Tommie was elected Post 3 Commissioner in a Special Election in August, 2008, to fill the unexpired term of the late Hal Echols.

He is a life long resident of Paulding County, graduating from Paulding County High School, Georgia State University School of Business, the Graduate School of Banking at LSU, and the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. 

Tommie owns and manages self-storage facilities and leases industrial property in Dallas.  He is a former Chairman of the Paulding County School Board, a member of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Board of Directors of Praise Academy, a small Christian School. 

Tommie has been married to Kathy Morgan Graham for 25 years.  They have 3 daughters: Laura, Jennifer, and Ansley, 3 grandchildren: Tara, Bryson, and Jaden, and 2 sons in laws: Dustin and Eric.

Issues / Solutions for the citizens of Paulding County 

I. Jobs and the Economy– For too long, our economy has depended on residential construction.  As your Post 3 Commissioner I have worked with the BOC to start the process to diversify our tax base.

1.   Establishing a Medical Corridor around WellStar’s new 100 Bed Hospital Facility opening in 2013 at 278 and Bill Carruth Parkway.

2.   Develop a Rail Access Industrial Park on Bill Carruth Parkway.

3.   Development of the Technology Business Park at the Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport.

4.   Establishing an Economic Development Organization in Partnership with The Cities of Dallas & Hiram, Paulding County Chamber, and the Industrial Building Authority to have a unified Economic Development Program for all of Paulding County. 

II. Government Spending and Taxes – As your Post 3 Commissioner, I have worked with the BOC to cut spending while maintaining services.

1.   Reducing the County’s Maintenance & Operation Budget by $9 million for budget year ending 6/30/2010.

2.   Spending cut $2.3 million for 2011 Budget to make up tax revenue drop due to 17.5% tax digest decrease.

III. Traffic & Transportation – With our County’s population almost doubling since the last census, great pressure has been put on our road system.

1.   In October, we will approve the contract for the construction of the East Hiram Parkway, relieving traffic congestion in the area of 278 and 92.  This project is estimated at $32 million. With $6 million coming from local SPLOST Dollars to match with Federal and GRTA dollars to make this possible.

2.   In May, we signed a contract to four lane Bill Carruth Parkway from 278 to the Norfolk Southern Railroad. This is a $4.2 million local SPLOST Dollars project. This will relieve traffic and enhance the development of the Medical Corridor and the new Industrial Park.

3.   With the economic condition of GDOT, funding for improvements on state roads has been difficult.          We continue to look for avenues to advance the four laning of Highway 92.

IV. Growth & Development - Growth in Paulding County should be something that is planned, not that just happens or is reacted to.  We need to make sure we use our Comprehensive Land Use Plan as a guide to the future development of the County.  The plan should be up to date and used in all zoning requests.  The plan should be coordinated with a county wide infrastructure plan.  The Infrastructure Plan should include all county services (i.e. Transportation, Water, Sewage, Education, etc.).  With a usable Comprehensive and Infrastructure Plan, we will have a map as to how to manage the growth of Paulding County. 

V. Trust in Government - We are One Paulding County.  This is Our County.  As you’re Representative on the BOC,  I will ask questions to understand the facts and address the issues that face Paulding County in the Future.  I will listen to your problems and concerns and give you an answer to your question.  You may not always like my answer, but my yes is yes and my no is no.