Meet the Candidates: Mark Kiddoo

For the city of Loganville, three at-large seats are open on the council and the mayor's seat also is open. Seven residents have qualified as candidates for the council, and two candidates are running for mayor. Mark Kiddoo is one of the candidates running for city council.

Name:  Mark Kiddoo
How long have you lived in Loganville? I have lived in Loganville 14 years.
Educational background:  I am a previous Acting Mayor and current Vice Mayor.  I am an Executive Board member for the Gwinnett Municipal Association.  I have an MBA in International Business from Georgia State University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Management also from Georgia State University.  I am an Eagle Scout, a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Community Planning Academy and was a core member of Loganville’s Livable Centers Initiative study. 
Family: My wife Susan and I have been married for 17 wonderful years and we have two children, Kimberly and Derek.
Military background: None
Occupation: I am a home educator.

How many terms/years have you served on the council? I have served on the council for 9 years.

What inspired you to run for re-election? Loganville has survived the recent economic downturn without layoffs, furloughs, or a reduction in service. As Chairman of the Finance and Audits committee, I would like to think I had a small hand in this, but the real credit goes to our City Manager, department heads, and our hardworking city employees. I believe the worst is behind us, but we still need to carefully watch our budget so we do not find ourselves in financial woes in the future. There are many things the Loganville would like to do in the near future, but we need to be mindful of the strain on our budget.

We need to work to bring quality jobs to Loganville.  Recently Loganville established an economic incentive plan, TJ Maxx, Colonial Buick, and Trinity Christian Academy have all benefited from our incentive program.  Additionally, we have recently signed a contract with a retail recruiting company, who will help us attract quality retailers and restaurants to Loganville.  We are also continuing to talk to movie theaters to bring some entertainment projects to Loganville. 

Working from the ideas generated from the Livable Centers Initiative, we need to work with Georgia Department of Transportation to create solutions to our traffic congestion and some problem intersections.  Using SPLOST money, not tax payer’s dollars, we can have an impact on the traffic congestion.

What are some of the notable projects you've helped or spearheaded in the past? Some of the more recent projects include, the construction of the Ray Nunley Pavilion and town green, this is the gem and the beginning of our revitalization of the downtown business district. We look forward to many concerts, events and movies to be hosted at the Ray Nunley Pavilion. 

As I have mentioned, we have developed an economic incentive program and the retail recruiting company to help attract businesses to Loganville.  Loganville has added sidewalks throughout the city.  These sidewalks allow people to walk for exercise and trek to many of our retail establishments.  On the campaign trail I have talked with several people thrilled they can now take their morning walk outside their subdivision and see the city.

Using SPLOST dollars Loganville has recently added our 2nd water tower and a fire station in Gwinnett County. Both of these projects allow Loganville to increase the service to our residents.

We are continuing to restore the historic Rock Gym.  The Rock Gym, whose corner stone was set by Eleanor Roosevelt (as the story goes) when complete this beautiful facility will be available to rent for events and will provide an additional community room for Loganville. 

What are some of the immediate projects you want to work on if you win the council seat? How would you accomplish them? I look forward to continuing our working with the Mayor, city staff and other elected officials to attract quality businesses to Loganville in order to balance our tax receipts.  The city will be better able to survive future economic downturns if we are not so reliant on a few revenue sources. The economic incentive program will help Loganville keep our competitive advantage over surrounding cities.

I look forward to continuing our working with the Mayor, city staff and other elected officials to complete our first full year of concerts, movies and events at the Ray Nunley Pavilion. These events will continue to bring people downtown and introduce them to our retailers and hopefully the new businesses as they open.

I look forward to continuing our working with the Mayor, city staff and other elected officials to completing the restoration of the historic Rock Gym. 

I look forward to continuing our working with the Mayor, city staff and other elected officials to expanding our sidewalks and allow Loganville residents to exercise or shop.

I look forward to continuing our working with the Mayor, city staff and other elected officials to create a strong working relationship with Georgia Department of Transportation to improve our traffic problems.

What are some of your long-term goals for the city? How would you accomplish it?  Long term, Loganville will need to expand our infrastructure to accommodate the new people and businesses.  We have jumped through all of the regulatory hoops and are prepared to expand our sewage treatment plant we needed. 

We are already working with Georgia Department of Transportation to reduce our traffic headaches.  We will continue to work in a cooperative way with Gwinnett County and Georgia Department of Transportation to improve the conditions of our roads and the traffic flow.

Loganville needs to smartly consider our growth so that we may balance our tax digest.  A balanced tax digest will allow Loganville to better weather an economic downturn.  We have done a good job keeping an eye on the taxpayer’s dollars, but we have learned that, in this regard, we must always strive to do better.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Loganville, and how would you approach it? Loganville’s greatest challenge is the opportunities our future holds.  Loganville has many paths to walk in the future.  As elected officials, it is our job not to be distracted by the things in the peripheral, but to stay focused on the future to ensure we do not miss the opportunities as they arrive.

Do you want to add anything?  As we move into the future, we need to be aware not only of our fiduciary responsibilities, but be mindful that we are accountable to the people and businesses of Loganville today and in the future. 

I have the proven leadership abilities to keep Loganville moving forward with smart, controlled growth.  My commitment is to continue to work for all citizens of Loganville and I ask for your vote so I can continue to help move Loganville forward the next four years.  I am working for a better tomorrow every day.

As a reminder, residents can early vote at Loganville City Hall October 14-November 1 or vote on election day (November 5) at the Rock Gym.  Voters can vote for three people for City Council, I ask that you cast one of those votes for Mark Kiddoo.