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How we can build a better city together!
I cannot do it alone, and I will need your support when I am mayor. So get involved. I will ask citizens to volunteer to form resident-led panels advising our city officials and city-sponsored committees.
We can improve our communication skills with city officials, employees, residents, and business owners. We can make doing business with the City more straightforward and more enjoyable.
We can save the remainder of our historic area and make it a place people want to visit.
Building a Better Powder Springs Together
Businesses
Get more direct involvement from the small, brick-and-mortar businesses to hear how the City can help them thrive.
I don’t think we do enough to support our small businesses. In my view, we have three types of firms: the big companies like Home Depot, Publix, and KFC. Then we have the small brick-and-mortar shops like Blades, the many State Farm businesses, and Skint Chestnut. Lastly, we have the home businesses like mine. I want to ensure we reach out to each of them to see what we (Powder Springs) can do to help them flourish.
Education
Work closely with the schools to help prevent overcrowding of the schools and the buses that take our most precious residents to and from school.
I am hearing from parents constantly talking about overcrowding in the classroom and kids having to stand on the bus while riding to school. Meanwhile, our city manager had someone who reportedly worked for the school district to state that there was no overcrowding. I would clear up the difference by digging into the matter to find the truth.
Infrastructure
We must confirm we have proper traffic studies that align with other nearby construction, unlike our current mayor, who wanted every traffic study conducted as a stand-alone study and not look at what impact nearby development might create.
Much construction occurs between Powder Springs, Cobb County, Austell, Hiram, Paulding, Mableton, and all the surrounding communities. The traffic studies need to include all surrounding construction, not studied with blinders on. Besides traffic patterns, we must ensure sufficient law enforcement and other city personnel to support the growth.
The City has approved building approximately 1,500 new family units, from apartments to single-family cluster homes. Do we have the infrastructure to support this growth?
Return your Taxes
The City raised the property tax to compensate for a $348k shortfall of an $18M budget. I want to return the money to the taxpayer.
Several years ago, the City voted to increase the millage rate as stated. A constituent said they should borrow the money from the city savings account, and the mayor indicated that you do not borrow money to make up such a deficit. That is precisely what a fiscally responsible leader would do; it was a short-term deficit, and the City should have either found a way to reduce the spending or borrowed the money from savings. Interestingly enough, a few months after they raised the tax rate, the city manager located an additional $1M. I want to reduce the pace over the first four years I am in the office back to where it was without lowering safety by one penny.
City Services
The City has raised its prices and eliminated some services. I want to restore as many services as we can. Under my leadership, we will keep all city services.
I want to work to restore our curbside recycling. We must do our part to help this planet; recycling is essential. While the City spent a lot of money to set up a recycling place, only some will take it there. Plus, their requirement for separating the materials is more than most people would be willing to do regularly. We can and should do better.
I want to ensure we get the best answers to the studies we have paid for rather than the desired solution. If there is one thing I learned in college, it is that studies, surveys, and research can and often are designed to give the results desired. I want honest studies to determine the best results, so our team can operate efficiently. I am glad we are increasing our Law Enforcement Officers by five over the next five years, along with five additional cars. Is that sufficient? How many do we need? I want to empower our City’s department directors to make their recommendations to the Council.
Mission Statement:
About Larry W. Thomas
Larry retired as a Captain from the U.S. Army in 2000 after almost 23 years of service. During his career, he was always looking for ways to save U.S. taxpayer’s money and to prevent fraud.
During his first eight years, he was an airplane mechanic and inspector with several Army Intelligence units. Based on his test scores, he was selected for duty with Army Intelligence before contracting with the Army. During this time, he began to learn about saving taxpayer money by finding innovative ways to reduce costs. He left active duty and entered the Army Reserve system in 1996 while attending college and being part of the Army ROTC program. He re-entered the Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1998, where he immediately positively impacted his unit’s readiness. He always operates within his given budget and finds ways to save money and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. During his final assignment, he managed the largest GSA fleet of vehicles in the Southeast and reduced costs by finding and stopping abuse and changing procedures to minimize vehicle damage.
This mission and vision statement encapsulates the mayoral candidate’s commitment to Powder Springs, emphasizing community empowerment, unity, inclusivity, and a vision for a brighter future for all residents.
Mission Statement:
“Our Mission is to Empower, Unite, and Transform Powder Springs for a Brighter Tomorrow.”
Vision Statement:
“We envision a vibrant Powder Springs where every resident’s voice is heard, their needs are met, and their dreams can flourish. Together, we will build a future defined by:
Community Empowerment:
We believe that the strength of Powder Springs lies in its people. We will empower residents to actively shape the City’s future actively, ensuring that their ideas, concerns, and aspirations are at the forefront of our decision-making.
Unity and Inclusivity
We are committed to fostering a sense of unity and belonging within our diverse community. We will work tirelessly to bridge gaps, break down barriers, and create an inclusive environment where every resident, regardless of background, can thrive.
Economic Prosperity:
We will promote economic growth that benefits all residents, attracting new businesses and creating job opportunities while supporting local enterprises. We aim to ensure that Powder Springs becomes a place where families prosper, and businesses thrive.
Education Excellence:
We will invest in our schools and educational programs, equipping our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. We envision a city where every child has access to a high-quality education.
Sustainable Development:
We are dedicated to responsible and sustainable development that preserves our natural environment, enhances the quality of life for residents, and ensures the long-term health of our community.
Public Safety:
We will prioritize the safety and well-being of our residents, working in partnership with law enforcement, community organizations, and stakeholders to create a secure and welcoming city.
Cultural Enrichment:
We will celebrate and promote the rich cultural diversity of Powder Springs, fostering an environment where the arts, culture, and heritage thrive.
Transparent Governance:
We are committed to open, accountable, and transparent governance, where residents have easy access to information, opportunities for input, and confidence in the decisions made on their behalf.
Health and Wellness:
We will promote health and wellness initiatives that ensure every resident has access to quality healthcare and recreational opportunities, leading to a healthier and happier community.
A Stronger Tomorrow:
We will work tirelessly to build a Powder Springs that is not just great today but even greater for generations to come. Our vision is a city where dreams take root and possibilities are endless.”
Let’s ensure every citizen is treated with respect and heard.
- Citizens quickly get answers to questions
- The City will service residents with the utmost respect
- I will ensure all the city employees are effective and have the highest customer service values possible.
I want to protect every resident and business’s rights.
- No resident or business singled out for special or bad treatment
- Work with residents or businesses to resolve issues
- Protect everyone’s 4th & 5th Amendment Rights
Change the perception to being extremely business-friendly.
- Ensure City decisions do not negatively impact businesses without first hosting meetings with business owners
- Work with new companies to improve success for all