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Five men vie for three seats in Loganville... |
LOGANVILLE — They range in age from 23 to 62, work as attorneys,barbers, managers and policemen. But the five men vying for three spotson Loganville's City Council all have one thing in common: They want tomake a difference in the city they call home.
Candidates Jerry Price and Pedro Vega have both spent decades as policeofficers. They both cited their experiences in law enforcement asassets to help them if they are elected. Vega has made “teamwork” thehallmark of his campaign.
Safety is a primary concern for all of the candidates. Price and Vegaboth say they want to use their experience to make the fire and policedepartments function more effectively. Finishing the fire station onthe Gwinnett County side of the city is a top priority.
The election will pit Price against candidate Jonathan Melton, a23-year-old barber, Price and another officer stopped less than threeyears ago for driving under the influence.
Since then, Melton said he has become more involved with the communityby becoming active in the American Legion and the Lion's Club, andlecturing at local schools.
Austin Owen Jones, a practicing attorney in Loganville, sees theelection as a way of giving back to the town where he was born andraised.
Incumbent Wendell Geiger has been on the City Council for 12 years, sixof them as vice-mayor. His initiatives include working with the stateDepartment of Transportation on traffic issues, developing a plan tosecure a long-term water supply and improve the city's aginginfrastructure.
“I have worked hard for the residents of Loganville for 12 years. Iunderstand the challenges that Loganville is faced with and have theknowledge and experience to help the city move forward in a positiveway,” Geiger said.
The city of Loganville will also have on its ballot a referendum todetermine if establishments can sell liquor by the drink. Currently thecity only allows the sale of beer and wine.
It isn't the first time the liquor by the drink issue has appeared onthe ballot. It's always been a very close vote. It was defeated by 27votes in 1995 and only 11 votes in 1997. In both elections, less than25 percent of registered voters took part in the election. This year,the outcome of the referendum may depend largely on voter turnout.
There are approximately 3,500 registered voters in Loganville. DeputyCity Clerk Kristi Ash said she expects turnout to exceed the usual 10percent of registered voters because the referendum is on the ballot.
Residents will be able to vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Rock Gym at 175 Main St. in Loganville.
Family: married to Kelly Vega, has a one-year-old daughter, Lauren.
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