Candidate for County Commission Chairman
Name: Renee Duren
Age: 41
How Long have you lived in Dawson County: 10 years
Occupation: Stay-at-Home Mom
Education: Dental Assistant Certificate and Dental Radiography Certificate from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.
Political Experience: None. I believe this is my greatest asset. Too often, experienced politicians tend to forget who elected them.
Career experience: I spent most of my career in the dental field. My experience includes managing a dental practice in Atlanta, teaching dental assisting students at a Community College and working as a dental assistant. I’ve enjoyed being a stay at home mom since having my son in 2014.
Community involvement: I’m an active member of Amicalola Baptist Church, Dawsonville Civitan Club and the Dawson County Republican Party. I was actively involved in the group of citizens who opposed Etowah Village and I manage the blog, For the Love of Dawson, where I share some of my research on various county issues.
Why are you running for the County Commission Chairman seat? Our county’s future is at stake. We cannot afford to continue making decisions, such as the approval of 1,000+ homes at Crystal Falls, based on inaccurate information. I have the desire and ability to get to the bottom of issues and the courage to stand up for what’s right.
What makes you the best candidate for this position? As the mother of a kindergartener, I’m invested in the future of our county. I will do my homework on each item that comes before the BOC, value input from citizens, establish an Ethics Board made up of citizens and take a proactive approach to communication by holding a monthly town hall meeting.
How are you preparing to take office? I’ve studied past decisions made by the BOC and the impacts those decisions have had on our county and I’ve familiarized myself with ordinances, financial reports and budgets. Most importantly, I’ve been listening to Dawson County citizens and doing the homework necessary to better understand their concerns and ideas for our county.
How much time are you willing and able to contribute as a county commissioner? I will contribute as much time as necessary to effectively serve the citizens of Dawson County as their Chairman.
What do you consider to be the county’s biggest challenge now and looking forward, and how would you address this concern? I believe our biggest challenge will be maneuvering through the economic crisis created by COVID-19. The BOC will have to make some tough decisions in the coming months.
What are the top three issues you believe Dawson County is currently facing and what are your plans to address each? 1. Infrastructure improvements: Develop a Transportation Plan and put it into action based on available funding. 2. Public safety: Work with Emergency Services and Law Enforcement to ensure the safety of citizens throughout our county. 3. Growth management: Develop a Future Land Use Plan that truly reflects the citizens’ vision and consistently implement it.