Burkhart (Incumbent)

Judson L. Burkhart, 56, has served as Fort Oglethorpe’s mayor since 2000. He was born in Chattanooga and has lived in the Fort Oglethorpe area for the past 27 years.

A small business owner for 30 years, he is a 1968 graduate of Miami Dade University with an associate’s degree in aerospace flight engineering, with a commercial and instrument license.

He said he is a graduate of the University of Georgia Municipal Training Institute the Georgia Academy for Economic Development.

Burkhart also served two terms on the Fort Oglethorpe City Council during 1987-90 and 1997-99, and said some of his accomplishments include: legislation for homestead exemptions for every citizen and a homestead exemption for the disabled; a 25 percent increase in commercial businesses, including a new car dealership, Sale Ford; grants totaling more than $2 million; 42 acres for a new city recreation complex; and “one of the most important is the right of citizens to speak at City Council meetings and express their views and concerns.”

If re-elected, Burkhart said he hopes to continue working on increasing fire and police protection; move ballfields off Barnhardt Circle; upgrade sewers and complete Chickamauga Creek sewer interceptor for a city industrial park; revitalize downtown and historical areas through grant funding; give terminated employees the right to appeal to the City Council; and transfer power and authority back to the mayor and City Council from the city manager.

Marks

Ken Marks, 52, has been a Fort Oglethorpe resident for 33 years. He and his wife, Jan, have two children, Mark and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Branson and Lindsey.

Marks is a 1969 graduate of Rossville High School and a 1974 graduate of Walker Technical School. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army where he served in Vietnam and won the Bronze Star for Valor and the Air Medal.

He is a member of the Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis Club and the VFW American Legion. He is an active member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Chickamauga.

Marks served as Fort Oglethorpe’s representative on the Coosa Valley Regional Development Center and was elected to the Executive Board. He served as City Clerk for two years.

He was a member of the Fort Oglethorpe Recreation Association for 20 years, served as president for three years, vice president for two years, and baseball commissioner for three years.

Marks coached youth baseball, basketball and football teams for 20 years, including two state championship baseball teams, the 1981 Fort Oglethorpe eight-year-old team and the 1986 Fort Oglethorpe 13-year-old team.

His hobbies include football, baseball and basketball.

Marks has been honored to serve the residents of Fort Oglethorpe for the last four years as a City Council member. He loves being a servant of the citizens and helping people by being involved in the community.

Moye (Incumbent)

Jane Moye is seeking another term on the Fort Oglethorpe City Council. Moye has served on the council the last four years. She is employed as a real estate appraiser at Rominger & Associates.

During Moye’s term on the City Council, she has completed 72 hours of training through the University of Georgia Municipal Institute.

Moye does not support establishing a new public safety director position for the city, but pledges continued support of the city’s police and fire departments for the safety of Fort Oglethorpe citizens.

“The city does not need another administrator position; we need more police officers patrolling our city,” she said.

The accomplishment Moye is most proud of during her tenure on the City Council is the passage of the city’s homestead exemption and the disabled homestead exemption, she said.

“The citizens are constantly told we need more money, but they never see any of their services increase — just the city’s spending,” she said. “With the passage of the exemptions, they realize for once their concerns are put on the front burner.”

If re-elected, Moye said she will continue to listen and put the citizens’ concerns first.

Loyd

Fred Loyd, former planning and zoning director for Fort Oglethorpe, is a candidate for Fort Oglethorpe City Council.

Loyd is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the 1st Cavalry, 1st Armored Division and is the recipient of two purple hearts. He has two children and two grandchildren. He lives in Fort Oglethorpe and is a member of Fort Oglethorpe United Methodist Church. Loyd is currently the chief building official for Walker County.

Loyd said his goal in running for the council seat is to ensure that the city will be run in the safest, most efficient way possible and to deal appropriately with the city’s phenomenal residential and commercial growth. He is particularly committed to maintaining the excellence of Fort Oglethorpe’s fire and police departments and updating the city’s sewer system.

Loyd promises a commitment to ensure accountability of spending in every city department, thus maintaining lower taxes.

Loyd has served the city and surrounding area through organizations such as VFW Post 3679 and Fort Oglethorpe Kiwanis. His professional memberships include the Georgia Association of Zoning Administrators, Building Officials Association of Georgia, International Electrical Inspectors Association, International Code Conference, Georgia State Inspectors Associations, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He holds an electrical contractor’s license in Tennessee, Georgia and the city of Chattanooga and certification in wastewater management.

“With your help and support, our shared vision can become a reality,” he said. “Your vote is greatly appreciated.”

Egeland

Richard Egeland did not reply to The Catoosa County News’ request for biographical information.

Janow

Stan Janow said he has fond memories of serving the city 25 years ago as a council member and desires to once again serve the citizens of Fort Oglethorpe in this capacity.

Stan has served as a little league football commissioner and coached little league baseball and football. He is the owner of Stan Janow Plumbing and is a certified master plumber in Georgia and Tennessee.

He said the reason for his return to politics in Fort Oglethorpe is his desire to see a spirit of cooperation within the city council.

“It is time for all the citizens of Fort Oglethorpe to be represented at the council and put the best interest of the entire city forward in a positive light,” he said. “We have everything a major employer is looking for right here in our backyard. We just need employers to see our community in a positive light to bring more business and jobs to this area.

“I would greatly appreciate your vote and support on Nov. 4,” he said.

Stan and his wife Janie live at 114 Robert E. Lee St. He has two children, Chris Janow and Kim Jacks, and four grandchildren who live in Fort Oglethorpe.

Laney

Tim Laney is a 37-year-old father of two boys. He has resided in Fort Oglethorpe for 32 years.

Laney is a graduate of Fort Oglethorpe Elementary School, Lakeview Middle School, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

He is a member of Fyffe United Methodist Church and has been employed with the state as a certified peace officer for more than 10 years. He currently works as a probation officer.

Laney has served as president of the LFO Recreation Association for three years. Additionally, he raised and donated $10,500 to the LMS and LFO football programs in 2003.

He said he refused to accept any donations for his campaign, saying “I only owe my vote to the people.”

Laney’s goals, if elected, are: fire, police, sewer and recreation improvements; and to be financially responsible with city monies with a “no money, no spend” policy. He said he will spend only for projects that benefit all citizens, not just special interest groups; no favors for wealthy businessmen or special interest groups, and no new taxes without severe cause.

Laney adds, “The fighting between council members needs to stop. Let’s again be proud of our city leaders.