Newspaper Page Text
Page 2B
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I believe that it is pretty hypocritical for folks in Thomaston
to drive to Barnesville or Zebulon to purchase liquor instead
of spending their dollars here; especially since you can buy
beer and wine at the grocery store and get a mixed drink at a
restaurant. I do believe it is important to maintain setbacks
from churches, parks and schools. I do believe that applicants
should be thoroughly vetted. Some people are morally against
it, everyone will have to vote their own conscious.
4. If you could change one thing in our zoning
code, what would it be and why?
Doug Head, Incumbent
Our City council is currently working on this very issue. We
have contracted out to completely redo our Zoning codes,
which haven’t been changed much since the 1960’s. Some
changes need to be done to help control the look and appear
ance of our community and to help deal with changes in life
style such as people working out of their homes.
Sharon King, Challenger
I would like to see stricter code enforcement for all businesses
with more transparency to the public.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
It should be harder to rezone, instead of easier, especially up
against residential areas. People live in Thomaston because
of its small-town appeal, and we need to maintain that quality.
Each request should be considered on its own merits, and it
should also be a more transparent process.
5. Do you think downtown is successful? If not,
what would you do to change it?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I think we have a beautiful downtown, but we need help for
the future. Our new Master Plan and Rural Designation is a
game changer and will help us address the economic gaps
(such as full service dining, entertainment, and drinking es
tablishments) that we need for our people. I think these
things will make our community better and a place where
young people will want to come back to live.
Sharon King, Challenger
Downtown is such a beautiful site, but I definitely think it can
be more robust. I don’t think there’s much consumer oppor
tunities for ALL citizens. This is something that needs to be
discussed with citizens in an open forum. This will allow us to
understand what they believe will make downtown a ‘place of
destination’. I would love to discuss this initiative further with
Mr. Taylor Smith, Economic Development Coordinator as well
as the Chamber of Commerce president.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
The city is on the right track with the new Master Plan for the
downtown and the hiring of a new Economic Development
Coordinator. But all of that work will be futile if the people of
Thomaston don’t support our downtown; it’s use will make it
successful.
6. Do you think the city council is doing a good
job and why?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I think we have done a good job and have a great city manager
and city financial officer. We are currently addressing the
needs we have regarding public safety and infrastructure. We
are financially sound and currently have operational reserves
equal to 7 or more months’ worth of primary government ex
penditures. But the best is yet to come, and the recently done
Master Plan will change this town in good ways and make it a
place where young people will want to come back to live.
Sharon King, Challenger
I will not discredit our current city council or any previous city
council. Being in any public office takes courage. However, I
do feel that we could do more, and that change is always good.
Right now, Thomaston needs change. For us as a city to move
forward and not become stagnated, we must address racial
issues and divide, be acceptable to change, and unite in pro
gression. Example, I’ve worked a code blue with a nurse who
hated me. For that moment, we worked together to save a life!
Despite our differences, we united for a common goal.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I think they need help, that is why I’m running. I believe their
focus should be redirected to their constituents’ concerns.
7. How do you plan to involve residents in the
decision-making process in our town?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I think the best way is through town hall meetings that ad
dress particular topics. We have recently done this regarding
the city’s new alcohol ordinances and rental property related
issues. I hope we can have one soon to talk about our new
Master Plan and Rural Designation and the opportunities that
exist that will change our community in lots of great ways.
Sharon King, Challenger
In order to gain the trust of the citizens, they must be included
in the discussion of decisions that need to be made. Trans
parency is vital. I would like to encourage citizens to attend
the city council meetings. I would hold town hall meetings in
every neighborhood that will be affected and have community
events. It’s not the elected officials that run the town. Even
though elected officials make the decisions, it should be the
citizens’ voice that is heard.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I would like to hold regular town hall sessions on specific sub
jects to get feedback from the city residents, inviting key
members but allowing all who are interested to attend. Heart
& Soul already has some great feedback, and it is being put
to good use. Most importantly, we need to encourage the
people in town to speak up and let us know what is important
to them.
