Michael Syphoe announced, Monday, his candidacy for Chair of the Newton County Board of Commissioners.
Syphoe, running on the slogan “Let’s make it happen together,” serves on the boards of the Washington Street Community Center and Covington Redevelopment Authority.

“Let’s be the team that reignites the economy of Newton County and implement sustainable work force development initiatives,” Syphoe said. “Let’s be the team to tackle the landfill issues and develop solutions to address the troublesome infrastructure problems in our communities. Let’s take advantage of our world class business investments and develop a competitive brand that can produce unlimited opportunities for our children and grandchildren in the future.”

He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Kentucky State University in Political Science and Economics and a Master of City Planning degree from Georgia Tech.

Currently, he provides consulting services to municipalities, developers and investors throughout the southeast. His professional focus includes developing sustainable economic development strategies, project implementation, real estate finance and consensus building.

“I am a visionary urban planner with over 25 years of experience in community and economic development,” Syphoe said. The challenges we face today are clearly not the result of system failure. It is clearly the inability of our leaders to establish realistic goals and sustainable growth strategies.”

Syphoe attends Graves Chapel AME Church with his wife, of 30 years, Audrey and two children.

“If I am elected, I shall regard my election as proof that the people of Newton County have decided to set a new agenda. This announcement is just the start of a movement to change the political culture in Newton County.

“I challenge all citizens to focus on the issues.”