DALTON —
Clyde Williams II says it’s high time the working class in Varnell has a voice in city government.
“I’d like to see a working man on the (city) council,” said Williams, who has worked for Whaley Towing in Dalton just over a year after being laid off from the Whitfield County Parks and Recreation Department. “I don’t feel like blue collar people are getting represented. I just want some representation for those of us who don’t have a lot of money.”
Williams, 31, faces Jaramie Bickford, Sheldon Fowler and Allan Pippin for Seat 3 on the City Council in the nonpartisan special election on July 20. Former councilman Thomas Burnett resigned after moving out of the city. The City Council seats are citywide seats. The unexpired term ends in 2011.
A Varnell resident for eight years, Williams, said he has lived all his life in Whitfield County. He graduated from Northwest Whitfield High School in 1997. He and his wife, Bridget, have two children, Morgan Faith, 13, and Tray, 4.
“I’ve worked for the city and volunteered for the city on the (Varnell) spring restoration project,” he said. “The issues as I see them are that we need to get spending under control — we’re spending more out than we’re taking in. And I want to see the city become what I know it can be. It’s a good city, but I think it can become a great city.”
Asked for instances of overspending, Williams said he has “not been able to look at the books, me being an outside citizen,” but cited a new garbage truck and garbage cans.
“I’ve seen and been told we’re in a negative up there,” he said of City Hall. “I know progress is needed, but you have to do it in such a way it doesn’t put you in the hole. Five people lost their weekend jobs when they changed over the trash service — I hated it impacted those families.”
Williams said he is not looking for plaudits for himself.
“I’m not in this to make a name for myself. I don’t care if anyone remembers who Clyde was, just that it was better after I was done — that’s why I volunteered in the first place,” he said.
Election
Candidate profile: Williams wants ‘blue collar’ representative on Varnell council
- Local Election News
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Qualifying for local, state candidates finished
Qualifying for local and state elections ended Friday at noon.
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And they’re off
Qualifying for local elections got off to a busy start on Wednesday.
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Former Sheriff Stafford running for office again
Former Whitfield County sheriff James E. “Jim” Stafford says he will be a candidate for sheriff this year.
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Qualifying starts Wednesday in Whitfield, Murray
Whitfield and Murray County voters will find out officially this week who will be running for local offices. Qualifying for the July 31 general primary starts Wednesday in both counties and will conclude Friday.
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Miller joins field running for county clerk of Superior Court
Susan Miller says she will run for the Whitfield County clerk of Superior Court this year as a Republican. Miller was defeated four years ago by Republican Melica Kendrick when Miller ran as a Democrat.
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Qualifying for local, state candidates finished
- State Election News
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Qualifying opens next week for state offices
Political and non-partisan candidates hoping to get elected this year will be qualifying next week.
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State Sen. George Hooks won’t seek another term
State Sen. George Hooks will not seek a 17th term in the Georgia legislature.
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APNewsBreak: Chamber to run congressional ads
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is launching ads in Florida, Missouri, Hawaii and Ohio as Democrats struggle to hold Senate seats and their slim majority. The Republican-friendly lobbying group is also targeting 17 House races from New York to Minnesota.
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Newt Gingrich wins Georgia Republican primary
ATLANTA (AP) — Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich claimed a decisive victory in the Georgia Republican primary Tuesday, a desperately needed win in his former home state as he looks to make another comeback in the GOP presidential race.
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Ga. officials align with GOP candidates
The Republican speaker of Georgia’s House of Representatives laughed when asked if he had endorsed any GOP candidates for president.
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“Thank God, no,” House Speaker David Ralston said.
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Qualifying opens next week for state offices
- National Election News
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THE RACE: Obama, Romney working to stay on message
President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney are being buffeted by crosswinds as Obama fights to keep his job and Romney works to wrest it from him. Both know where they want to go, but getting there is something else.
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Romney, GOP guvs have differing takes on economy
In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell runs TV ads hailing the state’s business growth. Ohio Gov. John Kasich tells anyone who will listen that 100,000 jobs have been created or retained on his watch. And Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder promotes a state budget that’s on solid ground for the first time in a decade.
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Third party group gives up seeking a candidate
A private organization established to run a third-party candidate in this year’s presidential elections has thrown in the towel, saying no one mustered sufficient support for such an effort.
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Shift on marriage energizes immigration activists
President Barack Obama’s shift to support gay marriage is energizing young Hispanic voters who have been working side-by-side with gay activists in their push for immigration reform. The alliance has been growing nationwide and helping dispel what many say is an outdated notion that Hispanics are less tolerant of gays than the general public.
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Ads highlight cozy campaign-super PAC relationship
Looks like President Barack Obama’s allies got the hint.
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THE RACE: Obama, Romney working to stay on message
