Goals

I was asked recently what some of the goals I would like to accomplish while in office. Here is what I shared:

1) Bring job opportunities to Griffin. One of the major ways to improve the quality of life in Griffin is to provide good employment with good wages. That means attracting strong employers/businesses to our area.

2) Improve the City's relationship with the County. Ideally, we are all in this together. What is good for the future of Griffin often benefits Spalding County, and the reverse can be true as well. At some point, we have to be completely on the up and up on both sides, and lay aside our issues (whatever they are) for the better future of Griffin-Spalding and her citizens. The focus of both city and county commissioners must be on the better future of Griffin, not personal interests or favors, and serving our constituency with honor, integrity and enthusiasm.

3) See the Land Bank become more functional. Another aspect of improving the quality of life in our area is improving the neighborhoods in which we live. Purchasing properties upon which to make improvement, removing blighted properties, and demanding out of town owners to maintain quality living spaces is imperative. Hand in hand with this is preserving one of Griffin's great assets, her largely intact historic downtown. Continuing to bring business downtown brings people downtown, which begets more business.

4) Perhaps most importantly, to encourage our citizens to become involved. There are so many opportunities available for our citizens to volunteer their time and talents, to serve on local boards and committees, to have their voices heard and make an impact toward our positive future. It doesn't have to be running for an elected office; utilizing the public comments portion of the commission meetings is a prime way for the Board of Commissioners to hear what is on the minds of the people they represent. It is the time when we can make known our support for or disapproval of actions the Board is taking. Our citizen involvement is truly our greatest asset, and most untapped resource.

The bottom line is this: Dedicated Work toward a Positive Future. This is our hometown. It is the place my children call home and the place they will (or won't) return to when they are grown. I feel a responsibility to do my part to make Griffin the best she can be, as far as I am able. I believe as a candidate, and a commissioner, I can make a positive impact on that future. I am part of the demographic of Griffin. We are a family who works hard to make a living and a future for our family. When we moved here 13 years ago, it was because we chose this town. True- we don't have a family name or family money tied to the history of Griffin, but that comes with it's own benefits. My commitment, my focus, is for the best possible future for Griffin, with no strings attached. I am not, nor will I be, in anybody's pocket. Dedication, hard work (including thoroughly educating myself on the issues that come before me), enthusiasm, and pursuing a bright future for Griffin are my goals in this campaign.

I would love to offer anyone interested to help with the campaign. The biggest need right now is (of course) financial. The qualifying fee is $403.20. Yard signs are going to be upwards of $1000, should we decide to use them. Other products to help get my name out would be a terrific help. The biggest push for the campaign will be in August, September and early October, preparing for early voting and pushing through to election day. I have already purchased, with campaign contributions, a voting list for District 3. It is my plan and desire to visit each household personally during August, September, and October. I would value your help and input, particularly as the heart of election season draws closer. Please contact me at smh4Griffin@gmail.com for more information, questions, contributions, etc.

Blessings!
Shannon
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A Forgotten City

Planning and Development Director Frederick Gardener suggested I read the study report, Voices from Forgotten Cities: Innovative Revitalization Coalitions in America's Older Small Cities.

What an important piece! Although using examples from northern cities who were originally larger than Griffin, much of the report is extremely relevant to the current conditions in Griffin. It affected me greatly to read a summation of the challenges we face and where these challenges originated. It showed examples of creative thinking and outside-the-box visioneering so desperately needed in Griffin.

Although it is a LOT of information, and I will have to read it again to determine what exactly is useful toward helping Griffin seek a Positive Future, it left me with a few distinct impressions:

1--I have always been appreciative of Griffin's distinguished past. We are a city of many firsts. We were once a thriving mill town with a solid work force and stable neighborhoods that grew around those mills. The reality of today is we are no longer a mill town. The mills are gone but the mill town mentality is not. We absolutely must honor, recognize and learn from our rich history, the past, and the past generations who once made Griffin a thriving small town. Although those past glory days are a noble and necessary foundation, those ways are likely not the composition of a thriving future. We--citizens from all corners of our community--must determine a viable, achievable and exciting future for ourselves.

2--Citizen involvement is another absolute must. This is our town. This is our children's hometown. For some of us, this is likely our lifelong residence. We must be willing to invest our time, talents and abilities to pursuing our Positive Future. It is worth it. The one with the deepest pockets, longest bloodline or largest influence is not always the one with the best plan, direction or idea for a vibrant future. It takes all of us, from all walks of life, to be willing to invest of ourselves (not necessarily monetarily, although monetary investment is a given requirement) in order to reap the benefits of that investment in the future.

3--We must recognize and capitalize on our existing assets. Our citizens are by far our most valuable asset. We must intentionally seek to tap into the untold depth of resources our citizens possess in the form of talent, experience, abilities, education, and desire for a Positive Future. We must recognize and capitalize on our existing physical assets, like Griffin Tech and UGA-Griffin, our medical-related industry, our beautiful historic downtown, and our available real estate space to attract new business and industry. We must recognize and capitalize on our existing geographical assets, like our close proximity to major cities, state parks, and transportation (both existing {I-75, 19/41} and potential {commuter rail}). These assets are already here, waiting for creative and forward-thinking people to bring them to life and utilize them for the thriving town we desire.

4--The very least we can do is cultivate a positive outlook on our own city. We must overcome our natural inclination to see and talk about the negative aspects. We must adopt a new, hopeful, encouraging, positive perception of our city, and then intentionally share that perception at every opportunity. There is a saying that goes something like--Perception is 9/10's of reality. In order to realize a Positive Future, we must do everything we can to propagate a positive perception of Griffin.

The vast majority of the citizens of the City of Griffin are good, hard working people, striving to make a decent living and family life for themselves. It is the responsibility of our elected officials and city staff to recognize our most valuable asset--our citizens--and determine sensible, achievable ways to meet their needs and attract others to share in our way of life.

It is my desire to serve the citizens of City Commission District 3, along with the citizens of the entire city, in that exact capacity.

Blessings!
Shannon
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