By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
Editor’s note: The Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted questions to each candidate running for city offices in the Nov. 2 election.
The questions were: 1. Please provide information about your background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family. 2. What qualities and/or qualifications do you feel will serve you best in the position you seek? 3. What are your plans if you are elected to the position? 4. Carnesville is becoming a popular location for new subdivisions and possible industrial growth. What should the city do to prepare and manage that growth? 5. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in Carnesville, what would you say to secure his or her vote?
Candidates were welcomed to respond to the questions any way they wished.
Their answers were then used to write the profile stories below.
Mike Barrett
Mike Barrett has spent his adult life in either public service or the business world.
The years in both will serve him well as a Carnesville City Councilmember, he said.
“I feel I have a wide array of experience in both public service and business operations,” he said. “I consider myself to be an open minded and problem solving individual. I enjoy striving to make a difference through community interaction.”
Barrett, who previously served four consecutive terms on the council, is seeking a return.
During those terms, Barrett earned about 240 education credit hours from the Georgia Municipal Association.
The councils he served on previously were “cohesive and successful,” he said.
“During my terms, we planned and accomplished the major city developments that continue to be enjoyed by the community today,” Barrett said.
A 1978 graduate of Commerce High School, Barrrett graduated from Brenau University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and Business.
He retired in 2016 after 28 years with the Georgia State Patrol’s Motor Carrier Compliance Division.
Barrett also served for nine years as a Franklin County Sheriff’s deputy.
A resident of Carnesville for 21 years, Barrett said he’s been involved in numerous community fundraisers to assist individuals with personal or medical needs.
He is a member of Hebron Masonic Lodge #564 and Yaarab Shriners International.
Barrett and wife Cynthia have four grown children and own B&B Tire Store and The Hair Station, both in Carnesville.
“We each have a vested interest in the future growth of our hometown and community,” he said.
Barrett is a member of Sunshine Methodist Church in Toccoa.
Carnesville is in a pivotal position for future growth and development, Barrett said.
“I feel it is important to pursue sustainable growth,” he said. “I also feel it is important to evaluate the financial impact of decision making in terms of how local residents are affected.”
Busines development will be a focus for Barrett, he said.
“If elected, I will continue to promote renovations and further business development within the city limits,” the candidate said. “I feel it is important to focus on creditable housing and industry as decisions are made. I would also like to promote maximizing development of restaurants and businesses at each of our interstate access locations.”
Barrett said he wants to be approachable to voters.
“If elected, I will strive to maintain open and honest communication,” he said. “I also feel it is of utmost importance to consistently seek citizens’ input. I pledge to serve as a representative voice for the citizens that elect me to office. I will be available to communicate with individuals regarding suggestions, needs or concerns. It is of utmost importance to me to remain focused on what is best for the future of the city of Carnesville.”
Wesley Dove
For the past four years, Wesley Dove said he has worked to be honest, sincere and to serve the citizens of Carnesville to the best of his ability.
Dove is seeking reelection to the Carnesville City Council and pledges that if voters choose to keep him on the board, he will do those same things again for four more years.
“I will be honest and straightforward, I am there to serve them,” Dove said he would tell voters. “I am a voice for them and their best interests for now and most of all for future generations.”
Dove is a graduate of Franklin County High School and earned a degree in CNC technology from North Georgia Technical College.
He has pastored a local church for 20 years.
He and wife Elaine Morgan Dove have been married for 26 years. They have one son, Tyler, who is married to Audrey McQueen Dove, who lives in Carnesville.
Dove said his experience on the council during the last four years will serve him best.
He also earned a certificate of recognition from the Georgia Municipal Association.
In order to help Carnesville prepare for growth, Dove said that he wants to ensure that the city’s water and sewage systems are able to accommodate growth and to make sure that high standards are held and all ordinances are followed.
Angie Smith
A Carnesville city councilmember is “... empowered to make policy decisions and to approve ordinances, resolutions, and other local legislation to govern the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the city’s residents.”
Angie Smith said when she thinks of those duties, she believes she has several qualities that will serve her well as a council member.
Smith is running for one of two seats up for election this year on the Carnesville council.
“Through my many years of store management and coaching children/teen sports, I learned how to be a relationship builder and team player,” she said. “In addition, I have developed a great talent for multitasking by always having multiple things going on and working multiple jobs at once. In short, my work history and community involvement has allowed me to become a great multitasker, critical thinker and hard worker. I am trustworthy, honest, easy to talk to and have been told I’m a great listener. I think it goes without saying, I love being around people and having a position on the city council will allow me to do more of what I love while supporting our community.”
Born and raised in Franklin County, Smith graduated from Franklin County High School in 1993.
By the age of 18, Smith had worked her way up to store manager at Family Dollar and later managed several locations including those in Lavonia, Toccoa and Commerce.
She left Family Dollar in 2000, after being robbed at gunpoint on Christmas Eve to become manager at Movie Gallery.
While there, she began substitute teaching as a way to become more involved in the school system, since she had kids in Franklin County Schools.
“After subbing for a few months, I was offered a full time paraprofessional position in a special education classroom at Lavonia Elementary,” she said.
She continued to work nights and weekends as manager at Movie Gallery while also coaching soccer and basketball at the Franklin County Recreation Department.
During summers, she worked at Connections for Special Parents in Royston.
Smith has also done private respite care for families with loved ones with special needs.
“Currently, I'm still working for the Franklin County Board of Education as a special education paraprofessional and as a soccer coach at Franklin County High School, and a shift manager at Piggly Wiggly.”
Smith attends Canon Baptist Church, where she is involved in the Sunday nursery.
She has two children, Justin Russell and Kayla Russell, and a granddaughter, Kaylani Combs.
If elected, Smith said she wants to focus first on the positives in the Carnesville community.
“Our community has made great strides to accommodate the youth by providing a free park, splash pad and hosting free/low-cost events throughout the year,” she said. “I plan to continue focusing on the youth and find ways for the community to support the school system.”
In order to deal with growth in Carnesville, Smith said the city should be proactive instead of reactive.
“Look at other communities that have experienced the same kind of growth, gain an understanding of the demographic population being attracted to the city of Carnesville and meet the demands of that population,” she said.
To persuade voters, Smith said she would tell each voter why she’s running.
“If you have time to complain about what is going on around you, then why not be part of the solution?” she said. “So I would like the chance to serve them and do my best at it.”
Those who know her knows she gives 100 percent in everything she does, she said.
“Plus it would be an honor to be given the chance to help our wonderful town grow and help make it possible for people to be able to live and work here if they so choose,” Smith said. “Carnesville has lots to offer and I want to help continue to improve our town.”