Wednesday, April 18, 2001
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Wednesday, April 18, 2001 |
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Former PTC City Attorney Ott to seek Bost's seat By DAVE HAMRICK
Within a day after Commissioner Harold Bost announced his resignation, a Fayetteville lawyer became the first candidate to throw his hat in the ring to replace Bost. "I hate to see him [Bost] leave," said Stephen Ott, who said he first heard about Bost's decision to resign Friday. "I was just stunned." Bost kept the announcement close to the vest prior to last Thursday's County Commission meeting. The resignation is effective April 20, and commissioners have asked the county Elections Board to call a special election for June 19. Ott, who worked as a volunteer for Bost's election in 2000, said this week he has already started fund-raising and has built up a few thousand dollars. "I talked to my wife [Macy] and made sure that it was something she could support," he added. He had thought about qualifying to run in 2000, he said, but didn't follow through. Ott said he has supported Bost's positions in favor of slow growth and would continue those policies if elected. "Slow growth and organized growth," he said. Ott said he previously lived in Douglas County and "saw some examples of tremendous overgrowth and what I would consider a complete lack of planning." He also would favor low-density zoning, he said. Some growth is needed, though, he said. "Most businesses depend on some growth," he said, adding that he favors impact fees, and, "You don't get impact fees if you have no growth." Ott, 33, was formerly with the law firm Webb and Lindsey in Peachtree City, and recently joined Garcia and Bradley in Fayetteville. A native of Hogansville, Ga., he holds a B.A. in political science from Mercer University in Macon and a law degree from Georgia State University School of Law. At Webb and Lindsey, Ott said, he practiced primarily in the areas of plaintiff's personal injury and municipal law, defending the city of Peachtree City on zoning and land use issues. "I was privileged, while with that firm, to work for the city," he said. At Garcia and Bradley, he said, he works in a variety of legal matters, mostly automobile insurance cases for both plaintiffs and defendants, and general business representation. Married with one child, Ott volunteers as a mentor at Spring Hill Elementary School, and is an assistant coach in recreation t-ball. He also is a member of the Metro Fayette Kiwanis Club, Fayette County Republican Party, the county Bar Association (president in 1999) and serves on the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Board. He was awarded the Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Award for Outstanding Community Service last year. Though not making an outright endorsement, Bost said this week he is happy to see Ott run for his post. "I've got an awful lot of confidence in him," said Bost.
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