Former Clarkesville City Councilwoman Tina Courson Evans has announced she will qualify for the seat vacated when Barrie Aycock resigned to qualify for mayor.
Evans said she is excited that Aycock is the city's mayor-elect.
"I think she is the perfect person to lead us through this time of rebuilding downtown and completing SPLOST projects," Evans said in her written announcement. "This council has worked very hard to make things happen in our city. It is remarkable that in March 2014 we lost one-fourth of our downtown square and that in 2016 we will have it rebuilt. What a job has been done and continues to be done by city employees and the council!"
Evans says her experience and familiarity with city programs and processes would allow her to "hit the ground running" and to be an asset to the council.
"The SPLOST projects are critical," Evans said. "The reservoir has had issues for years. It pleases me that we have been able to address those. Mary Street Park was brought to the council’s attention when I last served. Phase 1 of the work that started then is beginning to be implemented though SPLOST. Our Public Safety Building is needy. The very people that put their lives on the line for every citizen are housed in a building that needs much attention. SPLOST funds are helping us make some muc- needed renovations to that building.
"The council is busy doing many different things to make this city a better place for us to live, Evans said. "I am proud of the council and the city for carrying on after the sudden death of Mayor Terry Greene. He was a beloved member of this community and an outstanding mayor of this city. It was my pleasure to serve with him.
"Clarkesville is a special place," she said. "I feel very blessed to be here. Six generations of my family have been touched in some way by this community. For that I will always be grateful.
"My Daddy once told me, 'Community service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy here on earth'," Evans said. "I have tried to do this throughout my life. In this community, I have been involved with Grace Gate both as a volunteer and as a board member. Grace Gate provides free medical services to those who otherwise could not afford them. I am very involved in volunteer service at my church. I currently serve as clerk of the Session and now as the interim church administrator as our beloved pastor, Lisa L. Graves, retires and we go through a transition period of finding a pastor.
"I would be honored to serve the citizens of Clarkesville," Evans said. "I look forward to working once again for the citizens of this community."
The special election for the open city council seat will be held in conjunction with the General Primary Election on May 24. The fee to qualify is $18.
Qualifying for the Clarkesville Special Election will be open from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, March 7-10, and from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 11. Qualifying will be held at the Habersham County Office of Elections and Registration, Habersham County Administrative Building (old courthouse), 555 Monroe St., Clarkesville.
The person elected will serve from on or about June 6 of this year through Dec. 31, 2017.
