Newspaper Page Text
UPSON
BEACON
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Page 4B
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
My number one goal for Thomaston is to help it prosper. This
will include many different issues and it is hard to pick one
more major than the others, ie: homelessness, elderly care,
our youth, infrastructure, crime. We need to work together
(churches, civic organizations, residents, council) to accom
plish this task.
17. Who is already backing you?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I think that I am supported by the current council and by many
people who are focused on the present and future of what this
town can be. My supporters are people who want to work to
gether to make our community a place where young, middle
age, and older people can live, work, and play together.
Sharon King, Challenger
My family, my church family, the citizens of Thomaston whom
I have met and have established a positive rapport with. I’ve
also gained endorsements from Commissioner Bryan
Threadgill (Chairman of Meriwether County Board of Com
missioners), Mayor Pro Tern Christopher Hightower of Bar-
nesville, Ga, Honorable John Eaves (Candidate for Secretary
of State/ former Fulton County Chairman), Honorable Curt
Thompson (Lawyer and former State Senator), Retired Lt.
Sheriff Charles Rambo (Fulton County Sheriff Office and GA
Post Instructor), Upson County Commissioner Lorenzo
Wilder.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Unlike my opponent I do not have endorsers from out of town
that want to help influence what happens to our city. My sup
porters are all local business owners as well as residents.
Those are the people of whom we should be listening.
18. What is your job history and have you ever
been terminated?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I am very fortunate in that I have worked in banking for 38
years. I worked for C & S Bank for 12 years and for Bank of
Upson/Southcrest Bank for 26 years. I love the work that I
do and have never been terminated.
Sharon King, Challenger
I’ve been a nurse for 28 years. I have an associates and bach
elor’s degree. I’m currently working on my master’s degree in
nursing as a nurse practitioner. I have been terminated from
a job. Approximately three years ago. A family member had
major surgery. I took time off to care for them. During my time
off, the facility had a state survey. My assistant was present.
Upon my return I was told by my supervisor that “upper-level
management felt I should’ve been present during the survey.”
My family comes first. I wouldn’t have changed my decision.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I worked several small jobs before I joined URMC in the 90’s
and started their cancer registry. I then went to Doctors Hos
pital in Columbus for two years. From 1996 to 2006 I ran my
own contract Cancer Registry business. Next, I joined Pied
mont Fayette Hospital where I established their cancer reg
istry and since then have moved from Cancer Registrar to
Coordinator to Manager of the Cancer Programs for Piedmont
Atlanta, Fayette, Henry and Newnan. I also work closely with
three other Piedmont Cancer Programs (Athens, Columbus
and Macon). I have NEVER been terminated from a position.
19. Do you plan to stay involved in the city as a
volunteer or an appointee to a committee if you
lose?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I definitely want to be involved when my days on the council
are over. In particular, I would love to stay on the Downtown
Development Authority and help with the City Economic De
velopment Department to help make our Master Plan a real
ity.
Sharon King, Challenger
I have faith that I will win this race, but I will always serve the
citizens of Thomaston. I’ve been serving others since my teen
age years. I will always be a servant to help mankind. In order
to be a great leader, one must be able to serve. I’m intelligent
enough to hold a conversation with the smartest person in
the world, yet I am humble enough to sit down and hold a con
versation with a homeless person, an alcoholic, or a person
who is strung out in. drugs. I’m also a new member of Lions
Club International.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Absolutely! One thing I have learned is our volunteers are
what makes the difference! My first preference is to be on the
community relations committee.
20. Do you believe it is the city council’s/mayor’s
job to close businesses, mandate masks, or man
date vaccines because of the pandemic?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I really do not feel the city should be making decisions for in
dividuals regarding their health during the Pandemic. I would
not order the closing of businesses, nor would I mandate
masks or vaccines. I appreciate that URMC keeps our people
informed, and I would encourage individuals to speak to their
family doctor to make their own decisions regarding their
health and businesses.
Sharon King, Challenger
I don’t think it’s the government job to mandate vaccines.
