Lawrenceville residents will choose two new City Council members in this year’s local elections.
Councilmember Bob Clark announced during a Monday meeting that he will not run for another four years in office. First elected in 2005, Clark will end his tenure as the most longstanding current council member.
“If you think my stepping down means my involvement with the city is ending, you’d be wrong,” said Clark during the meeting. “I’ll likely be sharing my opinions from the other side of this dais after my term is over.”
Councilmember Keith Roche announced in June that he will not seek reelection. The seats for Roche and Clark will be the only offices on the November ballot, in which residents will choose two new faces to join City Council in 2022.
“My goal in public service has been to enhance the quality of life in Lawrenceville, to have a town that’s safe, attractive and prosperous,” Clark said.
Clark highlighted the council’s role in revitalizing the downtown area and several city-sponsored initiatives and projects either completed or underway. He mentioned infrastructure upgrades and resident-led boards created by council to further involvement with local government.
“The impressive thing about these accomplishments is the way in which councilmembers have worked together,” Clark said. “... I’ve learned a priceless lesson on how the will of the people gets translated into reality... It takes a community to build one.”
A former educator, high school principal and superintendent, Clark said he plans to spend time at Lake Hartwell with his wife, Valerie, and their grandson. But he said residents will continue to see him involved with the city.
Austin Thompson, a small business consultant, declared his intention to run for Clark’s seat months before the announcement that the councilmember won’t seek reelection. Jen Young, executive director of Impact46, plans to run for Roche’s current seat.
