Newspaper Page Text
Page 6 October 13,2019 StarNews www.starnewsgaonline.com
"Offering the largest selection of high
quality furniture brands in the West Ga
area. Family owned and operated since
1975."
40^Moore 9 s Discount Furniture
t/t/eAt z & /Watt/zeAA. /?e£a/£est
” ™ fat visit*
*550 Is for services, not product.
Must spend at least 5100 to qualify for the 550 discount
306 Laurel St., Suite B • Bremen
Just behind the Dental Depot!
770-957-6500 www.eflclinic.com
980 Carrollton Hwy • Temple, Ga • 770.562.4444
www.mooresdiscountfurniture.com • Mon-Fri 9-7 • Sat 9-6 • Sun Closed
**
ELEMENTS
FOR LIFE
CLINIC
ANNOUNCING THE NEW "ELEMENTS FOR LIFE CLINIC"!
Chiropractic/Disc Care, Natural Hormone
Replacement Therapy, IV Minerals and
Chelation, Health-Audits (with biofeedback
and other natural health technologies),
Amethyst BioMat, and Ionic Footbaths.
Shown above are the three mayoral candidates for the City of Villa Rica at the Carrollton-Carroll County League of Women Voters Forum held Monday,
September 30th, in the Holt-Bishop building (city chambers/police station) downtown Villa Rica. Left to right seated at the podium are Dominque Conteh,
Michael Day, and Gill McDougal. Also shown, seated below is the League’s timekeeper for the forum Walter Dandliker. Photo by Sue Horn
/ILLA RICA MAYORAL from front page
McDougal is a native Villa Rican, having
ived in the city his entire life. He is a real
;state broker, investor, and entrepreneur. He
vas elected to the Villa Rica City Council in
1016 to fill the unexpired term of Mike
Villiamson. He was selected by Iris fellow
:ouncil members to serve as Mayor Pro Tem
'or 2 consecutive years.
“As a member of the council it’s difficult
o take credit for any one or more actions
ndividually,” he stated, “but I would say I
)layed an integral part in building a coalition
>f members who were able to work to
ogether to accomplish a host of steps toward
rnancial health. For the first time in decades
he city’s enterprise funds are self-support-
ng, which has the immediate added benefit
)f taking pressure off the property taxpayer
is well as strengthening the City’s financial
ndependence.”
Even though being mayor was not on Iris
“bucket list,” McDougal realized that “at this
moment in time, I am uniquely qualified to
step into this role at a time when the momen
tum of solving decades old problems is at
risk of waning. It seems to me this was my
responsibility.”
He sees growth, the infrastructure, and
citizen involvement as the main issues facing
the city. He would like to ensure financial
security for the city, positive growth, clean
drinking water, reliable infrastructure, safe
streets, and improved quality of life initia
tives. To do this, McDougal feels the public
needs to be educated on the issues and get
ting their “buy in.” “I think all of the public
wants these tilings, but sometimes it’s hard to
agree on what each of these tilings mean,” he
stated. “I will focus on needs, such as infra
structure, while not forgetting quality of life,
such as recreation, for our families and
youth; prioritizing how we expend the City’s
limited resources.”
Conteh has resided in VR since 2013. She
is a disabled veteran of the United Stated
Marine Corps, a professor at Georgia
Military College, and a small business
owner. She has served in higher education
for 16 years and been a business owner for 3
years. This is her first foray into the political
arena.
She feels she is the best choice for mayor
because “the time is right for unique per
spectives that reflect our growing and
diverse community. My experiences in
Educational Leadership, Indigenous
Leadership, Military Leadership, and
Community Based Leadership provides a
broad spectrum of understanding to ensure
council decisions reflect the entire commu
nity. hi addition, my vast experience in col
laborating and working as part of a team
would be beneficial for our community;
along with asking the tough questions at
council and being a voice for the community.
Transparency, thoughtfulness, and honesty
would be essential in any decision-making
processes put forth.”
Conteh sees a need for businesses that
address residential needs, which would also
provide revolving capital. Along with this,
she sees a need for more parking in the
downtown area and thinks the city should
build more parking. She sees the historic
buildings that reflect the history of Villa Rica
as an asset that need renovations. Plus, she
would like to see more options of big box
stores, cultural restaurants, retail stores, and
an extension of recreational facilities.
She envisions a veterans’ service center
that provides a host of benefits to re-establish
our veterans back into the community. “They
See VILLA RICA MAYOR page 47
IT IS AFFORDABLE SOLID
MAPLE!
Pinecrafters bunk beds and Heartland made
of USA southern pine!