People have their own choice and rights. However, I think we
can definitely monitor our COVID-19 cases to determine if
we need to close businesses and/or mandate masks. While
these mandates might not please everyone, safety and life
preservation is of the utmost concern to me. Even before I
took the Florence Nightingale pledge, I was concerned about
others’ welfare.
21. How do you feel about the community rela
tions committee and what they are doing?
Doug Head, Incumbent
The community relations committee was set up to discuss the
R E Lee issue and a number of other topics including home
lessness and litter. Several members have resigned and have
not yet been able to be replaced. This has made the job of the
committee difficult. I just don’t think that committees are suc
cessful unless they represent all people. Dealing with hard is
sues is not easy, but if you are to get to a solution, you have
to have both sides at the table. We will see where it goes.
Sharon King, Challenger
I think it’s vital to have a community relations committee as
it fosters the transparency that I think the citizens need. Cur
rently, I believe there is not adequate representation on the
committee at this time (No representation for District 3) for
me to make a credible response to this question. I am going
to defer any other response to this question until a later time.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I believe that the committee is a good “idea” if all districts are
represented. I do feel that there needs to be more people on
this committee (maybe two from each district) and I don’t
think that there should be the 5th person added by the Mayor
Pro Tern because that gives one district an extra vote on the
council. It should be an equal number of representation from
all districts.
22. Do you support an overall increase in rent for
city-owned housing properties?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I believe that from time to time we will have to raise rents on
city owned housing projects in line with HUD’s Fair Market
Rent Calculation Methodology. Cost will go up over time and
these properties will have to be maintained. As with anything,
those cost will eventually have to be addressed.
Sharon King, Challenger
I disagree with increasing rent and taxes. Increasing commer
cial and residential growth is what I am pushing instead of
raising taxes and increasing rent. If a citizen is already strug
gling to pay rent due to mitigating circumstances, raising the
rent will only foster a lose-lose situation. The tenant will more
than likely be evicted (possible homeless situation) and the
city loses revenue until another qualified tenant is found.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I believe that the rent for city-owned housing should be com
patible with other Section 8 housing and if that means raising
the rent for current owners, then yes. Why should the city
offer cheaper housing than what is standard? Of course, the
city needs to maintain those rental properties.
23. Whose decision should it be if the name R.E.
Lee should be removed or remain on the govern
ment complex? And should the city relocate its
offices?
Doug Head, Incumbent
It is a decision that the City Council and County Commission
would have to make together as we are co-owners. But right
now it is a moot point because there is a state law that pro
hibits the removal of confederate imagery unless it goes to a
place of equal prominence. It is a sensitive issue and some
thing that should involve conversation and not be done in
haste. I do not favor moving out of the current city offices be
cause of the potential high cost....possibly hundreds of thou
sands of dollars.
Sharon King, Challenger
I think the citizens should make the decision by voting. I do
not believe a committee should make this decision. Everyone
is entitled to his or her personal belief, but as an elected offi
cial who represents the citizens, we must deny our personal
feelings and do what is best for our citizens.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
As for removing the name, that is a non-issue because there
is a state law to prohibit any changes being made to the name
on the building. Should we add additional monuments or rep
resentation to reflect our community, yes I believe we should.
As for moving the offices from the current location, I am
against this due to the cost of purchasing/building or rehab-
bing another facility plus the cost of maintaining two buildings
since the city will still be responsible for the current building
that it owns. It is up to the council to be fiscally responsible
with taxpayers money.
24. Council members are required to live within
the city limits to hold office. Do you believe that
elected members who own no property within
the city have an ethical conflict voting on millage
rate increases?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I believe that some people will make the decision that renting
suits them better than home ownership. How we raise the
revenues to support our government involve a number of op
tions such as ad valorem taxes and fees. I think, whether they
rent or own, when we elect someone, we trust them to make
the decisions of how to fund our budget.
Sharon King, Challenger
I do not think that this would pose a problem. Just as I am, I
would hope all elected officials would be honest, trustworthy,
and credible to make the best decision regardless of res
idency.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I do not currently own property within the city, and I am not
against recusing myself from voting on Millage rate increases.
But, I also believe that people who live in the county and who
own and operate a business within the city should have a vote
in any city decisions.
