Meet the Candidate: Pat Tanner

The slate of candidates for mayor and city council is complete. A total of nine people—four incumbents and five challengers—will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.

All of the — included—will face competiton. Doug Williams, 54, said he's running against Hobgood because "we need some changes.

"I think it's an interesting time. I'd like to get involved and see what I can do."

Williams is the chief executive officer of 23½ HR Locksmith Security Co., 571 Main St.

Ward I council member Pat Tanner also filed today, setting up a head-to-head race with , the Great Sky resident who hopes to unseat her.

All this week, candidates have submitted mini-bios to Canton-Sixes Patch. Tanner submitted hers this afternoon.

• Pat Tanner
  • Professional Background: "I retired in 2002 from the after 34 years of service. I began as a caseworker (eligibility/financial benefits and social services) and upon retirement, I had achieved supervisory status over numerous social service programs (adoption, foster care, adult and child protective services). During my years of service to the State of Georgia, Cherokee County and the City of Canton, I have chaired and/or served on numerous state and local boards and committees. I am currently serving on the Cherokee County Board of Health and the Cherokee Friends of Recovery Foundation. I am a member of the , a former board member and chairperson of the Canton Housing Authority, former board member of the , Cherokee County Boys and Girls Club, North Regional MHDDAD Planning Board. In 2005, I received the Jean Harris Award from the Rotary Club of Canton.
  • Government related experience: "After my retirement, I decided to run for the Canton City Council because I had the availability to contribute to my community in ways that I had not while employed. I ran in 2003 and began my political service to this city in 2004. I’ve been fully committed to my position as a city council member for the past eight years. In January 2011, I was awarded the Certificate of Excellence for completing over 120 hours of political training via the Georgia Municipal Association. I look forward to serving another four years if the citizens of Canton afford me the opportunity of returning to office."
  • Why you’re running for council/Your plan to move Canton forward: "As a lifelong resident of this city, I have dedicated the last eight years to serve my community by maintaining a position on the Canton City Council. I am running for re-election because there are still opportunities for economic growth and business development in our city.  If the citizens of Canton allow me the honor and privilege of serving another four years, I will continue to help maintain Canton’s reputation as an excellent place to live, work and play. I will concentrate my efforts on generating additional revenue streams for our city. As a city government, we need to be more proactive and promote Canton to the business communities within and outside of Georgia. We should not rely solely on others to do it for us. This city has excellent selling points to the business world: an Industrial Park, The Bluffs (a 700 acre mixed use development), Chattahoochee Technical College, a reservoir, high quality shopping, dining and residential areas, retail space, commercial land and a new regional hospital on the horizon. Canton has a bright future and it is my desire to continue my work with the council to help shape and improve the economic direction this city will take in the years to come."
  • Should Canton keep the Hickory Log Creek Reservoir: "The Council recently voted to adopt a memorandum of understanding which would further explore the selling of the city’s share in the reservoir. I voted in favor of this with the clear understanding that it in no way obligated this city to sell the reservoir. The reservoir is a great asset for this city and its future water needs. I realize it has a lot of debt service, but, water is a precious commodity. Many cities and states are looking to achieve what we already have—a reservoir. I will consider any deals brought to council with an open mind. Since the late 90s, this reservoir was a vision and dream of this city’s government and citizens.  Land was donated by city residents and much hard work and time went into making the dream a reality. If at all possible, I want the city to keep the reservoir as well as our water and sewage plants. My hope is that the city will be able to control the rates and fees we charge our citizens for water and sewage. These assessments should not be determined by what the city owes another entity. If we sell all the city’s revenue generating assets, we gut our revenue streams. Then we are left with nothing but property taxes and what will that lead to? If this deal is made and the reservoir is eliminated, there will be no turning back. As a council, we need to assure the citizens that we offered great consideration to all possibilities when making this decision and that we feel confident we have done what is in the best interest of the city. As Councilman Goodwin has suggested perhaps the citizens should have an opportunity to decide this one via the vote."
  • Campaign website: N/A

Click to learn more about four other candidates for mayor and city council, then stay tuned to canton-ga.patch.com for your Election 2011 updates.