My name is Tom Crawford. I am a current Ellijay City Councilmember running for re-election.
I have made Ellijay my home since 2010. I was raised in Rome, Ga., and graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1986.
I spent many years in the convention industry until I went into the insurance business in 2010. My Ellijay roots date back to the founding of Ellijay as a city, on my mother’s side of the family.
After my parents retired in Ellijay, the rest of the family followed. I am married to Donna Crawford and have a daughter who lives in Pensacola, Fla, a stepson who lives in Alpharetta and a stepdaughter who lives in Tellico Plains, Tenn.
I previously ran on responsible growth and having no agenda other than to serve the residents of the City of Ellijay, and I have done exactly that!
﹣ Lower Taxes — Held or reduced the millage rate for all four years.
﹣ Responsible Growth — Protected residential homeowners from the explosion of short-term rentals by crafting a sensible ordinance that allows for short-term rentals, but not in residential areas!
﹣ Respect for our First Responders — We passed the largest pay increase, by percentage, in the history of Ellijay to help bring the pay of our first responders up to par with their counterparts in surrounding cities! All of this was done without increasing taxes!
﹣ Commitment to Harrison Park — We provided a functional and cost-effective solution by building much needed rest rooms at Harrison Park at less than half the proposed plan without raising taxes on residents of Ellijay!
﹣ Fixing Tough Problems — The current city council adopted and paved Shrine Club Drive. This was years in the making.