EMANUEL RANSOM

 

Emanuel Ransom is a native of Pennsylvania and born to Rev. Charles Ransom and  Frances Ransom. He had a twin brother Enoch and a sister Elaine who are both deceased. A longtime resident of his adopted City of Clarkston he exudes a sense of excitement whenever he speaks of how much closer his “dream “ is to “becoming a reality." The reality he envisions is the eventual full-scale development of downtown Clarkston. Emanuel has worked long and hard to help realize another dream the Clarkston Community Center. He became a board member in 1991, when he chaired a citizen group that helped rejuvenate the Center. He has served as Vice President of the board of directors, chairman of Building and Grounds, and served on the Programs and Finance committees, and spends considerable volunteer time making sure the Center stays in working order. He has served as President of the Clarkston Community Center and has accomplished his dream of overseeing the 2.4 million dollar renovation which became a reality on September 8, 2007.
 

While serving in the military he acquired his college degree in social science. In addition to his valuable contribution of time and talent in support of the Center and our City, his record stands on it’s merit. He has served as chairman of the Zoning and Review Commission, and was a member of the Downtown Development Board, the LCI Core Team, and was a DeKalb County Voter Registrar for four years. He is an American Legion member, a retired Scoutmaster of the Boy Scouts of America troop #329, and from its conception a member of Vision 20/20 which is now the Clarkston Health Collaborative, and served two terms as President of Image Clarkston. He is active within the DeKalb Municipal Association and the Georgia Municipal Association.  He has served on the HOST committee for commissioner Burrell Ellis, and has worked closely with the Mayor to acquire grants for our city from DeKalb County and the State of Georgia.

He further educates himself by attending classes at ARC on what is needed to reach our goal for redevelopment.  He also serves the City as Master of Ceremonies for the annual tree lighting celebration. Mr. Ransom has served one term as a Councilman where he headed Community Affairs for our City. Mayor Howard Tygrett asked  Mr. Ransom to serve as his Vice-Mayor.  When Mayor Tygrett passed away suddenly in December 2010, Mr. Ransom stepped up to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Tygrett.  As Mayor, Mr. Ransom  has an open door policy in helping things to get done, and it also alerts him to problem that have quick solutions. He has a good working relationship with DeKalb County Commissioner Burrell Ellis, Senator Gloria Butler, and Rep. Karla Drenner and he attends meetings with Super Commissioner Kathy Gannon.  With change comes responsibility and he is committed to serving the City as Mayor in helping to bring Clarkston into the 21st century.  He strongly believes that involved citizens can make a difference through their volunteer efforts, “Working as a team is what’s it’s all about.”

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Mayor Ransom takes  ride with Team RV as part of the Peachtree
DeKalb Airport Good Neighbor Day Open House Airshow