Rutherford Weekly

Page 24 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, October 24-October 30, 2019 I'm committed to building on the momentum generated by the improvements and transformations our town has experienced during my first term. For this to happen, we must constantly have greater goals. With your support, I'll continue to serve with Forest City's best interest in mind. -Justin Early Voting through NOv. 1st Election Day Nov. 5th PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT JUSTIN CONNER FOREST CITY COMMISSIONER When Austin received a job offer in Asheville, we made the decision to leave Raleigh and become homeowners in the Town of Forest City. Over the last few years as we visited home, we continued to notice the development of our downtown area and the active community of young couples and families. POPS was being built, the Thermal Belt Rail Trail project was underway, and new restaurants and unique shops continued to pop up. Now, we regularly enjoy all of these things as residents. It is so hard to believe that our beautiful downtown is full of life and business seven days of the week. So much of the change that prompted us to return home and be happy here is due in part to Justin Conner and his instrumental role as a town council member. Justin was a teacher and coach to each of us during high school and was always an active member of the community before he was a council member. He continues to work to ensure that Forest City moves in the right direction to be the kind of town people choose to live in and return to. His perspective is needed on our council. Please join us in voting for Justin Conner! As a realtor, my clients continually comment about how the small town of Forest City boasts such a historic, yet updated downtown area with amazing shopping, dining, and entertainment. Justin Conner has been an integral part of the success of this town. For this reason, when I go to the polls I will vote for and encourage others to vote for Justin Conner for the Forest City Town Council. I've commuted back and forth to Spartanburg for work for 16 years now. Several years ago I considered moving to South Carolina and had looked at several apartments there. Forest City didn't, at the time, have opportunities that allowed me to go out after work and socialize with friends and meet new people. Our sidewalks rolled up at 5pm and nothing was open on the weekend. Now I am proud that our town has places I can actually bring my South Carolina friends to on nights and weekends. We can go out and enjoy live music and fellowship at so many places in Forest City -- and not just downtown! Today, I voted for a person who I know was involved in this transformation even before he was a council member. Justin Connerand Stacey Holland Conner took a chance on bringing their business to a place that had an unknown market. Not only has their business been successful, but Justin has worked to make sure Forest City continues to grow on the success of the entire town. Justin Conner stopped by to see me today! Please vote again for a great man and a great Town Commissioner who wants to see Forest City to continue to grow! I've lived in Forest City my whole life with the exception of being away at college for 4 years and even then I couldn't stay away. I'm one of the few who came back to their hometown. People don't understand why I left Charlotte to go back to FC. Before I left home there was literally nothing to do in town for people my age BUT... here we are several years later and we have one of the cutest, friendliest, growing towns by far. I've known Justin for almost 10 years. He's been my teacher, my boss as well as my friend. He has helped this town fl ourish since being on Forest City's Town Council and I hope to see him be able to continue to keep improving this little town I call home. Except for nine months of my life, I have lived in Forest City. I have been proud to say that this town is a good place to call home. Thanks to a group of smart, forward-thinking men who served as mayor, commissioners, and town clerk, the municipality purchased electricity to sell to its residents. Revenue from that bold move fi nanced the town services and added to a strong reserve which continues today. Largely, that income has grown to allow Forest City to "do things"--Christmas decorations, recreational facilities, street and road maintenance, sewer services, and a beautiful downtown. The latest addition to our Parks and Recreation system is our wonderful Forest City Pavilion On Park Square - POPS, which quickly went from a plan to reality. This was created by our current city administration. This all happened because of the people who were bold enough in their thinking and decision making to know that in addition to serving all the people, the park can become a source of revenue, bringing people, tourists, and locals to our town. They have done all this AND reduced our tax rate. Please vote for Dee Dee Griffi th Bright and Justin Conner. I think they should be re-elected to the commission on November 5 so that they can continue to grow this wonderful place that we call home. Forest City has come such along way in the last few years! Driving through town before it was a ghost town after 5 pm and now you can barely fi nd parking! As a resident of Forest City, I look forward to continue seeing Forest City grow. That's why I will vote for Justin Conner again. He truly has the towns best interests at heart.

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