Friday, October 5, 2001
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Friday, October 5, 2001 |
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Senoia candidates forum opens political season By JOHN
THOMPSON
A curious crowd of onlookers packed the Senoia Senior Center Wednesday to listen to some of Senoia's candidates for mayor and council. When the dust had settled, the crowd had learned that most of the candidates are focusing on managed, smart growth and want to maintain the integrity of one of Coweta County's fastest growing towns. In the race for mayor, Pam Youngblood stressed her experience in city government, including her positions on the City Council and the Planning Commission. She favors managing the growth and working together. The other candidate, Dianne Cleveland, also said she favors controlled growth and is adamantly opposed to quarter-acre lots. Cleveland also addressed Youngblood's call for her to resign last month and said the city should not be pulled apart, which is why she chose to run for mayor. The City Council race is more crowded with 11 candidates seeking the four spots. Tuesday, Jason Epps dropped out of the race because of conflicts with his working schedule as a Peachtree City police officer. Bill Wood emphasized his experience in the business world and said he wants to bring a spirit of volunteerism to the position. Pat Tunnell said his passion is the youth of the city and said he has worked with the youth at the Senoia Methodist Church and in his position as a school resource officer. He also wants to see the city grow slowly. Incumbent Councilman Robert Hannah said many of the residents already know his policies and said the city needs to get back to a better working relationship with the county. Former Mayor Lester Mann said he could bring a wealth of experience to the position and cited accomplishments in his administration such as the new city hall and new bridge on Rockaway Road. Bill Royal said he is a developer and claimed all the current development occurring in Senoia is being done wrong. He described himself as Senoia's version of Jessie Ventura, who was a political novice before winning the Minnesota governor's race. Two candidates sent statements because they were unable to at tend the forum. Ernie Jackson Jr. said he favors limiting the power of government and wants to reestablish a government in Senoia that is "for the people." Robert Belisle said he wants controlled growth and is opposed to the developments On Rockaway Road that he said have too little green space and too much of a traffic increase.
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