Categories: Politics

Ellijay City Council Interviews: David Westmoreland

Why are you running?

“I’ve always had an interest in local politics. You can do more at the local level 99% of the time. I got into politics in 1981 for the same reason.”

What are your qualifications? Any other posts in Local government?

“Since 1981, I’ve been on city council or served a mayor or on the Gilmer Water Authority, where I served for 4 years. I have also been Chairman of administrative board at First United Methodist and Chairman of Trustees at different times. I served for 4 years on the governor’s water use advisory committee. I worked for 31 years as a controller at Blue Ridge Carpet Mills. I presently do an income tax service.”

What is one thing you hope to accomplish if (re)-elected

“Continue to provide the taxpayers the essential services like public safety (police, fire) at the lowest possible cost. Spending money wisely is what the council should help to do.”

What services, If any, would you take away or add to the city of ellijay?/Would you increase spending with any line item?

“I wouldn’t cut anything we presently have. During our, I say our, because David Westmoreland has never accomplished anything alone, but with the help of council members, We built the public Safety building which has dropped ISO Ratings drastically, which is good for Residents and Businesses. I wouldn’t add anything currently.”

With added services, there comes a need to balance the budget, what would you do to balance the budget?

“In our case, balancing the budget is determining what services are essential and those services are the ones that must be provided. Then we need to either raise property taxes, which you don’t want to do or stay with what you have. We feel like currently we have a sufficient number of employees. In the last few years, we have been able to obtain SPLOST funds, which also helps balance the budget. Where we can also gain revenues is from increasing tourism and sales tax revenue in the whole county. The City of Ellijay gets a portion of the tax dollars from Gilmer County. I think we would all like to see tourism as a number one priority in Ellijay and Gilmer County. To gain that, we must work with people beside ourselves. Essential services are the first thing that potential residents and the council looks at.”

What sort of program(s) or policy(s) would you institute to encourage growth in Ellijay?

“As far as growth in Ellijay, I think economic growth will fuel population growth. If we have growth in the downtown business district, the population will grow. The policies to do that is first working with Gilmer County, the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Development Authority to develop the downtown the right way. Secondly, identify commercial businesses not in town (such as grocery stores and pharmacies and bring them back to town. Third, we need more parking to encourage growth. If we want a tourist-friendly destination, it needs to be easy for tourists to get in and out and pedestrian friendly. The Downtown Development Authority has given us a tool that we didn’t used to have. The authority can raise its own funds and purchase property to make them business ready.”

What sort of policies do you support dealing with the amount and type of liquor that can be dispensed in the city limits and

“We now have liquor by the drink and beer and wine by the drink and beer and wine package. I would think in the future, there might be a chance for a referendum on the liquor package issue and let the residents decide if they want it. If we had that revenue, it could go against the property tax. We could have such stores within our jusidiction on 515 and downtown if the council and mayor decided. The property tax could potentially be cut in half by the liquor tax.”

Do you want only certain ways to dispense alcohol within the city limits?

“ At present the city does not benefit from package liquor sales”

Do you Support Sunday Liquor sales?

“I don’t think the existing ordinance needs to be changed; we haven’t had a problem. It was passed by a referendum several years ago and seems to have worked.”