Running for Snellville City Council: Tom Witts

Three seats are open on the council: Post 3, 4 and 5. Incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Tom Witts is running for re-election for his seat, Post 3, which has been challenged by candidate Alisa Boykin.

Name: Tom Witts 
How long have you lived in Snellville? My wife and I moved into Snellville in April of 1992.
Educational background: Fell Township High School, Simpson, Pennsylvania; Lackawanna Junior College and Penn State University (under the G.I. bill)
Family: Married to Carol Witts since 1989, four children: Bobby McGranahan Fort Myers, FL; Hollie Witts Scranton, PA; Rick McGranahan (deceased) and Kelly Witts Murphy (deceased). One granddaughter, Emily, Scranton, PA.
Military background: Served in the US Navy, two tours in Vietnam.
Occupation: President/CEO Georgia Property Restoration, disaster restoration contractors with offices in Snellville and Tucker.

How many terms/years have you served on the council? I’m running for my second term. I was originally elected in 2009.

What inspired you to run for re-election? I’m running for re-election for the same reason I originally ran. I believe in Snellville, but I watched the quality of life and the quality of place deteriorate. The City was becoming a haven for pawn shops and used car lots. Highway 78 was blighted with empty buildings and the sense of community that was at one time an attraction was slipping away. Although I believe we have come a long way towards building the sense of community and improving the quality of life and place, there is still much to do. I remain committed to making Snellville a place we can all be proud to call home. Keeping services at a high level while guarding tax dollars by applying approved business practices into our local government.

What are some of the notable projects you've helped or spearheaded in the past? I was a founding member of the Snellville Farmers’ Market, along with Barbara Bender established and funded the Snellville Tourism and Trade Association and retained tax dollars in the city that were previously going to Gwinnett County’s convention bureau. The Snellville Spirit Magazine, the formation of the Economic Development Department, the development of the Towne Center plan adopted in 2011, the establishment of the Snellville Entrepreneur Council, the purchase of the very popular mobile stage, The Snellville community garden project where my wife, Carol, and I donated the entry arbor, the re-establishment of the Urban Redevelopment Authority to help redevelop blighted property within the City, the purchase of land on Wisteria to jumpstart our new Towne Center, and the Snellville Veterans’ Memorial.

What are some of the immediate projects you want to work on if you win the council seat? My most immediate project is the completion and dedication of the Snellville Veterans’ Memorial, which is scheduled to take place in November. I have recently begun implementing a plan to develop the passive park on Oak Road and have sidewalks installed from Hwy. 124 to Mountain View. The sidewalks will make the passive park a desirable destination by providing a safe way for citizens to walk to it, a feat that is impossible at present.
How would you accomplish them? I have had conversations with our county commissioner, Tommy Hunter, to understand what is necessary to have the sidewalks installed. Together with Tommy and other members of the commission we have devised a plan to get this, and other, sidewalk projects funded through the 2014 SPLOST. Although the cost of sidewalks is prohibitive, a partnership with the county will drastically reduce that cost and using SPLOST funds will take the burden off of the property owners. Sidewalks on Oak, Hwy. 78, and other thoroughfares will make Snellville a much more walkable community and increase safety for our school-age children.

What are some of your long-term goals for the city? Snellville’s towne center has to be a long-term goal on everyone’s list. The new traffic interchange at Hwy. 124 and Hwy. 78 is eminent. What our City will look like after that construction will determine the future of Snellville. We have a choice, either we incorporate our town center plan and the necessary infrastructure into that scenario or we will be left with whatever GDOT decides. It has been my experience that GDOT is all about moving traffic and not so much about how that movement effects the community.
How would you accomplish them? By being very pro-active with our merchants, our citizens and GDOT. Making sure that we are at the table during every major decision and that the decisions made are good for Snellville. Making sure our downtown merchants are prepared for the disruption caused by the construction and being able to offer them alternatives.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Snellville? I believe our City has several challenges beyond those mentioned. We need to understand what it takes to retain our youth in our community. How to adjust to the economic trends that keeps a city vibrant and attractive to new residents. Embrace our diversity and be inclusive on every level of our community. 
How would you approach them? We have a great basis already in place. Our police department is the envy of many communities; our crime rate is well below other cities in the County. We have come a long way in the last four years in providing a sense of community, but much more can be done. We need to continue our economic development initiatives until every store front is either occupied or redeveloped for a new purpose. Be inclusive, seek out and invite people to get involved in our City. We have a wonderful volunteer base but there is always room for more, and the more people that are involved the better our results. 

Do you want to add anything? This election is about Snellville and only Snellville. The past four years every decision I have made has been based on what was best for Snellville. I have never made a decision based on winning or losing, only on what is right or wrong. I believe the decisions I have made have improved the quality of life in Snellville and some of the actions have “stopped the bleeding” in relationship to property values. I think that there is a sense of pride in Snellville that was absent in 2009. I want to continue the trend of building our pride, bringing the community together, and continue the high level of services at the lowest possible tax rate. I hope that the citizens of the City of Snellville believe that the work I have done warrants their vote and that they grant me the opportunity to serve another four years as their City Councilman.