A few years ago, Bill Minor was at the center of a battle to keep property adjoining his residential neighborhood from being zoned commercial.

“We need to take advantage of the future land use plan and use that as a basis,” said Minor. “We know there will be some modification, but we need to be careful about changing the  plan.”

Last Thursday, Minor announced he will run for the District 3 seat on the Dawson County Board of Commissioners. The seat is currently held by Mike Connor.

Connor has not said if he will seek re-election.

Minor is the second to announce a run for the seat.

Lionel Graves, who currently sits on the Dawson County Planning Commission as Connor’s appointment, said last month he will also run.

A Republican who moved to Dawson County about three years ago, Minor, 64, worked as a project manager for nine years at Emory University in the facilities management division, overseeing various construction and renovation projects at campus facilities.

Minor is now a project manager with a general contracting firm, which he said has given him the ability to combine his skills in construction management with his love of the environment.

As a LEED accredited professional, he said he supports construction projects that utilize products and construction methods that are sustainable and environmentally sound.

Minor said his management experience and his ability to work with individuals with conflicting points of view, which he describes as essential in effective government leadership, will be an asset for the commission and the county.

“Communication and effective persuasion are the major components of my ability to complete projects on time, within budget, and with the desired quality of the completed project and I fully intend to bring these skills to good use if the voters of Dawson County see fit to elect me to the Dawson County Commission,” Minor said.

Minor and his wife Treva live in The Gates of Etowah subdivision, where he serves as the president of the homeowner’s association. 

He has also served on the board of directors for the Dawson County Homeowner’s Association. 

The couple attends the First Baptist Church of Dawsonville, where he serves as a Deacon.

The General Primary will be held July 20 with polls open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Qualifying will run from 9 a.m. April 24 until noon April 30.