Candidate and Community Open Mic Night
October 22, 2026
Candidates spoke first, five minutes each, no debate. Then the mic went to the community. Recorded at the Make It Factory.
Welcome
I am running for Ashburn City Council. Tap play when you’re ready.
JamesBurgessLeads
Buildingourcommunityfromtheinsideout
Ashburncanmakeacomeback.
James Burgess for Ashburn City Council
The work ahead
I’m a lifelong advocate for transparency, equity, and smart growth in rural Georgia. Grounded in service and driven by impact, I focus on creating real solutions for real people — from expanding opportunities for small businesses and youth to ensuring local government works for everyone. My mission is simple: empower people, solve real problems, and build a future we can all be proud of.
Ashburn Community Survey
Tell me what matters on your street.
Before anybody asks for your vote, somebody should ask what you think. This survey is how I'm asking. Your answers help decide what comes first, and when what I hear changes the plan, the change is written down with the date.
- 1
About 5 minutes
20 quick questions, built for your phone. No login, and contact info is optional.
- 2
Your street, your priorities
Put what matters in order, name the biggest problem on your street, and rate the city services you use.
- 3
See where the plan answers it
When you finish, you'll see the Comeback Plan commitments that match what you told me.
- 4
Play Who Does What
An optional 8-question game at the end: is it the city, the county, or the state?
On a computer?
Scan to take it on your phone.
Watch
Recent videos
65 commitments
8 areas
Area 17 commitments
Know Your City
You can't hold anybody accountable to a system nobody explained.
Read this areaArea 26 commitments
Our Young People
A building is not the same as a resource.
Read this areaArea 313 commitments
Our Neighborhoods
What people actually call City Hall about.
Read this areaArea 410 commitments
Parks, Health, and Recreation
Five parks sitting quiet. And the sidewalk runs out.
Read this areaArea 55 commitments
Our Elders and Veterans
They shouldn't feel forgotten in a city they built.
Read this areaArea 66 commitments
Public Safety
Whether somebody comes when you call.
Read this areaArea 710 commitments
Running City Hall Right
Know where every dollar goes. Go get the ones we're missing.
Read this areaArea 88 commitments
Business, Downtown, and I-75
Interstate access gets you on a list. The drive-in decides.
Read this areaWhat should be fixed first on your street?
One tap. No login. No email required.
Latest news
All newsOct 24, 2026
What a week, Ashburn
Three events, three days, and 88 neighbors who took the survey. Here's what this week looked like, what you told me, and what's new on the site.
Oct 18, 2026
Take the Ashburn community survey
One person asking is a complaint. A whole lot of people asking is a priority. That's why I built the Ashburn community survey. It takes about 5 minutes…
Oct 18, 2026
Come talk with me this week
I've got three events this week, and all three are a chance to grab a copy of the plan, take the community survey, and tell me what matters…
Oct 18, 2026
Here's my plan
For the last few weeks you've seen pieces of my plan in ads. Today I'm putting the whole thing out. It's called the Ashburn Comeback Plan: Building Our…
Key dates
Early voting
October 13–30, 2026
Election Day
November 3, 2026
Opens the Georgia My Voter Page. See all key dates.
#OneTurnerCounty
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”