Promises made...promises kept
Economic Development- Secured $4.5 billion in Douglas County’s Economic Development pipeline. Secured the single largest capital economic investment in Georgia’s history valued at $2.5 billion dollars. Participated with and partially funded five year strategic plan rolled out by Douglas County Economic Development Authority. Funded incubator/accelerator study for Douglas County. Advanced workforce development and increased job opportunities for Douglas County residents to secure employment at numerous businesses located in Douglas County. Launched 15 year milestone inter-modal transportation system in Douglas County. Partnered with Douglas County Chamber of Commerce to provide resources to support the needs of small businesses. Endorsed Habitat for Humanity to build eight Veteran homes in Douglas County. Fostered smart growth with strict regulated building codes for newly built hotels, residential housing, and retail establishments located in the county. Minimized the tradition of warehouses and secured prosperous economic development projects to include data centers, manufacturing centers, and expansion of existing prestigious companies bringing over 1,000 plus jobs to Douglas County.
Technology- Funded first ever on-line employment application process in Douglas County Government’s history. Funded and advanced 21stcentury computer upgrades, security measures, wifi and telephone system upgrades in county government. Funded new state of the art user friendly county government website currently under construction. Advanced virtual technology, activated social media response team and launched intensive COVID-19 communication measures to educate and protect the safety of Douglas County citizens. Secured on-line Insta-Cart grocery shopping with door step delivery services for Douglas County citizens.
Special Projects- Funded the first ever comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative in Douglas County government’s history resulting in significant cost savings. Developed and instituted first ever official customer service initiative in Douglas County government. Created Commissioner led committees to include Purchasing Oversight, FIRE/EMS, Public Safety, Transportation, Residential/ Housing Oversight, Parks and Recreation. Propelled Disadvantaged Business Enterprise certification to leverage fair and equitable opportunities for minority and women owned companies aspiring to do business with Douglas County government. Successfully collaborated with community stakeholders and government entities to address and revamp 20 year old pipe farm subdivisions located through-out Douglas County removing blight. Funded and completed Lee Road Master Plan to propel future growth and development in Lithia Springs. Successfully secured perspective funding from Georgia Department of Transportation to rejuvenate the $22 million Lee Road widening and expansion project which will establish an east/ west connector corridor starting from Lee Road to Chapel Hill to improve traffic flow in Douglas County. Funded new state of art Tax and Tag, Tax Assessor’s, Geographical Information Services Government Building and Fleet Services facilities. Actively partnering with Douglas County State Legislative Officials to secure state of art Driver’s Services Center for Douglas County.
Public Safety- Advanced purchasing of long overdue E-911 public radio system with SPLOST funds vastly improving communication for first responders. Allocated funding for hiring additional Sheriff Deputies, purchasing new Sheriff Cars, computer technology upgrades and other equipment required to facilitate safety for Douglas County citizens. Funded long overdue Court House Security Renovation Project. Allocated funding for hiring additional Fire Fighter/Paramedic positions, EMS ambulances, fire trucks/engine aerial ladder truck, fire station computer upgrades and renovation of Fire Station #3. Secured Fire Department and E-911 3/3x ISO rating after holding a 4/4x since the 1980’s.
Public Health-Mental Health Secured a COVID-19 Testing site for Douglas County through Cobb/Douglas Public Health Department. This COVID-19 drive through testing site is one of the first 39 testing centers in the State of Georgia. Advanced funding to address homeless transitional housing, mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities in Douglas County. Secured state of the art out-patient facility for Douglas County Community Services Board to provide quality behavioral health services for the citizens of Douglas County. Participated in the certificate of need process to secure new state of the art Maternal and Neonatal Services at Wellstar Douglas Hospital.
Beautification/Roads/Street Lights/ Sidewalk Projects- Secured first ever official Keep Douglas County Beautiful Certification under Keep America Beautiful program. Advanced Douglas County from bronze to silver status for Atlanta Regional Commission’s green communities. Spear headed acquisition of gateway signage for I-20 Thornton Road and Liberty Road entry points currently in production. Initiated forthcoming landscaping projects for Thornton, Lee, Post Road and Liberty Road. Executed SPLOST funding to address safety lighting needed for dark roads and intersections through-out all four Commission Districts including lighting for I-20 entrance and exit ramps. (This massive lighting project is approved and currently underway). Collaborated with Georgia Department of Transportation officials and propelled the movement of major state road projects i.e., 92 highway construction project, resurfacing of Interstate-20 east and west bound and repair of six major bridges underway in Douglas County. Facilitated the resurfacing of Lee Road after 40 years on the books. Secured badly needed traffic light at Mount Vernon and 92 intersection and traffic light underway for 92 and Riverside intersection. Funded long overdue rating of Douglas County roads and funded most robust resurfacing of roads in a three year span in Douglas County’s history. There are multiple intersection improvements and sidewalk projects underway in Douglas County.
Seniors and Youth- Expanded senior voucher program and secured increased funding to provide congregate meals and meals on wheels for the Senior Citizens of Douglas County. Hosted first ever Senior Citizen Health Fair in Douglas County government. Hosted first ever televised birthday celebrations for Seniors. Funded long overdue carpet replacement at Woodie Fite Senior Center including painting of walls in the entire facility. Funded replacement of long overdue painting of walls and replacement of mini-blinds throughout Senior Services building located on Fairburn Road. Funded long overdue carpet replacement and roof replacement at Lithia Springs Library. Funded renovation of bathrooms and roof replacement at Douglas County Library located on Selman Drive. Funded long overdue replacement of aging boiler at Boundary Waters Aquatic Center. Started first ever Youth Commission Program in Douglas County. Developed curriculum and hosted first ever Summer Internship providing future young leaders with opportunities to learn about County Governments through Board of Commissioners lens. Funded SPLOST projects currently under construction to include; Senior Center in Lithia Springs, multipurpose recreation center at Boundary Waters, new tennis courts at Deer Lick Park, new press boxes, concession stands and bathrooms under construction at Fair Play and Bill Arp Parks and new roof underway for Deer Lick gymnasium. Funded Baseball field lights for Fair Play Park and allocated funding to replace playground equipment at Fair Play and Bill Arp Parks in 2020 budget. Secured first ever Child Advocacy Center in Douglas County. Secured the largest SAMSA Grant in the amount of $1 million dollars in Juvenile Services history through External Affairs Department. Elevated youth and senior public engagement including arts culture and humanities in Douglas County.
