Eatonton Ward 3 Councilman-elect Fred Lowe was not available to comment this week, but he used a Facebook livestream address late last week to thank voters for their support and outline his priorities as he prepares to take office early next year.
Lowe defeated incumbent Councilwoman Janie Reid in the Nov. 4 municipal election, receiving 225 votes to Reid’s 125, according to official results released Nov. 7 by City Clerk Maria Jimenez.
“I am honored and humbled to have been elected to serve,” Lowe said in his online address. “This victory is not about me or any one person. It’s about us as a city. I’m thankful that we will be able to work together to move Eatonton forward.”
Lowe expressed deep gratitude to everyone who cast a ballot, especially first-time and younger voters who he said might have felt discouraged in past elections.
“Your vote is your voice,” he said. “I hope this election showed people that their voice truly matters.”
He also acknowledged Reid’s service to the city.
“Anybody who serves people or serves in any public position knows that it is not always easy,” Lowe said. “I respect and acknowledge the time, energy, and dedication that Mrs. Janie Reid has given to our city.”
Looking ahead, Lowe said he plans to focus on economic development, infrastructure, and community engagement. He emphasized a need to attract new business to Eatonton while continuing to support existing entrepreneurs.
“We have to land new opportunities that will strengthen our local economy,” he said. “We want family-friendly entertainment, sit-down restaurants, and retail options that will help ensure sustainable progress for our city.”
Lowe turned his attention toward young people again, too, saying there’s a real need to create paths “that give them hope and success.”
Affordable housing, road improvements, and safer sidewalks are also on Lowe’s wish list. He said he wants Eatonton to be “a place where every person and every family that wants to call it home will be able to do so.”
Transparency and communication, two themes he emphasized during his campaign, will remain cornerstones of his leadership, he said.
“We don’t want to lose that. This is not a time to change,” Lowe said. “We want to keep people informed and let them know what’s happening.”
Lowe shared that the days following the election were both joyous and exhausting for him. After spending several weeks campaigning, he said he was “barely making it” on election night.
“I took a couple of days to get myself together,” he admitted. “But now I’m feeling better, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Lowe ended his online address with a message promoting unity and optimism.
“Even if you didn’t vote for me, that’s okay, that’s democracy,” he said. “What matters now is that we come together to make Eatonton a better place. Let’s move forward together.”