Resident To Run For Woodstock City Council

WOODSTOCK, GA -- While we are months away from the start of qualifying for the upcoming 2017 municipal elections in Woodstock, that isn't stopping one resident from tossing his hat into the ring.

Colin Ake on Friday announced he is running for the Ward 3 seat on the Woodstock City Council.

The seat is currently held by longtime incumbent Bob Mueller, who has not announced his plans to seek re-election to a sixth term.

"Woodstock has transformed into a destination thanks to the leadership demonstrated to date,” Ake said. “As Woodstock continues to grow, I will work to ensure that growth serves everyone who chooses to call Woodstock home.”

A native of Woodstock, Ake said he's experienced the community's growth and the changes that come with it.

Now that he and wife Nikki are raising their children, Owen and Lealynn, to call Woodstock home, he has dedicated himself to making it even better, he noted.

Passionate about developing a trail system that his children can enjoy once they become older, Ake volunteered with Greenprints Alliance and was elected to the organization's Board of Directors in 2014. He served as vice chair in 2015 and was elected chairman in 2016, a position he currently holds.

He represented Greenprints Alliance on the Woodstock Police Department’s Body-Worn Camera Working Group, which assisted the police department in implemented a policy that balances transparency with privacy concerns. He was also appointed to serve on the Woodstock Planning Commission by Mayor Donnie Henriques and was elected vice chair of the recommending body in January. He recently stepped down from the post to pursue his City Council bid.

“I would like to see our city prioritize infrastructure, including grid streets and trails,” Colin said. “We also need to ensure new development incorporates our unique historic feel, and is true to the long-term plans developed with citizen input.”

Colin’s service expands beyond planning to economic development and service organizations. He served on a Georgia Senate Study Committee examining opportunities and challenges facing a potential spaceport on the Georgia coast. He also assisted Woodstock and the Cherokee Office Economic Development in establishing a concept of operations and launching their entrepreneurial initiatives.

He and his family are members of and actively involved in leadership roles at Sojourn Community Church in Woodstock.

Ake earned a bachelor's degree in management and a Masters in Business Administration from the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he works full-time teaching entrepreneurship and advancing commercialization projects.

For more information, check out Ake's Facebook page dedicated to his campaign.

Image via Colin Ake