You Ask the Candidates: Bob Clark

Recently, Lawrenceville Patch reached out to the community for questions they wanted to ask the . All this week, we will be featuring the candidates' responses to your inquiries. 

has lived in Lawrenceville for 32 years. Clark and his wife Valerie have two sons who now attend the University of Georgia. He served as principal of Dyer Elementary and Parkview High School as well as president of the Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association. Clark previously was elected to serve a two year term on the city council in 2006.

How important do you think the is to the overall prosperity and quality of life in Lawrenceville?

Clark: The health of our downtown business district, to a large extent, is a measure of the vitality and appeal of Lawrenceville. Businesses in the overlay district need to offer quality services and goods as a viable alternative to the strip mall experience. The mixture of businesses should attract customers from both inside and outside the city limits. Lawrenceville citizens want to know that their hometown has shopping and leisure conveniences that add to the experience of living here. A prosperous business community strengthens good neighborhoods.

Would you change anything about Lawrenceville's current? If so, what would you change? If not, why?

Clark: The current ordinance (Chapter 34-201 Alcohol Beverage Sales) has been amended in the past few years and most recently at the Council meeting Monday night. I think the present code gives businesses good flexibility in serving alcoholic beverages without the risk of having to permit bars.

Do you think ? Why or why not?

Clark: I oppose any effort to make Briscoe a commercial passenger airport. Greater Lawrenceville has to be vigilant to any initiative intending to bring in commercial passenger service following any privatization. Privatization is only as good as the organization and the quality of the contract. The group advising the county commissioners in developing the request for proposals (IMG) for private management of Briscoe advises the contract should not allow for the county to assume any liability if the private group fails to make the airport profitable. The present market for general aviation is weak making it challenging for any private group to be financially successful.

What, if anything, would you do to develop the economy within the city limits of Lawrenceville to continue the revitalization efforts?

Clark: For Lawrenceville to continue to move forward both residential areas and commerce need support. Neighborhoods are more unified now since several associations have been organized in the past few years. The council must respond to the requests of these groups for improved lighting, storm water control, curbing and street resurfacing. A study of neighborhoods now underway will proactively identify needed upgrades bringing a measure of improved service. I will initiate a process to explore viable ways to lessen the problem of unkempt, vacant homes in our neighborhoods.

For business, I support three initiatives: 1. Employ a full-time community development officer to sell the advantages of doing business in Lawrenceville. The focus should be compatible with efforts of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Partnership program to attract firms that pay their employees well; 2. Continue to support the efforts of the Lawrenceville Tourism and Trade Association and New Lawrenceville in their work of attracting visitors and sponsoring events; and 3. Follow-through with the proposed Tax Allocation Districts (TAD). The TADs have the potential to create 3500 jobs within ten years.

Are  important within a city and specifically within a downtown district? Why or why not.

Clark: It is an accepted notion that parks and green spaces are attractors to residents, businesses, and visitors. Not all parks are equal, however, and development of a downtown green must be cautious with realistic approaches to funding and design. The present interest in relocating the gas, electric, street, and waste collection facilities has merit. Moving this industrial site would significantly improve the look of downtown provide a needed upgrade of city service facilities, and allow development of an additional space for leisure and larger community events.