After 13 years on city council, new Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman knows his way around City Hall.
Following the new council’s swearing in ceremony Jan. 4, Thurman, three new council members and two returning council members will schedule a day of training to get everyone up to speed on procedures and plans for the new year.
“We are working to build a consensus within the new council,” Thurman said. “We want to understand the priorities of what we want to do and what we need to do, and make sure everybody is on board. Everyone has their own wish list.”
Thurmon said he would be meeting with department heads early in the month also.
“Our big issue has always been economic development,” the mayor said. “We want to bring new growth and quality growth to Powder Springs.”
Thurman, 58, won a runoff with 57 percent of the votes against councilman and family physician Chris Wizner. Thurman becomes Cobb County’s first black mayor.
“We had the support and people wanted a change,” Thurman said. In 13 years on council, “I brought a down to earth approach, meeting regularly with my constituents. I had the pulse of the people and brought that to the table.”
As a council member, Thurman worked to get the Ron Anderson Recreation Center built using CDBG funding from the county after a recreation bond failed twice.
“I want people to know that we love Powder Springs and Powder Springs is a beautiful city. We want to continue that momentum,” he said.
It was sta
nding room only in the council chambers with City residents and family and friends of the newly elected officials in attendance. There was also a large crowd gathered for live streaming of the event at the Patricia Vaughn Cultural Arts Center. Prior to his election, Mayor Thurman served as a member of city council for twelve years. Mayor Thurman stated: “I embrace the responsibility of this office. I promise the new beginning of cooperation, accountable leadership, economic development, and service to our City.”
Mayor Al Thurman and City Council members, from left, Patrick Bordelon, Cheryl Sarvis, Albert Thurman, Nancy Hudson, Patricia Wisdom, and Doris Dawkins
Mayor Al Thurman being sworn in by Cobb county judge Phillip P. Taylor as Jacquelyn Thurman watches.
New members of the City Council were also sworn in, including: Patrick Bordelon Sr., At Large Post 1; Patricia A. Wisdom, At Large Post 2 Doris Dawkins, Ward 2.
From the January 2016 issue of The Bright Side, Cobb County Georgia’s Newspaper covering Smyrna, Vinings, Mableton, Powder Springs and Austell, GA.
