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Returned native to run for Porterdale council
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Darlene Savage remembers the heyday of Porterdale, and like so many, she hopes to move the city back in that direction.

Savage, 48, was born and raised in Porterdale and, after moving to Rockdale County for a more than two decades, returned to her hometown in 2006.

"I've been back in Porterdale long enough to see the growth and changes going on. I'd like to be part of revitalizing Porterdale, helping it to grow into more of a community," Savage said this week. "I can't turn back the hands of time and bring the past back, but I remember the closeness of the community and would like to establish that type of feel."

She has not yet decided whether to run for Post 1 council seat, held by Robert Foxworth, or the Post 2 seat, held by Linda Finger.

Savage has worked in customer service for the past five years with Channel Velocity, a Chicago-based company that helps sell excess inventory on the internet.
Prior to working with Channel Velocity, she did not work for a few years, but was previously employed for 15 years with Conyers-based manufacturer Maxell. She held various production line and warehouse positions

"I would like to see businesses brought back into the town, businesses that will benefit the townspeople and outsiders. I would like to see a grocery store, something that would greatly benefit the people of Porterdale and also those in the near radius of Porterdale," Savage said.

"I would like to work with the police department, because I feel the security is very important in Porterdale. I will work with them to ensure the people that our police department is capable of handling any issue that may arise in town."

Savage graduated from then Newton County Comprehensive High School in 1980.

She volunteers in the kitchen of the Garden of Gethsemane Homeless Shelter and also attends Rainbow Covenant Ministries church in Porterdale.

She has two sons, Scott Autry, 29, and Marcus Autry, 22.

Eric Russell announces candidacy for Porterdale City Council Post 1
Eric Russell
Eric Russell - photo by Special Photo

PORTERDALE, Ga. – Eric Russell, resident of Porterdale, officially declared his candidacy for the position of Post 1 with the city council of Porterdale.  He and his wife moved to Porterdale and purchased one of the mill houses within Porterdale’s Historic District in 2022. He stated, “We loved the charm and character of not only the houses, but also the history behind what Porterdale had been, along with the possibility of what the village could become.

I retired from law enforcement after 27 years and have always felt called toward public service.  I saw running for city council as a way to continue that service in the community, albeit in a much different role.”  Russell had begun a career in law enforcement in 1988 and had served in numerous areas within the Wichita Falls Police Department in Texas, including being a Crimes Against Persons detective as well as being promoted through the ranks of the department until retiring in 2015 as the Captain over the Patrol Division.

“I had been tasked with the implementation of the in-car computer system for the department prior to retirement and am proud of having successfully helped bring that department into the modern age of policing through the use of a computerized dispatching and report writing system.”  Russell also said, “I feel I have skills within the area of long term logistical planning that can be beneficial for the village of Porterdale in order to help continue to move toward a future that will reflect growth as well as keeping the nuances of the past that were formed by having the mill here in the community.”  

Russell stated that his vision would be to promote progress, preservation and prosperity here within the village while maintaining a sound fiscal position. 

“I have talked to many people and asked a lot of questions especially given the past legacies of the village.  I have attended almost every council meeting, including the annual planning retreat in order to become aware of as much information as possible before deciding to run for a council post.  I believe that civic duty calls for dedication and the donation of personal time in order to make a difference in people’s lives.”