Candidate Profile: Donnie Henriques For Cherokee Commission Chairman

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — Four candidates are running for Cherokee County Commission Chairman in the May 24 General Primary Election, in addition to others running for Board of Commissioners District 1 and 4.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as the primary draws near.

Donnie Henriques is running for Cherokee County Commission Chairman.

<b>Name</b>

Donnie Henriques

<b>Campaign website</b>

https://donnieforchair.com

<b>City or town of residence</b>

Woodstock

<b>Office sought</b>

Cherokee County Commission Chairman

<b>Party affiliation</b>

Republican

<b>Education</b>

BS Business Administration (Hotel Restaurant Management

<b>Occupation</b>

Retired Over 40 years of Managing and Owning Businesses

<b>Family</b>

Children: Derek 42, Jeremy 40, Madeline 30. Grandchildren - 4

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

no

<b>Age</b>

69

<b>Previous public office, appointive or elective</b>

Woodstock City Council member 2000-2004 Woodstock Mayor 2006-2021

<b>Why are you seeking this office?</b>

To change leadership in order to get the county ready for the next 20 years

<b>Please complete this statement: The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ___, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Growth. It's coming, so we need to have a plan to manage and allow controlled quality growth

<b>What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

Varied business background. Primary leadership role for the largest city in the county, one that is nationally recognized as one of the best in the country.

<b>If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?</b>

Created a divide between the cities and county that I had established over my years as Mayor. Spent 7 million over a 10-year period on outside legal counsel when we have inside counsel.

<b>What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?</b>

Infrastructure improvements. Empowering professional staff and upgrading the pay scale to retain all employees by doing a pay study to tell us where salaries should be

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

Woodstock being recognized as the 6th best small city to live in the entire country according to Money magazine. Oversaw the transformation of the downtown area from a sleepy little town to a destination city.

<b>What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?</b>

Never say never.

<b>Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I've always been able to have a vision in every position I've held, especially as Woodstock Mayor. Restaurants, Shops, Outlet Mall and especially the Amphitheater are my calling card.