By Maggie Behringer
Correspondent
DALTON, Ga. -- Drawing on a background of business and volunteer work, the Dalton City Council's new 4th Ward alderman, Gary Crews, aims to strengthen the city's economy and quality of life.
"This is the best opportunity to take in serving my community," Mr. Crews said.
He was sworn in May 17 and replaces Charlie Bethel, who is running to replace Don Thomas in the Georgia Senate. Mayor David Pennington said he thinks Mr. Crews is the ideal candidate to share the council's vision.
"Without a doubt, he's someone I'm happy with. He's a business person; he's been very involved in the community," Mr. Pennington said. "He's going to do a very good job for the community."
Mr. Crews manages Mednow, a medical clinic in Dalton. He lived in Atlanta and Chattanooga, attending Tyner High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He moved to Dalton in 1980 as a retail manager with Athletic Attic and worked for a time at another sporting goods warehouse store. He is the Whitfield County Republican Party chairman and sells real estate, and he has been active with United Way and other programs.
"Coming from a retail background, you're always working," Mr. Crews said.
PERSONAL GLANCE
* Name: Gary D. Crews
* Age: 52
* Position: Practice manager at Mednow, new Dalton City Council member
* Family: Wife, Kimberly Gardener Crews; son, John, a junior at Savannah College of Art and Design; daughter Cara, a senior at Dalton High School headed to UTC in the fall.
His focus remains local. He sees the council charged not only with governing and business responsibilities but with rethinking ways of promoting Dalton. He specifically values the small-town character, the public education and the economic development potential, he said.
"At the local level, we have more of an opportunity to do things that are going to affect our lifetime," Mr. Crews said.
Growing the community in such a way, he added, will create the kind of community to which Dalton's younger generations will want and be able to return. Achieving that will require close collaboration among the various boards, organizations and commissions, he said.
"I want to help everyone work together to accomplish the mutual goals we want to accomplish," Mr. Crews said.
Maggie Behringer writes about Dalton and Whitfield County. Contact her at maggie.behringer@gmail.com.
Continue reading by following these links to related stories:
Article: Dalton swears in new alderman
Article: Dalton hopes projects will attract new businesses
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