Newton Citizen

Photo by Crystal Tatum

COVINGTON -- Ronald Martin is running for the Post 2, East Ward seat on the Covington City Council.

Martin, 67, is a retired Newton County native who describes himself as a fiscal conservative with a persistent personality.

"If a problem comes up, I'm not one to look into it and let it go. I get an answer one way or another. I get the truth out of it," he said.

Martin said he doesn't cater to special interests or give in to pressure.

"I am not a yes man to anybody. If I feel like something's right, I have to be proven wrong," he said.

Following a career in the construction business, Martin said he never intended to be a politician, but he wants to help make sure his home city continues on the path to success, especially in these tough economic times.

If elected, Martin said his goals would be to be more persistent in getting new businesses in town, provide residents with more opportunities to give input and help contribute to a more team-like, cooperative spirit on the council. He also wants to keep expenses down.

"I feel like there have been things purchased, and I'm not going to go into what they are, that should not have been bought at this time. We need to take care of the taxpayers of this town and before we buy something, see what they want to do," he said.

Martin promised to keep his ears open to what taxpayers want.

"I'm retired and I have plenty of time to listen to people and I'm more than glad to work with people. Anything that comes up, good or bad, I'll get a response back to them in a reasonable time," he said.

Martin said his business experience and knowledge would be an asset to the city. He retired from PlyMart Building Supply, where he was a regional manager over four operations and served as a member of the company's senior management team, a nine-member board that oversaw the company's operations and multi-million-dollar budget. He worked at PlyMart for 18 years. Prior to that, he was in inside sales for Williams Bros. Lumber Company and Concrete. He spent his whole career in the construction trade, and has built everything from houses to high rises.

Martin attended Newton High School, leaving before graduation to enter the working world. He has taken several business courses for his work with PlyMart and Williams Brothers. He is a member of North Covington Methodist Church. He and his wife of 47 years, Judy, have one daughter, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Martin faces incumbent Mike Whatley in the Nov. 1 Municipal Election. Qualifying takes place Aug. 29 to Sept. 2.