Wanda Cummings (incumbent)
1. When and why did you move to Newton County?
1b. (If you were born in Newton County, why have you stayed all these years?)
In 1958, my family moved here. I’ve lived in Newborn since 1983. We had a house fire on Highway 36 and moved here and lovingly and laboriously restored (still in process) our historic home. I love Newton County because it is my home and I have so many memories and treasured friends here.
2. Please list the names of your spouse and children.
Jasper Cummings, spouse, Scott, Shawne and Ryan
3. Please list your educational background.
Newton County High School graduate 1965; various business studies
4. Please describe your professional background.
I have been in accounting as a: purchasing agent; executive assistant and sales associate. I also substitute teach and am self employed, but mostly am mother and wife. My family has always been number one, and I stayed home with my children until they were older.
5. Please describe your community/non-profit/public service background.
Worked on council in Newborn as mayor and council person; various committees for comprehensive plan; work with teens in my church; also teach senior high girls reach class at Shiloh Church.
6. What is the most important issue facing your city?
At this moment, I think it would be a continuation of community spirit on the intangible level. On the tangible level, it is finding funds to repair and maintain our historical buildings.
7. If elected, what are your goals for office?
To maintain home town feel while growing and to promote the small community feeling where everyone will work together in spite of differences of opinion. I would like to see more small shops open here in town. This would be a help to our citizens both in shopping convenience and in tax revenues. How fun would it be to see our town thriving with these businesses as it did in its early years! Of course, I do want to see it done in a historically correct manner. Everyone enjoys small towns presented with respect to our heritage.
Martha Ellwanger
1. When and why did you move to Newton County?
I moved to Newborn in 2001. My son, Gregg and family had moved to Newborn (escaping Atlanta) after researching Newton County and the schools. They liked what they saw and thought I’d like it too.
I had been living on Cape Cod, caring for my elderly father, and when he passed away, I was looking at various places in Georgia to be close to family. Moving to Newborn was a good decision. I love the town.
2. Please list the names of your spouse and children.
I am the window of James F. Ellwanger and have three sons: Bill, David and Gregg. Bill lives in Arizona, David in Flowery Branch, Ga. and Gregg, wife Denise and sons Drew, Robbie and Joey, in Newborn.
3. Please list your educational background.
Attended Westhampton College in Richmond, Va.
4. Please describe your professional background.
I taught elementary school in Virginia and entered the insurance business with Prudential in Atlanta in 1978. I started my own insurance brokerage agency in Atlanta in 1983. I closed the agency when I moved to Cape Cod to care for my father in 1988.
5. Please describe your community/non-profit/public service background.
I have always wanted to serve the communities I’ve lived in. I’ve been a volunteer for Red Cross, Meals-on-Wheels, Hospice, Senior Olympics and grade school reading programs.
6. What is the most important issue facing your city?
The renovation of the Old Schoolhouse so it can be opened once again for public functions.
7. If elected, what are your goals for office?
Rebuild a volunteer base; encourage participation in a more open town government; the renovation of the Old Schoolhouse; make main street more attractive; and plan for a future town park.
