Get to Know Butch Price

Butch Price
Alderman, City of Acworth

What are your main responsibilities?
First and foremost, one of our most important responsibilities is to ensure that we have the right people employed to carry out the everyday function of our city government. We also make policy, create ordinances, approve annual budgets and schedule activities that promote our goal of having a good quality-of-life atmosphere for our residents.

Why did you want to be an alderman?
I was elected in 1995. I always had an interest in government, and I love the small-town atmosphere of the city of Acworth. With that in mind, I just wanted to be a part of planning the future growth of Acworth.

What is your background?
I graduated from college in 1964 in the field of education. I was certified to be a teacher and coach. I taught for six years and then got into school administration. I was an elementary coordinator of a federal project in the area of career education for the Cobb County School District before becoming principal of Powder Springs School. I spent my last 18 years at Acworth Elementary. I have a Bachelor of Science in education from Livingston State College in Alabama, a master’s degree in school administration from West Georgia College and an education specialist degree from the University of Georgia.

What has surprised you most as an alderman?
I would say the magnitude of how the responsibilities change as the city grows. Imagine, in 1995, with a population of roughly 3,000 residents, the services you have to provide, compared to the present-day services you provide for roughly 25,000 residents.

What is the oddest request you’ve gotten?
This occurred about 15 years ago. We were making some changes regarding trash collection. A disgruntled resident met the mayor and me at City Hall. This resident dumped a bag of trash at our feet and expressed a lot of dissatisfaction with the system. It was stated that we needed to ride the garbage trucks.

What do you like about being an alderman?
Just seeing the planning and vision of the council materialize. Seeing the downtown area some 12 to 15 years ago transform from an area of closed storefronts with no people to the vibrant downtown of today, with more parking needed. Seeing a flea market on Highway 41 (Cobb Parkway) located on a landfill transform into a much-needed commercial area with a Target store as the anchor. Seeing a couple of worn-out mobile home parks transform into commercial areas. Seeing Lake Acworth go from being closed to the public to the majestic lake of today. All of these are examples of a good quality-of-life plan.

What excites you most about Acworth’s future?
Seeing the completion of the highway project on Highway 92 and what changes that might bring. Seeing the development of townhomes in the downtown area. Seeing what development might occur with our recent annexation of an area across Lake Allatoona. Seeing the development of the old Kmart property finally get started. And seeing the changing of the guard, meaning watching the younger generation take on the leadership roles and focusing on their vision for the next 20 years.

What are your goals?
Professionally, I want to follow the leadership styles of Generation X (1965-1980), millennials (1981-1996) and Generation Z (1997-2012) and compare them to the baby boomers (1946-1964), with whom I worked most of my life. As for personal goals, I just want to get 10,000 steps in each day and spend my time treating people with respect and dignity.

Tell us about your family and hobbies.
I have two adult sons, Tim (and wife, Lynn) and Darren (and wife, Carla), and a daughter, Amy (and husband, Chip Saye). I have three grandchildren, Nick Price (and wife, Hannah), Madison Price and Caroline Saye. I have one great-grandchild, Amelia Price. As for hobbies, I would say golf is my passion. I have been playing for about 28 years and truly love the game.