Sam Evans has served on Oakwood’s council for 11 of the 20 years he has called the city home, with nine and a half years as chairman of the planning and zoning board. He is facilities manager with the Hall County Library System.

To Evans, Oakwood is “a small city with big city appeal, but without big city problems.” Citing a low residential tax base, low crime rate and accessibility to Interstate 985, Evans foresees Oakwood as a central planned community location for living, working and playing.

Evans has two children and two grandchildren. He is father to Damon Evans, Director of Athletics for the University of Georgia.

Retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 35 years, Ron McFarland brings 20 years of leadership as a city council member, including five years on the planning and zoning board. His service to the City of Oakwood totals 25 years.

 

A 32-year resident of Oakwood, McFarland finds the residents and location of Oakwood ideal. Married with two children and five grandchildren, he enjoys his role in helping the city develop so that residents, businesses and visitors may all enjoy the maximum benefits of life in Oakwood.

Robinson is a retired Oakwood resident who has served on the city council for 32 of the 35 years he has lived here. With four children and eight grandchildren, Robinson sees that much of Oakwood’s appeal is its “good, hard-working people, clean neighborhoods and great locations to work.”

 

Robinson also enjoys the close proximity to churches, schools, parks, health care and security from a dedicated city police force.

 

Robinson’s vision of a future Oakwood revolves around a vital town center that attracts new business, shopping and tourism as part of the Oakwood 2030 master plan.

Martha J. Collins has lived in Oakwood for 48 years and has served on the city council for eight years. Collins enjoys living in Oakwood because of the great quality of life it offers. She says that shopping, dining, excellent educational facilities, including a respected regional college and technical institution, and close proximity to Atlanta are added attractions to Oakwood’s small, friendly atmosphere.

 

Collins, who has four children and eight grandchildren, believes that strategic growth will both enhance and protect Oakwood’s small city appeal.