From The Gwinnett Daily Post:

Two candidates for Duluth’s Post 3 council seat will face off again in a Dec. 1 runoff election, based on Tuesday’s unofficial polling results. Billy Jones had 276 votes and Elise Whitworth had 255. Neither candidate won more than 50 percent of the votes, making a runoff election necessary.

The third candidate for the Post 3 seat, George Rhode, won 127 votes.

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Whitworth, 61, is an online faculty member of Axia College of the University of Phoenix. She vows to help generate more job opportunities, improve the city’s infrastructure, focus on crime prevention, multi-generational planning, sustainable growth and historic preservation.

“I came in only 21 votes behind the front-runner tonight. I’m confident that I’ll win this election. Losing is not an option,” she said.

Later in the afternoon, Elise met with Mayor Harris and answered some of the Mayor’s questions regarding positions and issues, i.e., the Major’s own review process included all three candidates who were given equal time to respond to her questions.

During the Civitan Forum and the Mayor’s candidate review session, Elise shared her positions on some issues of great concern to the citizens that included:

• Addressing hazardous infrastructure issues brought about by aging and the recent deluge (did we see Noah’s ark pass by?), should be top priority as common sense would rightly determine. Install more sidewalks would increase foot traffic and would provide another way for folks to improve their health.
• Dropping the Ridgeway Extension project, and moving forward with the Highway 120 realignment project.
• Preserving and improving the Old City Hall block that has proven to be a great site for the Arts and through the initiatives of the Duluth Fine Arts League and the First Friday Art Walk events, has breathed new life into Downtown Duluth. Preserving what represents a vital part of our history and the soul of the city is important.
• Move forward with the Parks and Recreation Master Plan as SPLOST funds become available—especially the top priorities as expressed by the citizens, which was and still is the desire for more multi-use greenway trails, nature trails, dog parks, and bike trails, and a Senior Center. Wouldn’t it be great to have groups of bikers target the City of Duluth as one of their stop, rest, and eat destinations—another way to increase foot traffic in downtown Duluth.

Although, not mentioned during the Forum or review, Elise also believes it is very important to resolve the problem of increased criminal activity affecting neighborhoods adjacent to some centers of those activities, and to continue with crime deterrent strategies initiated by the Duluth Police Department.

Topping off today’s meetings included attendance at the Georgia Wing CAP staff meeting at Dobbins Air Force Base, led by Col. James Hughes.

On Tuesday, I attended the Duluth Historical Society meeting at the Strickland House Museum where Professor Richard Rawls of Georgia Gwinnett College spoke. The event was part of the “Gwinnett Reads” book program.

On Wednesday, I met with the members of the Albion Farms Homeowners Association. Later, I attended a meet-and-greet at Chocolate Perks. It is always great to hear what is on the mind of Duluth’s citizens.

I spent Thursday and Friday campaigning and distributing literature in the rain. Thanks go to Marcia LeRoux for braving the elements with me, and to Janice Polack for her assistance on the second day.

On Saturday, I attended the Kiwanis breakfast and contributed to the Duluth Police’s C.O.P.S. program. I highly recommend this neighborhood watch program as a great way to beeff up security and keep your family safe at home.

I finished off the weekend by taking in a Gladiators game at the Gwinnett Arena. GO GLADIATORS!

Elise plans to attend the 11:00 am ribbon cutting for the Taylor Park playground and the unveiling of the city’s new logo and tagline on the Town Green—see the city web site for details and other events taking place on this historic day.