You Ask the Candidates: Eric Reid

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. 

Eric Reid is an independent real estate broker who has lived in Camden Square for ten years. Reid has an office in Downtown Lawrenceville. He is currently in the process of adopting two foster children.

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

Reid: The downtown district is the face of Lawrenceville to those who would consider relocating their families and businesses to our city.  It is  vital  that we continue to preserve and improve our downtown area since this is the image that represents our quality of life and sense of community pride.  It is  also important  that our city's leadership remember that Lawrenceville does not end at the borders of the downtown square. While the downtown area is of vital interest to our community, we cannot continue to neglect the residential neighborhoods that are outside the downtown district.  

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

Reid: I believe the alcohol ordinance reflects the will of our community.  However, as with all city ordinances there are times when we must revise those policies based on the desires of the people.  The citizens of Lawrenceville have  been given the opportunity  to decide for themselves the issue of Sunday sales, and I trust in the voters wisdom on that issue .  It is important that any future concerns with local ordinances be brought before a city council that obeys and represents the will of the people while being responsive to the changing times.

Do you think ? Why or why not?

Reid: No. The likelihood of finding a company to take control of, and invest in, Briscoe Field without eventually seeking to expand and commercialize the airport is extremely slim. Privatization will inevitably lead to commercialization and expansion. 

When we discuss the expansion of Briscoe Field we have to start making health issues a part of that conversation.  Studies have shown that the exhaust from jet engines contains some of the most carcinogenic chemicals known to man, and one runway can contaminate a 5 mile radius and up to 20 miles downwind. Those living in the vicinity of airports suffer higher cancer rates, higher incidences of childhood leukemia, and a multitude of additional health risks. Our community should not be the sacrificial lamb to profit a few individuals and well placed businesses in other areas of Gwinnett County. 

I believe this remains the single most important issue facing Lawrenceville.  We cannot afford to elect council members who are apathetic to the expansion and/or privatization of Briscoe Field or who are willing to let the county “work it out.” As your city councilman I will not waver in my opposition to the expansion or privatization of Briscoe Field; and I will not rest until this threat to our quality of life has been completely removed.

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

Reid: Economic development is a multi -faceted issue that requires multiple approaches. First we must protect those things that make Lawrenceville a great place to live and work in order to attract the right kind of businesses and business opportunities. Distressed areas within a city will tend to attract a certain kind of business while vibrant and well maintained areas of a city will attract another type of business. We can see that effect already in many places throughout Lawrenceville with the numerous Bail Bond companies, used car lots, pawn shops, and abandoned buildings. We must work to make Lawrenceville a great place to live by providing safe neighborhoods, quality city services, timely maintenance and repairs, residential code enforcement, and working with Home Owner Associations and the Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance to insure our neighborhoods receive the assistance they need. We must insure that Lawrenceville is a place where people want to live and in turn do business.  Quality businesses, whether large or small, do not relocate to a city where their potential employees do not live or would not want to live. 

We must also elect city council members who will be prudent in addressing zoning issues. Special permits should be the exception to the rule when it comes to zoning, and those exceptions should be for the benefit of the people as a whole, not the benefit of a single person or business.  We cannot afford to continue with haphazard zoning practices and expect to protect our quality of life and our business community. 

My mother was a business owner in Minnesota. She told me on more than one occasion "if you can't find a job, create one." I believe her wise advice holds true for Lawrenceville as well. Lawrenceville has many unemployed workers and talented artists who could easily convert their talents into a small business given the appropriate guidance and opportunity. I believe that our city should work with the local business community to develop an entrepreneur program aimed at encouraging, assisting, and mentoring local residents with opening their own business. By using volunteer businessmen and women and pursuing federal funding, we can provide such a program with little or no cost to Lawrenceville taxpayers while strengthening our economy at the ground level.

Finally, we cannot fall into the trap of "any business will do" when it comes to attracting businesses to Lawrenceville.  Quite honestly, there are some businesses that would not be suitable for our community and would take more away from our quality of life than it would bring; such as an expanded airport. An expanded airport would bring additional jobs to our community along with additional businesses; however, I do not believe Lawrenceville's quality of life would benefit from long-term parking lots and car rental companies.  Our city must be selective in targeting businesses with high paying, highly skilled jobs that will enhance our quality of life; and we must aggressively compete to attract those businesses. 

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

Reid: Parks and green space are of vital importance to the quality of life of every community. Natural assets provide an invaluable service to our community by enhancing the historic, aesthetic, and recreational appeal of our city to visitors, tourist, residents and those who are considering relocating to our city for business purposes.  Parks provide opportunities for family and physical recreation, a venue for community events, and areas for peaceful relaxation, stress relief, and reflection. Green spaces also serve a vital role in the environment by filtering rainwater, helping prevent area flooding, removes pollutants from the air, and combating erosion.  Nearby parks and green spaces also increase our property values and enhance our overall quality of life.