Stephen Tolson, Candidate for Dawsonville City Council.

DAWSONVILLE, Ga. – Stephen Tolson has qualified to campaign for a seat on the Dawsonville City Council and the 40-year-old father of three has all the right qualifications to become a formidable opponent.

He has a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration and a professional work experience as manager of a Cumming medical group. He also has a 20-year proven record as a dedicated public servant. He is a retired Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army.

Tolson said he has attended many city council meetings and feels he knows the issues facing a city on the verge of explosive growth.

“I’ve lived here since 2008 and the city has been in a bit of turmoil the last few years,” Tolson said. “I have traveled around the world in the army and I feel like I can bring some insight to the city council. I believe city government needs someone new who has been around and can offer a new perspective.”

Tolson recognizes that managing growth is the key issue he will face if he is elected. But he said there is another issue, less talked about perhaps, but vitally important to the community — the growing epidemic of illicit drugs.

He said it is a problem that is growing locally as well as nationally and is devastating to communities.

Having a bachelor’s degree in psychology Tolson said he has seen how destructive drug addiction can be. “It breaks my heart to see what it does to families,” Tolson said. He added that he would like to see some sort of program the city could associate itself with to help combat the epidemic.

Tolson and his wife Sandra have two sons, Tristan, 3,  and Stephen Jr., 5, and a daughter, Alejandra, 14.

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