Ellijay City Council Interviews: Katie Lancey

• Why are you running?

“I feel like I’ve helped to steer the city in the right direction during the time I’ve been in office and would like to continue to do so.”

 

 

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

“I have been on the city council. I have earned a certificate of achievement from Georgia Municipal Association from all the classes and I am only two classes away from earning certificate of excellence from the Georgia Municipal Association. I have also served on the planning commission. I am Chief Nursing office at North Georgia Medical Center, which involves administrative experience.”

 

 

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

“I would like to see a change in direction in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA). I feel like the DDA was formed out of Better Hometown Program and have the mind set of the Better Hometown Program rather than a bigger picture mind set of a DDA. They need to look at purchasing and fixing up property, which is something the city council can’t do. I would like to see more residential development in town and more cooperation with our new development officer and cooperation between Gilmer County, Ellijay, and East Ellijay.”

 

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

“I would like to acquire more green space and park space. But it is expensive, so our plate is pretty full right now, with Harrison Park. Since I have been elected, we’ve added the fire department and Harrison Park. I can’t think of any services I would add.”

 

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

“In the 17 years I’ve been in office, we’ve never raised taxes and the budget has been balanced. The only debt is the public safety building, which should be paid off next year. We’ve been able to weather the recession well, without reducing quality of life for citizens. We have reduced the budget a lot since I was first elected.”

 

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

“One of the best things we have is our police force. The security and safety in Ellijay is top-notch. When looking at moving into a city, potential residents look at crime. I think that is important to attracting new residents. Firming up police and fire protection will help attract resident. Enforcing zoning laws will help keep property rates stable and up.”

 

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

“First, we don’t have package sales in parts of the city, I think the downtown merchants need that to sell boutique beer and wine they want to sell. Also we need to look at accommodations for a brewery coming into town. Micro-breweries are great tourist destinations.”

 

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

“I think downtown merchants will need package sales to sell boutique beer and wine.”

 

• Do you Support Sunday Liquor sales?

“Yes. We currently have Sunday liquor sales.”

 

• Are you for any limitations as to where alcohol is sold?

 

“I am in favor of state regulations.”