Meet the Candidates: Susan Dease Wilkinson

Smyrna’s general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 and a record 19 candidates are on the ballot. In their words, candidates will be introducing themselves here at Patch. Today, we have Ward 5 city council candidate Susan Dease Wilkinson, who is running against Mike Hyde and Jason Saliba.

As a resident of Ward 5 for 25 years, Susan has seen and experienced the positive long-term growth of Smyrna. She was attracted to the Smyrna area because of its small town atmosphere, yet within close proximity to Atlanta.   

Susan is a native of the Atlanta area, graduating high school in the top 5 percent of her class and then earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design and Illustration from the University of Georgia. While in college, Susan worked in the county office updating records based on new development. After graduation, she worked for several marketing firms, gaining design and illustration experience on corporate accounts such as Home Depot, Coca-Cola, Arby’s and Pizza Hut.

Susan moved to Smyrna as a single professional and worked as an independent contractor for more than 15 years providing services for companies such as Bell South Mobility, John Wieland Homes, and Southern Wall Products (RUCO) just to name a few. As an independent designer, Susan worked extensively with developers, architects and engineers. Susan attributes her success in business to her ability to listen to others and bring their ideas to fruition.

While living here in Smyrna, Susan met and married her husband, Doward, and became the mother of two daughters, now ages 13 and 14. She and her family are involved members of the . Susan was appointed to the Smyrna Educational Task Force and she has represented her neighbors on issues requiring extensive research of factual information, resulting in a positive outcome for her community.

As a parent of teenagers, Susan can identify with young parents and understand issues they face today. She will strive to ensure that Smyrna remains a desirable, safe place to live and raise a family. Susan embraces the senior citizens in her community and will ensure that we bridge the gap of all generations. She has a vested interest in Ward 5. 

Through Susan’s experiences as a professional, a parent, and an involved citizen, and through her skills as a good listener and communicator, she will be a strong voice on the city council for the citizens of Ward 5.

The interesting history of Susan’s long time neighbors has been a key reason for her enthusiasm for this area and these neighbors are also her inspiration for seeking to be a representative on the Smyrna City Council. In her words, “I want to ensure that my neighbors and community (the voters of ward 5), have a voice in their representation and I am at a point in my life that I can dedicate the time and energy to be that voice.”

As a council representative I will focus on the needs of the citizens of Ward 5 and Smyrna including:

Encouraging Business and Job Growth

Education

Transportation

Beautification of Entrances to Neighborhoods

Improvements to South Cobb Drive and Windy Hill

Citizen Involvement

Neighborhood Watch – Crime Concerns

Code Enforcement

I would love the opportunity to serve the citizens of Ward 5. I can be reached at 678-699-3485 and susan4smyrna@gmail.com.

Please vote Susan Dease Wilkinson on Tuesday, Nov. 8! Thanks!