Lorin's responses to the Gwinnett Daily Post candidate questions

The Gwinnett Daily Post gave the candidates in the race for the Winder City Council At Large seat the opportunity to answer several questions. Our responses will be in tomorrow's paper, 10/31. The paper will also have a special voter's section this Sunday, 11/3.
Here's what I said:

What is your political philosophy and how will it drive your role in office?

I’ve lived and worked in this community for the past 24 years. Winder has been good to me and my family and now it is time for me to give back. I offer a new voice, a fresh perspective and a level of enthusiasm and energy that will benefit our city at this time. Winder faces many challenges and the same view points and action plans that have not worked well in the past are still not working. It is time for some change.

This is not so much about politics as it is about service – service to the citizens of Winder. There is a history of decisions being made at committee meetings and work sessions without the citizens having opportunity for input. (Yes, citizens could attend committee meetings and work sessions, but that is an unrealistic expectation. The council needs to meet the citizens where they are, which is in the regularly scheduled meetings, rather than expect the citizens to meet them at various sub-meetings.) I pledge to listen to and be responsive to the citizens of Winder and do my best to keep them informed on upcoming council decisions which will affect them.

There are times, especially during times of change, when the “old ways” are no longer solving the problems - times when creative compromise is needed. During those times leadership is also important. I have the ability to lead and the willingness to creatively compromise that can help get Winder back on the path to being the city it once was and still could be.       

In terms of age, outlook, experience, wisdom and perspective, I am midway between the incumbent and the other challenger. I believe the new ideas, creative vision, increased energy and vitality I can offer to the council are just what Winder needs right now.

I offer these things from the perspective of long term resident who is deeply vested in this community. I’ve been an involved contributor in Winder for a long time. As a councilman, I will work to face current and future challenges in ways that may not have been considered in the past. My pledge is to listen…think…respect…and serve the citizens of Winder in an open-minded, approachable way, and with humility. I have a servant’s heart and the ability to lead. Winder needs these things at this time.

Reporting for two local newspapers over a nine year period gave me a solid understanding of the “ins and outs” of not only our governing bodies, but also our schools, civic clubs, service organizations and the things that concern citizens.

We live in a home in Winder’s historic district that was condemned when we bought it. Restoring and maintaining it has not been easy or inexpensive. We have a stake in Winder’s history and preservation of that is important to me.

Volunteering, initially in my children’s schools, later as a student mentor, and currently in animal rescue work, efforts to feed the hungry and events to support historic preservation, has introduced me to a wide range of people who care about Winder and have ideas and energy to offer. As a city councilman, I pledge to listen to those ideas, discuss them and bring them into the light.

I am tired of hearing things like “nothing ever changes in Winder,” or “it’s not who you are, but who you know.” Those perceptions need to change, which means changes have to be made. Now is the time to begin making those changes and I look forward to the opportunity to begin putting  the wheels of change in motion.    

Name your top goal or issue you want to tackle.

There is no top goal or single issue to tackle in Winder. Our city faces many challenges. The obvious ones are:

Traffic – we need to address downtown congestion, neighborhood spill-over and the need for a bypass.

Make Winder a more attractive, “livable” city – this means fair and equal code enforcement; seeking grant funding for more parks, open space, sidewalks, walking and bike trails, connecting the parks we already have and making them more obvious and accessible.

Work to attract retirees – Winder offers good access to health care, low property prices and taxes, proximity to recreation and metro areas. Retirees are good for an economy. They spend money, tend to be active in the community and don’t burden the school system. They could provide the “tipping point” Winder needs to support the kinds of business that could bring renewed life to downtown.