You Ask the Candidates: Renita Hamilton

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. 

Renita Hamilton has been a Lawrenceville resident for the past ten years. A graduate of Savannah State University, Hamilton now owns an event planning company. Hamilton says her goal as a concerned citizen and small business owner is to represent the people.

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

Hamilton: The downtown district is essential to the success of the overall prosperity and quality of life in Lawrenceville. As a business owner I recognize, acknowledge, and applaud local businesses setting the tone for being instrumental in contributing to the quality of life in Lawrenceville.

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

Hamilton: Yes, there are items that need to be addressed in the Alcohol Ordinance. I would like to bring clarity to the Alcohol Ordinance special use permit process. As it is currently written the ordinance doesn’t distinguish between special use permit for alcohol or zoning. There needs to be clear standards and criteria upon which these special use permits are issued. I would like to provide that clarity when elected.

Currently, section 34-231(e) of the alcohol ordinance reads “It is the intent of this section to prohibit activities typically associated with promotions referred to as happy hour or similarly designated promotions.” This should change to provide Downtown business owners greater opportunities to generate sales and increase profit by being allowed to host happy hour or similarly designated promotions.

Do you think ? Why or why not?

Hamilton: No, privatizing Briscoe field should not occur to protect the priority of preserving the quality of life for all of the existing neighborhoods, schools, churches, businesses, and residents. Those who live in Lawrenceville will be impacted the most. I cannot support the airport expansion as long as everyone feels the threat of the potential negative effects. In listening to the people, the negative effects include noise pollution, air quality, and a disruption in current lifestyle.

The will of the people within the City of Lawrenceville should be considered, enforced, and supported.  The citizens have made and stated a collective and resounding no to the privatization of Briscoe and therefore I standby and support the will of the people to not privatize Briscoe.

In the event that Briscoe is privatized, I will actively seek for the City of Lawrenceville participation in the decision making process that govern the airport’s usage.

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

Hamilton: To continue the revitalization efforts by developing the economy within the city limits of Lawrenceville must include providing jobs, attractive incentives for entrepreneurs, small businesses, micro-enterprises, and retaining existing businesses. Further development would include incentive partnerships between the city and business owners that would include negotiating reduced rent, generating matching investment dollars, actively create and establish more effective marketing campaigns, public relations education and business development day classes, and customer incentive days for local residents. I will make it my mission to create and implement a strategic program that encompasses all of the proposed initiatives that will revitalize the economy within the City of Lawrenceville.

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

Hamilton: Absolutely, parks and green space are important within the city and specifically within the downtown district. The reason being parks and green space add to the quality of life and value associated with beautification. It is an attraction to Downtown District shoppers and for those that work in areas. These are vital areas that have been developed to enhance, make richer, and improve on the Downtown experience. Parks and green space are also developed to provide well-maintained and safe areas in the Downtown District for all to enjoy outdoor events and activities.