Steve Cash--executive director of Henry

Council for Quality Growth

“I pray for good health for a change in 2010 and the experience of the wonderful joy that passes all understanding for my family, friends and neighbors in Henry County. The last two years have been dreadful economical times for many people including my family as well as many others who call Henry County home. Many of my business friends are gone and had to give up on their efforts to remain viable.

As executive director of the Henry Council for Quality Growth, Council members as well as myself, will have the responsibility of leading our community in a positive way so once again the county will experience positive growth in a smart way.

The end result will be the re-creation of jobs in the construction industry, commercial and residential, for the new year. The Growth Council will help to promote an environment that will encourage quality growth in Henry County and lead our community back to economic prosperity for all citizens by the creation of jobs while advocating smart growth principles and practices as the economy slowly resurrects itself from this recession crisis. Five thousand direct construction related jobs were lost in Henry County as a result of the downturn and every Henry Countian feels it.

In summation, my wishes and desires for 2010 is to be a better follower of Christ, husband, father, son, neighbor and to share love and encouragement to the hurting and hopeless. My further desire is to be Henry County’s biggest cheerleader in its efforts to bring back economic prosperity and responsibility to the county we all love to call home.”

Dexter Matthews--president of the

Clayton County NAACP

“First, I want to thank God for a healthy and wonderful 2009 for me and my family. I believe 2010 will be an excellent year. I wish people of the world learn to love each other and end all the wars and killing. I wish the United States would remove all troops from harms way in Afghanistan in 2010. I wish the economy recovers very quickly in 2010, so millions of Americans will not suffer more job losses and foreclosures.

I wish that Clayton County would quickly build the two remaining recreation centers that SPLOST money has already been collected to build. Also, I hope the county has the funds to operate these new centers so our youth will have somewhere else to go to stay out of trouble. I wish we could finally find a way to stop the violence in Clayton County. I would like for the school board and Dr. Heatley continue working hard on the path to fully recover our accreditation. I wish all citizens of Clayton County would work together to do what is in the best interest of the county.

I wish we can find a reasonable plan to save C-Tran because I do not want to see women and handicapped residents walking to and from work late at night or early in the morning. I hope the U.S. Congress passes a Healthcare Reform Bill, so more people can afford healthcare. I wish the Georgia House and Senate passes a Hate Crime Bill. And lastly, I wish there were no discrimination and racism in the world.”

Donald Leasher--interim fire chief of Union City Fire Department

“As the interim fire chief for the Union City Fire Department I have many responsibilities. My resolution for 2010 is to make the Union City Fire Department the best it has ever been. The Union City Fire Department strives to provide the best customer service as we endeavor to exceed our citizen’s expectations in all areas of fire service. I resolve to continue to be a strong leader for the firefighters that serve the city of Union City, leading by example and to set high expectations while providing resources needed to perform their duties.

I will work to take care of the employees in my charge while empowering their ideas and instilling a sense of pride in their performance, mentor them and recognize their outstanding efforts. We are working to increase our service area and build a third fire station, to be located at 6735 Oakley Industrial Blvd., which is expected to be completed by the end of April 2010.

Collaboration with partnerships such as working with new development in our Station 3 location is essential in maximizing our potential. As the interim Fire Chief, I will strive to foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, and ethics. For 2010, the fire department will place its focus on the community to form a strong relationship with the residents of Union City. The mayor and city council work diligently providing guidance and vision for the city and I will focus hard to implement their vision and pursue ways to align this policy to reach our goals to the public.”