Meet the Candidates: Jason Saliba

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 Jason Saliba, who is running against Michael “Mike” Hyde and Susan Dease Wilkinson.

By Jason Saliba

I was born and raised in Dothan, Al., and my mother and father have been married 56 years and still live in Dothan. While in school, I was involved in Boy Scouts (Eagle Scout); church activities; leadership roles in middle and high school; and state and national leadership positions with the YMCA Youth Legislature program.

I attended Auburn University and upon graduation I attended law school at Emory University. I graduated in 1995 and began working for the Office of the District Attorney. I teach for the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, Cobb County Police Academy, and the Department of Justice. I also lecture nationally for the National College of District Attorneys.

I have served the citizens of Cobb County as a prosecutor, leading the organized crime unit for the last several years. I served as the president of the Metro-Marietta Kiwanis Club and served on the boards of Leadership Cobb, the Metropolitan Atlanta High Technology Crimes Task Force and the Cobb Safety Village Foundation. Additionally I volunteer for the American Cancer Society and served as the co-chair of the 2010 Swordsman’s Ball. I also volunteer for the YWCA and am a graduate of Honorary Commanders.

I want to serve my community by continuing the tradition of excellent services and exercising fiscal responsibility. The issues that are important to Ward 5 are to make sure the services and infrastructure in the city, and especially Ward 5, are maintained and when needed repaired or updated. They also want to make sure their councilman is available and responsive to their concerns.

Additionally the north end of Ward 5 encompasses the Windy Hill, South Cobb Drive and Pat Mell Road areas. It is essential that we plan for and accomplish the revitalization of these areas. Revitalization does not mean destroying existing neighborhoods for the sake of higher density building. The largest areas of concern are the commercial areas on South Cobb Drive and Windy Hill Road. Traffic, which has become much more significant since the opening of the Windy Mac connector, must be kept out of our neighborhoods while we capitalize on these people driving through our community to patronize our businesses.

(Ed. note: The candidate was asked to envision the city four, 10, 20 years from now)

Four years from now, I believe our economy will be recovering. The city will have a redevelopment plan for the areas expanding outward from downtown, especially the Windy Hill and South Cobb corridors. We will need to address traffic concerns as well as economic development to draw business into these areas. This plan must include the development of small businesses in these areas in addition to any large companies relocating to Smyrna.

Four years from now will also see Jonquil Plaza completed or nearing completion and the Belmont Hills project underway in some form. It is absolutely imperative that a proper tenant or buyer be found to occupy Cobb Commons. I consider a proper tenant to be one that will have a positive halo effect on the South Cobb Drive/Pat Mell Road area.  Redevelopment of Cobb Commons will help drive the revitalization of that area and eventually help with the renewal of the entirety of Ward 5.   

Ten years from now the Windy Hill corridor should be nearing completion of its renewal. All of the business area should be at full occupancy and the area should have a much more neighborhood feel, despite the fact it is now an extremely busy road due to the Windy Mac connector. The city will have encouraged revitalization on South Cobb Drive, which also will begin to show a more consistent image and feel in keeping with the neighborhoods bordering it. This type of revitalization will also be expanding down Spring Road, protecting the businesses on it that have been so vital to Smyrna over the years.

Additionally, the Smyrna infrastructure, including roads, water lines and sewer lines will need to be repaired and/or replaced as they age. We want to repair infrastructure as it is needed, in manageable sections. Each ward will have needs and the council will need to make sure every ward is treated equally and fairly.

Twenty years from now it is my hope and plan that all of Smyrna will be a vibrant community full of our great neighborhoods, local businesses, parks and activities for people of all age groups and interests. While there are certainly advantages in being part of the Atlanta area, on a day to day basis our residents should be able to live, shop, eat, and enjoy their free time in Smyrna. Our children deserve the same advantages of safe neighborhoods, safe streets, and a wonderful childhood in a hometown they will always be a point of pride for them.

While the issue of schools is beyond the control of the city council and mayor, we must also work tirelessly to improve the schools in our community and give our children the best advantages for their future.  This work has begun with the International Baccalaureate program at Campbell and the plan for a new elementary school. We must make sure the Cobb County School Board protects our children and their future.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/VoteSaliba

Cmpaign email is VoteSaliba@hotmail.com

Follow me on Twitter @VoteSaliba