UPSON
BEACON
8. If you received a $1 million grant to use for the
city, what would you do with it?
Doug Head, Incumbent
We do have grants now that we have used toward infrastruc
ture which is much needed. But what really excites me today
is our new Master Plan and the opportunities that exist to
make this a community where young people will want to come
back to live. I would use the money for facade grants, the
beautification of our entertainment district, and to improve
the walkability of our downtown.
Sharon King, Challenger
Since this is not a decision I would be making independently,
I would discuss with the city manager, the finance director
along with city council. I would suggest the funds be used to
decrease debt, improve infrastructure, fund/launch programs
to support our workers and small businesses as well as pro
vide resources for citizens to receive soft and hard skills train
ing. I would determine our immediate needs and place them
as priorities!
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Homelessness and the needs of the elderly seem to be in the
forefront of our citizens minds at the moment. There are cur
rently churches and civic organizations that are helping these
people and instead of re-inventing the wheel, I would utilize
and help support the programs that are working. But I also
feel that a $1 million grant would go a lot further and could
be used in other areas to help Thomaston prosper.
9. What neighborhood do you live in and why?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I live in Avalon in the Pines within a mile of downtown. My
home is within a 5-minute walk of the house where I grew up.
I live there because it is near where I have always called home
and is close to everything in town I need.
Sharon King, Challenger
I live in the Dallas Heights area. I love the quiet neighborhood,
friendly neighbors, convenience to local highways and stores.
I’m close to other family members as well.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I live in Avalon in the Pines and love the neighborhood, homes,
and the people. Though I am renting, I have been here for 6
years and hope that within the next year or so we are able to
buy in this same neighborhood or one very close by.
10. Do you support a local preference policy?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I definitely support the local preference policy because I al
ways want to, within reason, support our local businesses and
local economy. I want to keep as much of our money and ex
penditures in our community as possibility. Our people pay
taxes, and I want to support them.
Sharon King, Challenger
I disagree with local preference policy. If we don’t look at the
pro and cons this could hurt us. Local preference policies are
very limited. You can’t participate in some state contracts.
This could lead to lawsuits. And, though we may think tax dol
lars are being spent in value it’s spent in subsidies.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Yes, if it is competitive. Sometimes it isn’t feasible or the
service might not be available locally. As far as the city is con
cerned, it is their obligation to make sure they are using our
money in the best possible manner.
11. Where are your favorite places to spend time
in our community?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I love our downtown and the beautiful neighborhoods we
have, and they are some of my favorite places. I grow more
and more to love the small town feel of our community, but
there is so much more that we can be, and these are identified
in our new Master Plan. I want more than anything for this to
be a town that young people want to come back to. I want it
to be a place they want to live, work, and play!
Sharon King, Challenger
Greatest Generation Park, Ritz Theatre (occasionally, when it
was open). There are not a variety of places that provide or
support the interest or hobbies of all citizens of Thomaston.
Besides school-based and recreational sports, what does
Thomaston have to offer the African-American, Hispanic and
other non-white youths? Not much that I am aware of.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Greatest Generation Park, downtown shopping
12. Where was the last local restaurant you dined
in and the last store you shopped in without cam
paigning?
Doug Head, Incumbent
The two most recent are La Fiesta and Rescue Me, but I
frequent many of our local restaurants and businesses and I
am thankful for each and every one.
Sharon King, Challenger
I haven’t dined in a local restaurant since I began campaigning.
The last store I shopped in without campaigning was Wal-
Mart.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Since I eat out a lot, I frequent many of the drive-thrus
throughout the city as well as weekly dinners out with friends.
We patronize all of the restaurants. I can’t say that I have a
favorite but the last one in the city I went to was the Pie. I
would love to see more “restaurants” and not hamburger or
chicken joints come to town to give more options for sit-down
dining.
13. Will you support our local chamber? IDA?
Doug Head, Incumbent
Yes, I currently support both the Chamber of Commerce and
Thursday, October 14, 2021
the Industrial Development Authority. I am a member of the
Chamber as is my employer, and I often attend meetings of
the IDA. I support both because they support current busi
nesses in our community and help seek and recruit new ones.
