and does not negatively impact our quality of life
• Taxes – how can we better balance government expenditures without raising taxes, and/or can we achieve the same quality of service with reduced taxes?
• Capital Improvements Plan – how can we look beyond the next fiscal year to plan, improve, and maintain our roads and infrastructure?

Motivation behind my decision-making will always lie with ensuring Flowery Branch continues to be a desirable place to live, work, play, visit, shop, grow a business and raise a family. While I do not expect voters to agree with all decisions I would make, I will represent the desires and concerns of my constituents and keep in mind the needs of the entire community.

As a wife, a working mother, a property owner and an active participant in the community, I represent the needs of the average household. I have over ten years of experience in the development industry as a professional civil engineer working in the Gainesville-Hall County area. I have seen how development, especially poorly designed development, can negatively impact a community's quality of life and impact its livability for families. And while currently serving our great nation as a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserve, I have visited places and seen the good and bad of change, and have been reminded of what a great place we live in. I want to make sure Flowery Branch continues to be a great place to live and raise a family.

You are probably thinking, “Does she have time to represent me and my concerns with having a fulltime job, being a good wife, mom, military officer, and member of the community?” The answer is “YES!” I am committed to representing you and your needs as a City Council member. Flowery Branch needs more council members who represent the average family. But, I need your help! I need people like you to donate time, energy, and experience in a variety of areas – but especially to get the word out to all of our neighbors. Please call me at (404) 434-1432 or email me at tmrichards@rochester-assoc.com to find out more about how you can help with the campaign.

Most importantly though, I need your VOTE! October 5th is the last day to register for the November 3rd City Council election, so please vote and encourage your neighbors to register (if not already) and to vote. There is information about voting and getting registered on the links page of this website.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and support!

Sincerely,
Tara M. Richards