Politics & Government

Neal Hopes to Hold Council Seat

The 41-year Powder Springs resident plans to run for her second four-year term in November's elections.

It’s the projects that are started but not finished in Powder Springs that make Rosalyn Neal want a second four-year term as an at-large council member.

A couple major ones that quickly come to her mind are further extending Lewis Road to Old Lost Mountain Road just before Sailors Parkway “if all goes right,” and the unfinished Cultural Arts Center at the that should be with .

“It needs to be finished,” she said of the center. “It’s just sitting there. You don’t need anything sitting like that—it just deteriorates. It needs to be used.”

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A woman who believes that age is of no importance, Neal came to the city 41 years ago from Lawrenceville. Her former husband got a job in Marietta, a city which she said didn’t seem too appealing to live in.

“He had a friend (and) he said, ‘Come on out to Powder Springs,’” she said. “Well we came out to Powder Springs and we’ve been here ever since.”

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Born in Macon and raised in Gray, GA, Neal has one son and three grandchildren, the youngest of which from and is attending college.

She was the president of the PTA “years ago” and was on the Planning and Zoning Commission for five years. And then, an at-large council seat opened up four years ago.

“It became vacant, and I thought I could do something for the city,” she said. “I think I have.”

Some of the actions she said she’s proud of as a councilwoman include the extension of Lewis Road that’s already completed, the , sidewalk renovations, and the upcoming remodeling of the old police station for court services and city storage.

“It’s just a number of things … and Powder Springs looks good—it really looks good and I’m proud of it,” Neal said. 

She joked about how some have called the recently opened Lewis Road extension, which connects C. H. James Parkway and Marietta Street, a “road to nowhere.” Stretching it to Old Lost Mountain Road would alleviate it of the nickname, she theorized.

“I think more people would use it. … That’s another thing I’d like to see finished,” Neal said. “Some things you start and you really like to see them completed.”

The election is scheduled for Nov. 8. Fellow at-large council member , as well as Mayor Pat Vaughn’s, are up for grabs. Bevirt and Vaughn both plan to run for reelection.

Those wanting to run for mayor are required to pay a $540 fee, while those who plan to run for one of the two city council seats must pay $360.

The fees are part of the qualifying process, which also includes paperwork, according to the city’s website. The paperwork must be completed at on either Aug. 30, Aug. 31, or Sept. 1 between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. or 2 and 4:30 p.m.

Candidates must have been a resident of Powder Springs for at least one year upon applying, must continue to live in the city during their term, and must continue to be registered and qualified to vote in city elections.

Vaughn makes a base annual salary of $18,000, while council members receive $12,000.


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