Ricky Corley
Answers taken from Facebook
Family: Robbie Corley, wife, four children and nine grandchildren
Occupation: Co-owner of Corley’s Auto Service
Political experience: Served 12 years on the Newton County Board of Education with two years as chairman and three as vice chairman.
Education: Degree in computer and business from DeKalb Tech in 1986 and 1972 graduate of Newton High School.
Website: facebook.com/elect-ricky-corley-newton-county-board-of-commissioenrs-district-2
What are your goals if elected?
I am running for this position because of my commitment to better smaller government and the prosperity of Newton County. My goal is to make this county a better place to live, work and raise a family. While keeping an eye on the budget, making sure we get the most for our tax dollar. I will also stay focused on customer service, growth, economic development, public safety, gridlock at our intersections and protecting our natural resources.
What differentiates you from your opponents?
I will always keep the citizens at the center of focus. When I am elected I will be loyal to you not the government. I will be available to the people to discuss and solve rather than ignore county problems.
I will provide the kind of leadership District 2 needs and deserves with conservation values. I will be accessible and accountable.
Lanier Sims
Family: Bionca Sims wife Preston El-Jay Sims son
Occupation: Self-Employed (Dualdeko Marketing and Design and Southern Homes Unlimited)
Political experience: 4 Years Newton County BOC 2 years Newton County Zoning and Appeals Board, 2 Years Newton County Planning Commission
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
Website: laniersims.com
What are your goals if elected?
If re-elected I will continue to be the voice for the citizens. I will continue to work with our Economic Development team to recruit businesses and industry to move to our county. I will continue to fight for higher paying jobs for our community. Higher paying jobs equals better retail that we can recruit to move here such as restaurants and shopping. By recruiting both industry and retail this will go to support our tax base so we can 1) lower proper taxes, 2) give strengthen our public safety (Sheriff and Fire Departments), 3) strengthen our infrastructure (widen of Roads such as Salem) and 4) Enhance our Quality of life (Parks and Recreation, clean roads, and traffic congestion)
What differentiates you from your opponents?
To be honest I have not kept up with my opponent. I can only tell you what I can bring to the table. I have always been a public servant, I am a Military Veteran, I have a been a business owner for the last 18 years, I personally organized and fundraised over $75,000 for local non-profits including Newton County Miracle League, Covington Rotary Club, Washing Street Community Center, Newton County Arts Association, several little league baseball, football, basketball girls softball teams. I also mentor young men at Georgia Perimeter College. Also as a Commissioner I have undergone several trainings and certifications from the University of Georgia.
What do you believe are the problems in Newton County?
How do you believe you can solve these issues? First I believe one person cannot solve the problems in Newton County. I believe that first there need to be better communications between elected officials and also from elected officials and the citizens. We must keep the line of communication with the citizens to know what they really want from their local government. I believe this first must change before you tackle any hot issues like 2050 plan or Bear Creek and property taxes. What I have done in the past 4 years was to have town hall meetings, community bib’s, attend Home Owner Associations meetings and gatherings and recently added a website to keep people updated with what’s going on in the county. I believe the county as a whole needs more community outreach because a lot of the citizens don’t look at the local newspapers and that are not in tuned with the local news.
