Published: October 25, 2009 09:24 pm      

Ray promotes growth, tourism

Michael Ray believes that with Fort Mountain as a scenic backdrop, the city of Chatsworth is strategically located to pull in tourists who are making a vacation pilgrimage.

“Tourists could get off at Cartersville (onto Highway 411), and you can go straight to Townsend, Tenn., and the Smoky Mountains,” he said. “We’re a great halfway point. Why not get them to stop in here?”

Ray grew up in Murray County and is the owner of Ray Motor Co. near Spring Place, a business his father started in 1977. He has also worked in real estate and auctions.

Ray and Celeste Martin are challenging incumbent Margaret Adams for Post 1 on the City Council in the Nov. 3 election. A 1989 graduate of Murray County High School, he is married to Cindy and they have two daughters, Cynthia, 17, and Erica, 15, who attend the high school.

Ray also cited “economic diversity and growth” as areas where change is needed in Chatsworth.

“I want us to get new businesses and to grow, but I want us to keep that small town feel,” he said. “Other communities have done it — look at Ellijay or drive up to (Highway) 64 and look at Ocoee (in Tennessee). They’re growing and other areas are growing. Why not us?”

Ray said the freeport referendum on the city ballot is an idea whose time has come.

“I think the greatest thing we could do is pass it,” he said. “There would be less tax on inventory, and it would make business come to us. There’s huge commercial buildings sitting empty, and having that tax eliminates jobs that should be here.”

Ray said one of the reasons he’s running is the health of Adams, who has missed several council meetings in recent years.

“If I felt like her health was there, I wouldn’t have run,” he said. “But someone needs to be there who can come to the meetings. She’s done a good job, but let’s get a City Council that has some youth on it. They’ve done a good job of conserving money and the city’s in great shape financially. I believe with our sales tax money we can keep our property taxes low and stimulate growth.

“But our challenges are with our water and sewer and trying to bring industry in. It’s hard to accept change, but sometimes you’ve just got to go with it. I would be willing to work on committees to try to help bring in new business growth.”

Ray said his campaign is going well.

“There’s a lot of people I haven’t got out and talked to yet, but it takes time and I’m going to do that,” he said. “I appreciate everyone’s support.”