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Hello Habersham County!
My name is Rick Austin
and I am a candidate for the Habersham County Commission, District
4. As your candidate, I’d like to let you know more about
me and what I believe Habersham County needs.
I AM A HABERSHAM COUNTY NATIVE
I was raised in Demorest, the son of the late Richard (Dick) Austin,
Sr. and Pat Austin. I attended Demorest Elementary, South Habersham
Jr. High, and graduated from Habersham Central High School in
1984. I was deeply involved in sports, farming, hunting, and fishing
while growing up in the beautiful hills of Habersham.
I AM WELL EDUCATED
I earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from
Piedmont College in 1990, a Master’s of Science in Zoology
from Auburn University in 1993, and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.
in Biology) degree from The University of Mississippi in 1997.
My professional expertise is biology and ecology and I consider
our natural resources to be one of our greatest treasures. As
such, I believe that the conservation of the natural resources
of Habersham County should be one of our top priorities as we
make decisions regarding planning and future growth.
I AM A PROVEN LEADER
I am an Associate Professor of Biology at Piedmont College, serving
as the Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences for the past
four years. In that capacity, I have managed a large annual operational
budget and faculty and staff employees. In addition, I own and
operate Plethodon Research, a pharmaceutical discovery company
with international ties focused on discovering new anti-infective
molecules from biological sources.
I also serve as the Director of College Ministry and Director
of Royal Ambassadors at Level Grove Baptist Church. I am an ordained
Deacon and represent our church as a member of the Habersham County
Baptist Executive Committee.
Additionally, I serve as a member of the Habersham County Planning
Commission.
I AM A DEDICATED SERVANT
Nearly all of my donated time is centered in our local church
and with our County’s children. I regularly speak to local
schools and organizations regarding conservation issues, research,
and reptile and amphibians. I also have spent countless hours
over the past four years coaching in Little League Baseball and
in the Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department. I believe
that children are our greatest asset and as such, spend a great
deal of time with them as they grow and formulate their ideals
that will influence them as adults.
I AM CONSERVATIVE
I am conservative, both morally and fiscally. My family and I
are very active members of Level Grove Baptist Church. I have
a strong faith in God and am reliant upon His direction as I make
decisions that affect my family, church, and county.
I AM A DEDICATED HUSBAND AND FATHER
My wife, Jennifer, and our two sons, Sloan (8) and Brice (5),
are my top priorities. The primary reason that I am running for
this office is to ensure Habersham County remains a vibrant, viable
place to live, work, and raise a family.
THE ISSUES:
- I believe that Habersham County should manage
future growth and implement standards and practices that ensure
that we protect our scenic and agricultural heritage. Such measures
will reduce the burden on our local schools, decrease the ever-increasing
demand for water, reduce the demand for land development, and
decrease the need for additional taxes.
- We must grow economically. Habersham County
must increase our industrial development to ensure that job
availability grows accordingly. Placing a high priority on infrastructural
improvements, such as County water and sewer in well-defined
corridors, will enable us to attract new businesses and industry
to our County
- We must increase the pay for our County fire
and sheriff department personnel. These public servants place
their lives on the line everyday. We simply must seek to find
ways to pay them more. Only then will Habersham County cease
to be a training ground for other counties.
As your County Commissioner, I will work diligently
to implement measures and standards that will address these issues
to ensure that Habersham County grows economically without compromising
our natural resources, agricultural heritage or scenic beauty.
I’ll fight to have an accountable government that is fiscally
conservative and I’ll seek ways to better spend your tax
dollars.
I appreciate you taking the time to read this article. Let’s
work together to make Habersham a better place. I would appreciate
both your vote and support. Please call me if you have any questions
at all.
With Highest Regard,
Dr. Rick Austin
706 894-2268
706 499-8955
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