Gravitt Says He'll Run for Mayor of Cumming - Again

Mayor H. Ford Gravitt, 71, who has been in public office for more than four decades, will seek re-election.

Gravitt, first elected as mayor in 1970, made it official on Monday, the first day of the qualifying period for the November general election, according to City Administrator Gerald Blackburn.

Gravitt announced his intentions at last week’s city council meeting.

"I will be a candidate for the upcoming election, city election, for the next four years and I look forward to continue my work for the people of Cumming and Forsyth County," Gravitt said.

Gravitt first took office in January, 1971. This is his 42nd year as the Chief Elected Official of the City of Cumming, according to the City of Cumming website. He also served four years as city councilman prior to becoming mayor.

Gravitt said in recent weeks he has received numerous phone calls and cards from supporters telling him that they like what the city has to offer, the campus of the new University of North Georgia, and the fact there are no property taxes to pay.

"For over 35 years the city hasn't charged property owners any city tax, property tax," he said. "They like that very much."

He also said they [supporters] like the other entities that call Cumming home, like the Cumming Regional Readiness Center, the Cumming Aquatic Center, the new building of the Georgia Department of Driver Services, and the construction of the new Forsyth County Courthouse and jail.

Other seats up for grabs include those currently held by Councilmen Rupert Sexton, 75, Post 1 and Quincy Holton, 77, Post 2. Sexton, who was first elected to office in 1970, took office in January 1971 making this his 42nd year as councilman. Holton was first elected to office in 1968, taking office January 1, 1969, making this his 44th year as a councilman. 

Also, both Sexton and Holton qualified for their seats, and as of Tuesday morning, Aug. 27, there were no other mayoral or city council candidates.

Qualifying for the 2013 municipal election continues through Friday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m.  Qualifying fees are $360 for mayor and $180 for council. Candidates must be at least 21, have lived in Cumming for at least a year, and be registered to vote in the city.

The general election is Nov. 5.

In other City Council news:

• Council voted to close Mason Street, located adjacent to the Dairy Queen, to allow service trucks access to the Forsyth County courthouse construction site. The street will close daily from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and will reopen from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. It will close again from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m. until the project is complete. 

• The grand opening of the Cumming Regional Readiness Center located adjacent from the Cumming Aquatic Center off Pilgrim Lake Road will be on Sept. 14 at 11 a.m.

• The city was awarded an AWRF (Advanced Water Reclamation Facility) 15-year platinum award by the Georgia Association of Water Professionals and the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

• Sept. 2-6, 2013 has been proclaimed Civic Participation Week.

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