Meet a Hiram City Council Candidate

Editor's note: This is a letter to the editor, written by Hiram City Council candidate Kathy Carter.

Hi. I’m Kathy Carter. I’ve never run for public office before. When friends mentioned that there might be an opening in the city council & suggested I’d be good on the council I said, “Not me! I don’t know anything about city politics," and they answered that was what would make me effective…that and the fact that I care.

I’ve lived in Hiram almost seven years having moved here from West Palm Beach, FL. One of my dearest friends and her family have lived in Hiram for years.  I’ve been visiting here since the 1970’s and watched Hiram grow from a little place that I had trouble finding to a place that I’m happy to call home. I always tell people that everything I need is right here within a 3 mile radius; shopping, banking, a park to take my 3 year old grandbaby to feed ducks, my office (less than 2 miles up the road) and the Silver Comet Trail which I walk on (that's my goal) 3-4 times a week.

I’m employed by Family Intervention Specialists, Inc. in Hiram My training is in social work but my title is Community Outreach Specialist.  I’m community minded and am a board member of the Family Alliance of Paulding located here in Hiram under the water tower. Through my employment I’m involved in many community initiatives across Paulding County.

I’ve been asked what I’d do if elected.  Since running for council person is a fairly new concept I haven’t constructed any solid plans but I’d like to be part of helping Hiram continue to move in the positive direction I’ve seen it expand since moving here.  It’s a family-focused community with old fashioned values. I’ve watched as some of the stores in Old Hiram closed & I’d very much like to see Old Town Hiram come back to life. Hand in hand with downtown development is economic development. We could use some new businesses to fall in love with our town and see the value of setting up shop. I enjoy the community events we have; Christmas in Old Hiram, 5K's along the Silver Comet Trail, etc.  I’d like to be part of bringing more of those events to town to encourage citizens to feel connected and develop a solid sense of community.  Hope that answers most of your questions. I do care about Hiram and I’m proud to have made it my home.  I've got a lot of enthusiasm and energy and I catch on fast... so I just might be able to help make a difference if elected to the Hiram City Council.

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