The following is a press release from Richard Segal, who has declared his candidacy for Douglasville City Council, Ward 5.
Douglasville, GA – Richard Segal has announced his candidacy for city council representing Douglasville’s Ward 5, which includes the portions of the city that are along the Thornton Road, Blairs Bridge Road, and Riverside Parkway corridors. “When looking at the city ward map, many are surprised to learn that much of this ward is located in the part of the county known as Lithia Springs,” Segal said. “I recognize that the opportunities and issues facing Ward 5 can be very different from the rest of the city of Douglasville due to this geographic separation.” Segal is a 15-year resident and homeowner in the city of Douglasville, first in the northern part of the city and then in Tributary, having transferred to Georgia for his work. Segal earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business administration from California State University, Long Beach and has close to 30 years of accounting and finance experience in the entertainment, financial services and consumer products industries. “When looking at the city’s annual budget process, I know the right questions to ask because of my experience,” Segal continued. “My financial analysis skills will be very useful in considering budget proposals.”
Segal is an advocate for citizen involvement in local governments and for government transparency and has encouraged people to “Get informed and Get involved” through his Douglasville & Douglas County for Civic Action page on Facebook, and was a co-sponsor of the Douglas County Open Government Symposium held this year. “There are definitely improvements that can be made in the way the city of Douglasville communicates with its citizens,” according to Segal. “We can do some things more openly.”
In 2012, Segal led the effort in support of Sunday retail alcohol sales, which passed with a 70% “Yes” vote in the city of Douglasville, and with 95% in the city precinct he lives in. Segal has attended over 90% of the city council meetings held over the last six years. “I am very appreciative of my wife and teenage son who have supported my interest in our community,“ Segal said.
Segal is a member of the board of directors of Beyond the Front Porch, Inc., a Douglas County-based nonprofit that provides educational field trip opportunities to school-aged kids, and has served as a member of the city of Douglasville’s stakeholder group for the 10-year comprehensive plan update. Segal has also served his neighborhood as the Local Government Liaison for Tributary’s Civic Affairs Committee.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015. Those interested in following Richard Segal’s campaign can visit his Facebook page.
Jessica Szilagyi is a former Statewide Contributor for AllOnGeorgia.com.