Kennesaw Elections Guide 2019: Candidates Looking To Future

KENNESAW, GA — The Kennesaw City Council election will take place Nov. 5. The election is for the council seats of mayor, Post 1 and 2.

Patch has invited each candidate in contested races to participate in our election profile series. We will continue to update this story with links to responses to our questionnaire.

Part one of the candidate questionnaire dives into why the candidates want to run and what their long and short term goals are, and why they love the city. Check back next week for what they say is the biggest issue that the city faces, how they want to combat that and why people should vote for them.

Who's Running?

Mayor

Derek Easterling (incumbent) *did not answer the questionnaire

Post 1

James Eaton (incumbent) www.doceaton.com

Antonio Jones *did not answer the questionnaire

Karen Gitau *did not answer the questionnaire

Post 2

Tracey Viars (incumbent) https://www.facebook.com/letsdothiskennesaw

Question 1: Why did you want to run for city council?

Post 1 candidate

James Eaton: I have served for four years on a highly cohesive council. We have many qualified professionals who run the various departments of the city and our job is to let them do their jobs. We will take care of the legal stuff and appropriate funds for them as needed in the form of a balanced budget.

Post 2 candidate

Tracey Viars: My motivation to serve is to guide the city to become the best, most vibrant, economically thriving, something-for-everyone place to live work and play in Cobb County. I think we've got much to be proud of but more work to do. I want to continue to be a part of that.

Question 2: What are your short term and long term goals for the position?

Post 1 candidate

James Eaton: We have already accomplished much. Financially the city is in the best shape ever. Our green space is growing in the form of Swift Cantrell Park and the Smith Gilbert Gardens. Our new Depot Park, our own Central Park, is under development and will be the center gem of our green spaces. Traffic is always a concern and I want to see us complete the Bridge on the Sardis Street extension which will allow the closing of the very dangerous Cherokee Street Crossing in front of the museum. We have over 100 trains per day coming through our city.

Post 2 candidate

Tracey Viars: I'd like to ensure that we have easy processes for starting and running businesses in Kennesaw. That we communicate well with our citizenry so all feel included and informed. I'd like to see us continue to clean up and develop inactive properties so that we have a stronger economic base and great services and experiences close to home. I would also like to see us strengthen our bond with Kennesaw State University because I feel there are lots of mutual benefits for both entities in doing so. Long term (and ongoing) I'd like to see us continue to bolster the city's financial position by being fiscally responsible so that we can continue to offer great services and a great lifestyle to our citizens.

Question 3: What is your favorite part of living in Kennesaw?

Post 1 candidate

James Eaton: We are now a livable centers imitative sensitive city and I love the people and the walk ability of our downtown. And it's only going to get better.

Post 2 candidate

Tracey Viars: I love how close we are to Atlanta but yet so far. We have opportunities for great experiences close to home but our proximity to 75 lets us easily travel to Battery Park, Downtown Atlanta and other parts of the metro. Our city is clean, safe, comfortable and welcoming. We are a friendly community. We are a small city with a big life. I also love living so close to a University that helps support our economy and grants us college sports, theater and other activities as well as a well-educated work force.