25. Do you think that elected officials having
home occupation businesses, whether physical in
nature or online, should have a valid business li
cense/occupational tax certificate?
Doug Head, Incumbent
I do believe that anyone in business should be required to have
a valid business license/occupational tax certificate.
Sharon King, Challenger
I do. As elected officials, we should lead by example. I have al
ways believed that a title is just that-a title. I can only speak
for myself. If I owned a home-based business, (whether phys
ical in nature or online) I should be held to the same standards
and expectations as my constituents. Elected officials should
not receive preferential treatment.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
Absolutely. Elected or not, if you run a home-based business
and meet the licensing requirements, then you should have a
business license/occupational tax certificate. However,
elected officials should be honest and transparent.
26. Per the Public Service Commission, the City
of Thomaston consistently has some of the
cheapest residential electric rates in the state of
Georgia. How do you feel about raising these
rates to combat inflation and increases due to
rising operational costs?
Doug Head, Incumbent
Some people may be surprised to hear that we do have very
competitive residential electric rates compared to the other
94 providers in the state. The last comparison I saw showed
10th lowest (of 94) in the summer and 27th lowest in the
winter. These electric fees help us cover our general fund ex
penses and so, like anything else, if faced with inflation or in
creases in operational costs, we would have to discuss how
those funds would be raised whether through utility rate in
creases or ad valorem tax.
Sharon King, Challenger
We need to continue to offer the cheapest electric rates, but
there are other ways to combat inflation. It’s no right or wrong
answer because inflation is such a huge issue that many cities
and even our nation faces. We, the council need to ensure a
balanced budget. Reformation to reduce inflation and finding
ways to capitalize should also be considered as options. I don’t
have all the answers but working towards a solution for the
people is my goal!
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
I do not think it should be raised. There are too many people
living in the city on fixed incomes. However, I do think we
should investigate and pursue other options to avoid raising
these costs.
27. What policy/ordinance that has been enacted
in the past four years do you disagree with, and
why?
Doug Head, Incumbent
The ordinances that have I seen as most problematic relate
to our alcohol ordinances. We are currently working on and
have recently passed new alcohol ordinances to help our city
in the entertainment district. I also want to work on how to
allow golf carts in our city.
Sharon King, Challenger
While I support the ordinance for restaurants pouring alcohol,
I am baffled as to why the required distance from a restaurant
pouring alcohol to churches or schools been trimmed from
100 yards to five feet (According to the Upson Beacon-Sept.
16,2021). I oppose such close proximity to our kids and our
places of worship. From 300 feet to five feet? I would like a
logical explanation for this decrease.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
From a business-owners point of view, the new security cam
era ordinance/policy is too broad and needs to be reconsid
ered. The business owner and perhaps one designated
employee should only have access to something so vital to the
business’s security and protection, not every employee.
I do think that our citizens should receive more timely notifi
cations of any future/planned policies/ordinances - before
they are enacted - so that they can voice their concerns,
hopefully avoiding any future issues.
28. If the dilapidated mill site at 325 Martha Mills
was available for purchase and was acquired,
what is your vision for the site?
Doug Head, Incumbent
If we could acquire it right now, I would want the Judicial
Center to be built there as I think that is the best location.
This would clean up and help utilize this site. If not that, a
public/private partnership might be good to develop that site
with a mixed-use project that would connect the Greatest
Generation Park and The Lakeside Park.
Sharon King, Challenger
I would like to create multiple multi-purpose facilities that
would best serve all citizens and all ethnicities. Some possible
options could be but are not limited to: Cultural institutions
such as museums, resource centers that will help youth and
adults develop life-skills, job skills, multi-sports complex, there
are many options. Even areas for green spaces. I would work
closely with the growth and economic development offices to
ensure the location is being used to maximize its space, be
cost and energy efficient, but most importantly, it will well-
serve the needs and provide the resources of our citizens.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
A retirement village would be a very nice addition to the area
if it is in keeping with the historic character of the neighbor
hood which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Loraine “Lori” Lindsey, Challenger
No I do not. I believe that these are personal choices, and the
government should stay out of it.
Continued on page 6B
