Meet the Candidates: Wade Lnenicka

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 6 City Councilman Wade Lnenicka, who is running unopposed. 

Service in elected office in Smyrna is my way to help my hometown community grow and improve. During my 24 years in office, Smyrna has changed greatly and is now a model for other cities across the US. That was far from true when I began.

I enjoy getting up every day with the goal of doing things to help people. Serving in local government is a great way to do that.

I grew up in the Smyrna-Vinings area since moving here with my family at the age of 6. During my last two high school years I volunteered to tutor underprivileged children in the Vine City area of downtown Atlanta. After graduating from Georgia Tech I served 3 years in the US Army as an Infantry Officer, then continued my service in the US Army Reserve for 19 more years.

After earning an MBA Degree from the University of Michigan, I returned home to start my business career. I worked in the supply chain field negotiating purchasing contracts and creating long term supplier partnerships. I now work as a consultant for my own firm. My goal is to help companies spend their money more effectively and efficiently to help them survive in a tough economic climate.

Additionally, I also served as a volunteer coach for the Georgia Tech Lacrosse Club for more than four years. Next I became a college lacrosse official. I still serve as a high school and youth official and have a total of 33 years experience helping boys learn and play this fast growing sport.

Finally, I serve on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations and have been active in supporting such groups in the Smyrna community.

Thus, I hope citizens can see how I have devoted my life to serving others and helping people in many different ways.

The current economic climate is forcing governments at all levels to make tough choices. Revenues have fallen for three years, yet citizens expect government to continue providing essential services without wasting their money. Tough decisions require tough leadership. My record of performance demonstrates that I am capable of making the tough decisions. These decisions must be made in a thoughtful way without losing sight of the needs of the citizens we serve.

Smyrna must continue to change and grow to survive and remain a wonderful place to live, work and play. I want to work to bring new economic development and jobs to the city. 

I want to work to solve transportation problems and to find ways to offer transportation alternatives other than automobiles. The network of multi-use trails now under construction is one good example of this. 

I also want to maintain a focus on treating citizens as customers of local government services and not as servants to the government.

See here for Councilman Lnenick'as website, www.wadeforsmyrna.com.