Staff Directory • Vanessa Thomas

Vanessa W. Thomas holds a bachelor's degree in office administration, from the University of Louisville. She also holds certifications from the National Center for Paralegal Training, Gwinnett Technical College, and Central Texas College. She also serves as the HOA Board President for her community and is member of World Changers Church International (WCCI). 

Vanessa is a retired U.S. Federal Government worker. She previously worked as a paralegal, registered mediator, administrative supervisor, management/program analyst, and real estate agent.

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Vanessa currently serves as a member of the McDonough City Council. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term. 

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Supports creating affordable housing, jobs, and entertainment options for families, as well as internship and employment opportunities.

Followed a "live/work/play balance platform", including expanding affordable housing, jobs, entertainment options for families, and internship and job opportunities.

As mayor, increased the minimum wage for city employees to $18 per hour.

- Followed a "live/work/play balance platform", including expanding affordable housing, jobs, entertainment options for families, and internship and job opportunities.
- As mayor, increased the minimum wage for city employees to $18 per hour.

Economy

As a city commissioner, approved the establishment of a City Health and Human Services Department.

As a county commissioner, approved consolidating polling locations into one site and one ballot for both municipal and county elections.

Reinstated the City’s Youth Advisory Council.

Allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for upgrades to city parks.

Redirected American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to improve city parks.

- As a city commissioner, approved the establishment of a City Health and Human Services Department.
- As a county commissioner, approved consolidating polling locations into one site and one ballot for both municipal and county elections.
- Reinstated the City’s Youth Advisory Council.
- Redirected American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to improve city parks.

Public Services

As a city commissioner, allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide housing, food, rental assistance, and utility support for city residents.

As a city council member, enacted a moratorium on multi-family zoning districts and hotel development within the city.

As a city council member, revised Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) to mandate timelines for developers to start and finish projects to prevent delays of over 10 years.

- As a city commissioner, allocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide housing, food, rental assistance, and utility support for city residents.
- As a city council member, enacted a moratorium on multi-family zoning districts and hotel development within the city.
- As a city council member, revised Title 17 (Zoning Ordinance) to mandate timelines for developers to start and finish projects to prevent delays of over 10 years.

Housing & Urban Development

Organized the seminar “Know Your Rights” on interactions with law enforcement.

As a city council member, approved installation of FLOCK cameras for the Police Department to enhance public safety.

- Organized the seminar “Know Your Rights” on interactions with law enforcement.
- As a city council member, approved installation of FLOCK cameras for the Police Department to enhance public safety.

Public Safety

As of September 3, 2025, Vanessa W. Thomas’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Vanessa W. Thomas

Supports creating affordable housing, jobs, entertainment, internships, employment, and educational opportunities for citizens and youth in McDonough.

Supports creating affordable housing opportunities for citizens and youth.

Vanessa W. Thomas is a 37-year resident of the State of Georgia and serves as a member of the McDonough, Georgia City Council. As a graduate from the University of Louisville with Bachelor of Science Degree in Office Administration, she also holds certifications from the National Center for Paralegal Training, Gwinnett Technical College, and Central Texas College. In addition to her extensive training and education, she serves as the HOA Board President for her community. As a 32-year active member of World Changers Church International (WCCI), her Skills and training aided in the formation of the community outreach legal ministry which has impacted lives for over 20 years. Her service at WCCI also includes her volunteerism on several community outreach projects.

Vanessa is a retired U.S. Federal Government public servant. She previously worked as a paralegal, registered mediator, administrative supervisor, management/program analyst, and real estate agent.

Vanessa is currently a member of the McDonough City Council. She was elected in 2022 and is currently serving her first term. 

As of September 3, 2025, Vanessa W. Thomas did not have a website or any information online.

Buket Urgen

Montina is from Steubenville, Ohio. She has a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from Kent State University. She also holds a master's degree in organizational development from the University of Phoenix. 

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Montina is an adjunct professor at Southern Technical Crescent College. She's also the founder and manager of the CIA Media Group, LLC. She is a member of numerous boards, including the NAACP, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and others. 

Montina Young Fraiser's campaign for McDonough City Council At-Large is her first entry into politics.

Supports small businesses and smart growth.

- Supports small businesses and smart growth.

Supports local connection, youth inspiration, veteran recognition, and senior engagement.

- Supports local connection, youth inspiration, veteran recognition, and senior engagement.

As of September 3, 2025, Montina Young Fraiser’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Prioritizes public safety, infrastructure, transportation, and the L.I.V.E. Initiative, a people-first plan that focuses on connection, care, and community.

Prioritizes the L.I.V.E. Initiative, a people-first plan that focuses on connection, care, and community.

- Prioritizes the L.I.V.E. Initiative, a people-first plan that focuses on connection, care, and community.

Supports improving infrastructure and transportation.

- Supports improving infrastructure and transportation.

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Montina Young Fraiser

Montina Young Fraiser is from Steubenville, Ohio. She has a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising and marketing from Kent State University. She lives with her husband and their blended family of five in McDonough.

As of September 3, 2025, Montina Young Fraiser did not have a website or any information online.

Walter Ley

Supports small businesses and wants to invest in "smart growth."

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 