Candidate profiles: Goodlett wants to be peoples’ voice

Published 11:55 pm Saturday, October 31, 2015

Tyree Goodlett says many Dalton residents don’t have time to attend City Council meetings.

“They might have to work. They might have other conflicts,” he said. “The council can’t wait for people to come to them. They have to be proactive, to get out in the street and let people know what is going on and to find out what the people want to see done.”

Goodlett, who is challenging incumbent George Sadosuk for the Ward 3 seat on the council in Tuesday’s election, says he’ll be such a proactive council member.

Born and raised on Dalton and a 1995 graduate of Dalton High School, Goodlett is making his first run for elected office.

“Dalton is very diverse, and some people may not feel like they have a voice. I want to be that voice,” he said. “But I want to represent the whole city. I think we are only going to move forward if we move together.”

Goodlett said he has a long history of community involvement that shows he is able to reach out and connect with people from across different backgrounds.

Goodlett is a member of Rock Bridge Community Church who volunteers with the children’s ministry.

He is also a cubmaster with a Cub Scout troop that meets at the Mack Gaston Community Center.

“I love being out in the community and volunteering. I’ve been recognized by the United Way for over 500 hours of volunteer service,” he said. “Two friends and I started HOPE — Helping Others Prepare and Excel — which has helped hundreds of elementary kids receive Christmas gifts — toys, clothes, shoes. We also make sure they have at least one Christmas meal for their family.”

Goodlett says the council is going to have to work with other local entities to move the city forward. He points to the property tax rate as an example of why governments need to find ways to help each other.

“The City Council has cut property taxes for each of the last eight years, but the people aren’t feeling it because it’s being offset by other things,” he said. “The city property tax rate might go down, but if the school property tax rate goes up and if the county property tax rate goes up, people aren’t going to notice.”

Goodlett says council members need to continue to work with Dalton State College and the Board of Regents to create a presence for the college downtown. But he says in the meantime city leaders can work to build closer ties with the college.

“It may be something as simple as asking the volleyball team to come down to the community center and work with some of the kids,” he said. “Once we get things like that started, maybe the regents will see the value of bringing some classes or something like that downtown.”

Goodlett and his wife Ana have been married 11 years.

“We have a son, Junior, who is 9, and a daughter, Kamea, who is 5,” he said.

He works at the Dixie Group in merchandising and marketing and also works part time at Cracker Barrel. Goodlett attended Dalton State College and is now enrolled in Georgia Perimeter College, majoring in business.

“I’m a people person. I want to be that person you can always contact, not just when you have a problem but when you have a question,” he said.