We Have
Story to
Tell...
The City of Clarkston has a tremendous story that is rivaled by others,
both near and far.

Our community has world focus. Everyone is curious to learn how we handle our multitude of challenges and celebrate our community.

I thank many of you that took the time out of your busy schedules to meet and share with me your fond memories about growing up as a
child in Clarkston, the "Small Town [with its] Big Heart." The others who met with me, spoke about  our cultural diversity, business
offerings and our great, central location. As a long-time resident and community advocate, I have the experience to successfully
showcase our community.

I have always represented you with sincere professionalism and vigor.
A proven leader, you may rest assured that as your Mayor, a positive image will continue to radiate.
As I sit with various organizations and agencies they will hear our evolving story -- the story of a town that has determination and drive. I
have proven successes in obtaining resources, developing lasting partnerships and  getting our story told.

Let's continue to fashion that story together.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You asked me to remind you of some of the other things I have done in serving you,
All rights reserved. 2010
  • As Past President & Board member of the Clarkston Community Center, it was my voice, along with the late Dr. Dave Hilton and Dr. Chris Holliday
    that convinced the Coca Cola Foundation to jump start our fundraising efforts, with $250K to renovate the Clarkston Community Center.

  • Our story paved the way for the Hawks Foundation and Home Depot to donate a full-size basketball court to our city.

  • As Image Clarkston's secretary we were able to bring two festivals and a restaurant (Dolce's) to Clarkston..

  • When elected to office I said NO to doing business the same old way and asked for a moratorium to be placed so that we would get our Design
    Guidelines and Ordinances updated for more efficient business practices.

  • I said Yes and championed a 911 emergency phone at City Hall, the Callingpost notification system, a communications budget, in depth minutes
    from our Council meetings so that you would know what was going on if you weren't there. I gave you an informative report every month .
    Communications! Communications! Communications!

  • Working with you, I was able to introduce and establish Redevelopment Powers so that we would begin discussing and funding the changes to our
    city together.

  • I said NO to the way we were handling the budget and asked for more due diligence over the hard earned funds that you pay in taxes and fees.

  • I supported efforts to help get the Clarkston's Lake on the radar with the City and DeKalb County to help clean up our lake and make it one that all
    can enjoy.

  • As a Project Manager, I negotiated  with DeKalb County a $50K grant so that we could hire a firm to help better our internal operations. It helped with
    the training and development of our staff and committees to help move our projects along.

  • As Chair of the Streets Committee I worked hard with our Public Works team to make sure our streets were clean and concerns of safety was
    addressed.

  • I said NO to unsafe conditions in apartment housing and met with each complex manager to ask what we could do together to make conditions
    better for the residents of our city.

  • Working with the Atlanta Refugee Housing Committee and Habitat for Humanity to bring you information on how home ownership is achievable.

  • We had many projects such as Clarkston Blood Drives, Keep Clarkston Clean & Beautiful, our Wildflower Project, Bring One for the Chipper, our
    Light up Clarkston\Tree Lighting events.

  • The welcome banners placed around town in 6 different languages, sent a positive message to the world. Yes! to creative showcasing of our city.

  • As a Councilwoman I knew how important is to tell our story to get developers, businesses, and residents to invest in Clarkston. I wrote many press
    releases to get the word out about Clarkston. Getting a seat at the table means developing relationships. Positive relationships have been fostered
    over the years; developing personal relationships and guidance opportunities to help us in our proactive development.

  • Working with the Mayor, fellow members of Council and our staff, we sent our team to free Customer Service training with the DeKalb Convention
    and Visitors Bureau. Training opportunities must be ongoing for all employees.

  • As secretary and a member of the Clarkston Business Association, my professional relationships brought resources such as the DeKalb Chamber
    of Commerce, marketing, and legal services to help strengthen the organization.

  • As a two-term President of the DeKalb Municipal Association, we grew and promoted "One United DeKalb" working together to make our county one
    to be admired.

  • Clarkston and the city of Pine Lake are working together to bring jobs to both cities on a funded stimulus project in Pine Lake. This is the result of
    teamwork between Mayor Greg Zarus and myself lobbying the decision makers.

  • We just had a successful bike rodeo through the efforts of the Clarkston Health Collaborative, DeKalb County Board of Health, and Safe Kids. I was
    instrumental in getting the donation of two bikes and accessories from Walmart. The Mayor dedicated a bike rack to the residents of Clarkston on
    that day. Bikes were serviced and all had a great time learning how to be safe while riding our bikes.

  • I am working with well-established teams of dedicated professionals to help us get the resources we need. Project: Access (Clarkston) mission is
    to help those persons with any type of disability, Parent to Parent Navigator Team and the DeKalb\Gwinnett Community of Practice are working to
    help our children, just to name a few....


                                                                                                                  We are a team! Working to better our way of life!