Suffridge will not seek a second term as Mayor
The city of Aragon will be electing a new mayor in the coming election cycle following the decision by current Mayor Ken Suffridge to not seek a second term in office.
Suffridge released the following statement to the Standard Journal about his decision to finish out his term and leave the Mayor’s seat.
“There are several reasons I’m not seeking a second term as mayor; one of the reasons is a need to re-charge my batteries. We retired to this area 15 years ago, and those close to me know I’ve been involved with many activities in Polk County since 2001. We have been very involved with the two Methodist churches where we’ve been members, I’ve served on Aragon and Polk County’s Planning Commissions, the Polk County Board of Elections. I’ve been Chairman of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Polk Tourism Committee, Master of Ceremonies for eight years of the Homespun Festival, Chairman of the Annual Aragon BBQ
and other countywide acti-vities, all the while representing Aragon.”
“Maybe it’s time to slow down a little as I approach my 79th birthday in January 2016,” he said.
“I can say it now because I’m not running: It is a sacrifice for the person in office, and it’s a sacrifice for their f amily. It’s not a parttime job like people t hink,”
said Suffridge, who has served as Mayor since 2012.
Before moving to Aragon he served as a District Commissioner in Gwinnett County, representing the fastest growing Commission district in America, with an estimated population of 186,000 in his District alone, including five cities.”
Suffridge said in his statement that “being retired was beneficial serving as mayor,” but, he said, “even though it is a part-time position, I approached it as a full-time job, and the demands of public service - big or small - require a fire and passion that I don’t think I can sustain through another term, although I have enjoyed serving. It’s only fair to my family and friends that I don’t seek a second term.
“At some point you realize you need to step back. During a recent family discussion, we talked about how many of our family and long time friends live out of town, or out of state. Realizing I’ve been around for almost eight decades, really puts things in perspective. Being mayor has been hard on family, and it just made me think, you know, life is short, and I’ve been fully engaged in everything I’ve ever done since I was 16 … maybe it’s time to take a break.
“Many have expected me to run for re-election, especially with what I have accomplished as Mayor over the past three-and-a-half years, however, some will be happy I’m not seeking a second term,” he said. “As any elected official knows, there are always nay-sayer’s and detractors, and we all know that goes with the territory. As one long time Aragon resident recently told me; Mayor, those of us who know, know!”
“I am proud of the things accomplished during my term as mayor, and I say, with pride and certainty, I left the City in far better shape than it was when I was swornin,” Suffridge said.
He plans to continue advocating for things he cares about in his community, although he has no interest in seeking any other elected position in the future.
Suffridge said he will continue serving as Mayor until midnight on December 31, and after leaving office, will continue helping local and state officials.
As for who will fill the role of Mayor, Suffridge isn’t worried; “I’m sure someone will surface,” he said. “They always do.”