Infrastructure, safety, and quality of life were among the issues discussed by incumbent district commissioners and their opponents during the Gwinnett Chamber Candidates Forum presented by Gateway85. Continuing its series for the 2022 local elections, the Gwinnett Chamber remains committed to providing information and resources like these forums to help educate members on the policy positions of candidates.
Incumbent District Commissioners Ben Ku and Marlene Fosque are being challenged by John Sabic and Matthew Holtkamp, respectively. John Sabic is a first-generation immigrant from Western Bosnia. Matthew Holtkamp is President of Holtkamp Heating & Air Conditioning. Commissioner Ben Ku is a software engineer, and Commissioner Marlene Fosque is retired with 20 years of experience in the health insurance industry. Both incumbent commissioners were elected in 2018.
Sabic emphasized traffic and congestion has his top issues. Ku stressed the importance of the county’s infrastructure, mobility, and technology sector growth. Holtkamp highlighted crime and safety by properly supporting first responders. And Fosque focused on sustainable growth through infrastructure. While all four candidates had unique priorities, at least one thing was common. Each of them believes in Gwinnett County, wants to see Gwinnett thrive, and knows it will take a collaborative effort to succeed.
On the ballot this year for Gwinnett County is the renewal of the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) that funds capital projects in Gwinnett and its 16 municipalities. Over four billion dollars in sales tax funds have strengthened Gwinnett’s roads, trails, public libraries, public safety departments, and more. The Gwinnett Chamber board of directors voted to support the renewal. Candidates were asked whether they as a citizen would vote to continue this critical funding mechanism to the community’s future. Fosque, Holtkamp, and Ku said yes. Sabic is undecided.
During the 2022 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed HB 873 that changed the county commission district boundaries in Gwinnett. Thursday’s forum featured candidates for districts two and four. Learn more about the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners at GwinnettCounty.com, and for more information on the general election, visit us at GwinnettChamber.org
This event was recorded and can be watched on the Gwinnett Chamber’s Facebook Page.
