A Gainesville native has announced his intent to run for the recently vacant City of Gainesville Ward 1 seat following the resignation of long-time councilman Danny Dunagan.
The nonpartisan election will be held on May 16 of next year.
Bob Norton announced his intent to run on Wednesday.
"Gainesville has been great to me and my family, and I've watched the transformation of our town over the last 10 to 15 years and it's been truly amazing," Norton told AccessWDUN. "We have such a great town."
Norton is a business executive, entrepreneur, husband, father, and community leader. He also said he spoke to Dunagan Wednesday morning.
"I'm devastated that he had to resign based on health reasons, but my prayers and heart is with him," Norton said.
He’s been with the Norton Agency since 1982, and he currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Norton Agency Insurance.
"I'm really more involved on our insurance side, so I don't have a lot to do with what's going on. I'm not really in the know of who we're working with and what their projects are, but if there is a conflict, then I would recuse myself," Norton said.
If elected, Norton said that his priorities would be centered around smart growth and infrastructure to support it.
"The growth is choking us from our infrastructure of being able to handle the storm water, the electrical, even the WiFi," Norton said. "Other towns are farther along than we are. We've got to continue to look for ways to improve our town. As a city councilman ... the obligation is not to run the city, but to help advise the city on proper ways to grow."
Norton added that while the city must continue to focus on affordable housing, they cannot solely rely on multifamily construction.
Norton said that he looks forward to meeting with and listening to Gainesville residents.
"My understanding is that the council may appoint someone to take the remainder of his term. If they do, that's great," Norton said. "My plan is to get out, ask a lot of questions more than give answers, because I don't have the answers."
