Mayor Tony Paulk has announced his intention to seek re-election for the upcoming election later this year. This week, he released a statement announcing his candidacy:
“Leadership Matters! I am grateful, honored and consider it a blessing to represent the citizens of Douglas. During the Paulk administration, our leadership team has created a harmonious environment for citizens, small business owners, and industries to thrive. I am announcing my candidacy for Mayor of the City of Douglas.
“Leadership Matters! Over the past seven years, our city has dramatically changed our strategy towards retail recruitment and quality of life enhancement. The citizens entrusted the leadership to create a Tax Allocation District (TAD). Our citizens provided the leadership of our community with a financial tool to enhance the quality of life of the citizens of Douglas-Coffee County. With the TAD as a resource, we were able to attract Hobby Lobby, Jersey Mike’s, CRMC Urgent Care, Starbucks, Mavis Tire Center, Chick-Fil A, Marshall’s, Five Below, PetSmart, Publix, and 3 more (soon to be named) to locate in the City of Douglas. The development within the TAD has served as a spark that has ignited private investors to reinvest in other areas of our community. Bobby’s Treat Shop, Danny’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Wendy’s and local investments throughout downtown have built new and rehabbed buildings to better serve our community. As you visit other cities, shopping malls and/or shopping centers are vacant. With the addition of Aaron’s, Ollie’s, Rose’s, and Goodwill has kept our largest shopping center vibrant.
“Leadership Matters! The City of Douglas has been focused on Quality of Life. We have rehabbed and added on to City Hall, built the new Premier sports complex, new pool, new splash pad, new Miracle Field, and completed the walking trial by extending the trail from the trestle to Jardine Stadium. The trail now runs from the Douglas Square (old high school) to Jardine Stadium. The length of the trail is now approximate 4.2 miles. We are working on the largest sidewalk program since the 1960-1970’s. We are working on plans for parks of Unity, Roundtree, Eastside, and Wheeler. Public Safety calls (both fire and police) are down.
“Leadership Matters! Douglas-Coffee County continues to add new jobs and grow existing jobs. Through our relationships with our co-agency partners, we have been able to achieve this. Our community is fortunate to have Walmart and Pilgrim’s reinvesting in our community. The manufacturing of cargo trailers within Douglas-Coffee County has exploded. The hospital has expanded services so that citizens/patients don’t have to travel out of town. We have been part of Unison’s mental health expansion. We are currently working with the Head Start program to expand that service. South Georgia State College and Wiregrass Technical Colleges continues to expand academic programs, rehab existing buildings, and building new buildings.
“Leadership Matters! During the past couple of years, Douglas-Coffee County has faced a few challenges. During the worldwide Covid pandemic, we were in the middle of this event providing leadership. When the world was facing this world-wide pandemic, we gathered the leadership of Douglas-Coffee County to discuss our plan of action. We held numerous meetings with industry leaders and business owners prior to activating our action plan. Our decisions were to keep our citizens safe, lessen the negative impact on businesses, and allow for opportunities for our religious community to continue to worship.
“Leadership Matters! Our city experienced a train derailment. The first responders were on the scene within minutes. While walking the train derailment site with the City Manager, we made real time decisions ensuring the safety of our community.
“Leadership Matters! The city of the Douglas experienced, while bringing online a new water tank, the largest water break in the City’s history. The City Manager and I were on the scene making real time decisions. With the concern of safety of our employees, the decision to turn off the entire water system was made which allowed our employees to remain safe.
“Leadership Matters! I am honored and humbled to serve as YOUR mayor, the Mayor of Douglas. I care for and love this community. I am announcing my 2023 candidacy for the position of Mayor. With your prayers, support, and vote, I would like to continue to serve as the Mayor of Douglas.”