Back Button
Branch Politics Logo

Don't waste hours Googling candidates.
Branch has information on all of your candidates, in one place.

Photo of Austin Thompson

Austin Thompson

Austin Thompson is running for City Council Member - Post 3.

Personal background

Austin immigrated to the U.S. from Guyana in 1977. He has lived in Lawrenceville for eight years, and he currently lives in the New Hope Subdivision. He has a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering, a bachelor's degree in telecommunications management, a master's degree in business administration and a master's degree in project management from DeVry University. He was on the Downtown Architectural Review Board, the "Move Lawrenceville Forward" Steering Committee, and the Lawrenceville Neighborhood Alliance. He is on the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners Development Advisory Committee.

Professional background

Austin was an electronic engineer for 17 years, in senior business development for five years, a project manager and coordinator for 25 years, an adjunct professor of business and project management at Shorter University for eight years and a small business consultant for 15 years.

Political background

Austin Thompson's campaign for city council is his first entry into politics.

TOP PRIORITY

Public Services

Wants to work with city council, developers, entrepreneurs, investors and "like-minded individuals" on economic development in Lawrenceville.

Plans to attract manufacturing and technology companies to vacant properties and open lots around the city.

Said, "I honestly believe we are saturated with restaurants and bars ... \[a\]ttracting high paying jobs to the city, the college corridor and our residents, tech or otherwise, will be great for our local economy, not another local restaurant/bar paying $3/hr with tips."

Suggest an edit

COVID

Wants to provide COVID relief to "small businesses, micro mom and pop models, and independent sole proprietors."

Suggest an edit

City Budget

As of August 23, 2021, Austin Thompson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Suggest an edit

TOP PRIORITY

Housing & Urban Development

Plans to host quarterly discussions with city leaders and organizers about how to consolidate resources for the homeless population.

Suggest an edit

TOP PRIORITY

Public Safety

As of August 23, 2021, Austin Thompson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Suggest an edit

TOP PRIORITY

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wants better sidewalks, proper lighting, bike lanes and other amenities that enhance resident quality of life in low-income housing communities and areas outside of the downtown.

Plans to provide options of citizens to get around the city, such as a private shuttle bus that would operate from 7 am until 10 pm, Monday through Saturday with limited service on Sundays.

Suggest an edit

TOP PRIORITY

Zoning

Wants to increase code enforcement, "especially in communities where residents were/are clearly violating the codes."

Suggest an edit