Maurice Carter has announced that he will seek election to the East Ward Post 1 City Council seat, running against incumbent Councilman Chris Smith, who is seeking re-election.

Carter announced his candidacy for Covington City Council Thursday in a news release that stated that he would qualify on Aug. 26 to run.

He said he has criticized his East Ward representatives lately for a lack of vision and thoughtful leadership, but has now decided to seek election.

"As a citizen, I have that right to speak out when results are not meeting expectations. But, I also have an obligation to accept the responsibility of stewardship myself," he said in the release. "That’s why I am stepping forward to serve."

Carter, 53, has worked as a business and information technology consultant in the banking and computing fields for 31 years. For the last 17 years, he has been employed with IBM.

The DeKalb County native graduated from Peachtree High School in 1977 and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Georgia State University in 1981.

Carter, whose wife Kim previously served as Covington’s mayor from 2008-2011, said he is an active volunteer in Newton County.

He currently serves on the Newton Trails board and previously served as the boards’ Chairman. He also serves as a board member for Smart Growth Newton County and the Tourism Committee of the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce.

Carter said he also has served as a board member for the Washington Street Community Center for four years and is past president of the Covington Conyers Cycling Club.

Carter said he feels too little is being done by current council members to grow the city’s economic base, to improve quality-of- life opportunities for residents and to ensure a sustainable future.

"Reactive decisions and inconsistent actions without a clear plan are undermining progress and causing uncertainty about our future," he said. "We deserve better, and these times demand more."

He pointed to the recent sign ordinance changes that he called "ill-conceived," and the "poorly managed" process to replace retiring City Manager Steve Horton as examples.

Carter said his platform is to "get back to the basics of responsible leadership."

If elected, Carter said he would actively listen to all viewpoints and make informed choices by seeking information and building professional relationships as a council member.

"Good decisions flow from understanding our shared community vision, having clear strategies for achieving that vision, and making timely, thoughtful choices with clear intent," he said.