Q&A With Peachtree Corners City Council Candidate Joseph Sawyer

Peachtree Corners Patch asked the 20 candidates for the six council seats on the new Peachtree Corners City Council a series of questions relating to city government for the upcoming Municipal Election on March 6, 2012.

Each of the candidates were asked the same set of questions. The last question we posed was to ask each candidate ask and answer his or her own question and provide the answer.

Patch introduces Joseph Sawyer, one of three candidates seeking the council seat for Post 1.

Name: Joseph F. Sawyer

Lived in Peachtree Corners: 15 years

Educational background: Alabama State University & Baptist University of America

Family: Married to Kimberly Sawyer for 19 years; Daughters - Lauren age 20 and Lacey age 14; Grandson - Kameron age 19 months

Military background: Disabled Veteran

Occupation: Owner of Alpha Omega Carpet Cleaning for 10 years

What experience in your background do you think has best prepared you for serving on the Peachtree Corners council?

I have been dedicated to the well being of this community since relocating my family here 15 years ago.  I have volunteered in the community in many ways to help make it a better place for families to live.  One of my passions in life is helping to mentor young adults, I was a basketball coach for Peachtree Corners Baptist Church for 6 years and regularly spoke with youths at Juvenile Hall about how to make better life choices in order to become a productive part of society.  Being a two time cancer survivor I also volunteer with Relay for Life to help raise money for cancer research. 

I have been the president of the Meadow Green home owners association for 6 years.  Since becoming president the association has grown by 40%.  I also volunteered with UPCCA to help what we now know as the City of Peachtree Corners come into existence.

Tell Peachtree Corners readers about your vision for the new city and how you would accomplish it?

Being a small business owner myself I have the interests of small and large scale businesses at heart.  It is not only my goal to bring more jobs to our city but to also help those who have the dream of being their own boss become a reality.  Having grown up in a diverse community I would like to see that every individual's voice is heard, no matter how large or small.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Peachtree Corners, and how would you approach it?

I have heard many concerns over the city's millage rate.  One of the greatest challenges facing Peachtree Corners will be to find a position on this issue that makes all citizens feel as though their tax dollars are being spent where it should be.  I feel that if the citizens of Peachtree Corners are happy with where their money is being spent then there would not be as much concern over this issue.  It is my goal as a city council member to make sure that this goal is realized.

What will happen to the quality of life now that we are our own city?

I would like to see that the quality of life only goes up for Peachtree Corners.  I want to make sure that our families have safe and secure neighborhoods to not only raise their children in but to also retire in.  The way that I would like to see this remain a reality is to incorporate an open door policy and to encourage citizens to come to me with their concerns.

For more information visit Joe Sawyer's campaign website: www.Vote4JoePC1.com