They support jobs which are the engines that drive this com
munity.
Sharon King, Challenger
I will highly support the chamber and IDA. I have also ad
dressed this during my campaign efforts. This will help with
our industrial growth. Involving the IDA and Chamber will be
vital in our industrialization, which in return will increase our
urbanization. Do you remember Thomaston Mill that closed
in the 80s? We need another thriving industrialization entity
here and I am sure with the help of the Chamber and IDA we
can find ways to make this happen.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Of course, I support attracting new business to Thomaston
other than minimum wage, unskilled jobs. However, the ac
tivities of the IDA are not usually known until after a deal is
struck. I understand that discretion is necessary when nego
tiating with some companies, but that limits input from the
public until something has to be legally advertised, like a zon
ing change. IDA members are privy to some very important
information before the rest of us and I would expect any con
flicts of interest be made known publicly in their meeting mi
nutes.
14. What’s more important for our city right now,
building new homes & commercial space, or re-
habilita- ting/expanding and better utilizing our
existing homes 8< storefronts?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I really want to see both. There are many businesses in our
historic district that need redeveloping and improving, and
examples of how this can be done can be seen in our Master
Plan. But we also have a low inventory of houses to rent or
buy. I feel we need starter homes for young people and apart
ments with amenities in the $700 to $1200/month rental
group.
Sharon King, Challenger
I definitely think it can be both. We definitely need residential
growth, and our city is transforming! People are buying in
vestment homes and retirement homes. We need to grow with
the demand. So, I definitely agree with the expansion and the
rehabilitation/revitalization of our existing homes/store
fronts. On the other hand, building new homes and commer
cial space is a part of that second option of expanding.
Thankfully, our current council has already started this, and
we need to continue!
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Rehabbing the spaces we have is a much more preferrable way
to go, preserving our culture and history. Why tear down and
rebuild? The largest neighborhood of affordable homes is on
the national register of historic places and we should maintain
those. As for businesses, there are so many empty buildings,
both on the square and at Northside, these need to be uti
lized.
15. What makes you stand out from the other
candidates? And why are you running?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I have done this job for 17 years and feel like I know a lot
about what needs to be done and how to do it. Something
that I think is really important is the 38 years of Banking ex
perience that gives me a real ability to understand the fi
nances of local government and how to look at cash flow,
financing alternatives, budgets and financial projections. I am
running again because I love this community. While we have
accomplished a lot, the best is yet to come!
Sharon King, Challenger
I’ve experienced some of the same circumstances our constit
uents have experienced or are experiencing now. I was a single
parent. I depended on the assistance of TANF, a monthly as
sistance check of $235/month. I’ve struggled to pay bills. I’ve
had people look down on me and try to look past my qual
ifications due to the color of my skin. I’ll never stop fighting
for my constituents’ rights. I’m running for Mayor Pro Tern
because I want to be the change. I’d rather stand alone for
what is right, than to stand with a crowd for what is wrong!
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I stand out because I am standing up! I wish more people
would stand up and make their concerns known and to make
our town better. Over the last few years, I have seen things
happening in this town - some good and some questionable
- and I want to be involved to help make our city and our cit
izens prosper.
16. What is the one major issue you plan to ad
dress?
Doug Head, Incumbent
The issue I am most excited about is working with our City
Economic Development Coordinator and using our new
Master Plan, new alcohol ordinances, Downtown Development
Authority (which I am on), and entertainment district to make
this town a place where young adults will want to come back
and live.
Sharon King, Challenger
There are many issues that I feel are major and must be ad
dressed at some point. Some of these include: an increase in
the rise of Thomaston’s poverty rate, homelessness issues,
road infrastructure, revitalization, lack of unity amongst dif
ferent races of people, lack of citizen-police trust, etc., ho
wever, to be asked to choose ONE major issue isn’t
reasonable. I say this because by the time I am sworn into of
fice, some of these issues may have been already addressed
and require a follow-up plan or continuum of the current plan.
The growth of our city depends on it.
Continued on page 4B