Re-Elect Ra Barr to City Council Ward 1, Powder Springs
About Ra
Born and raised in central South Carolina, I enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after high school. A three-year enlistment included training in New Jersey, duty in Germany and finally a volunteer tour of duty in Viet Nam.After my active military obligation was complete, I decided to further my education by entering Northern Arizona University in 1969 and graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Management emphasis).
While in the Masters of Public Administration program at the University of Alabama, I was hired by the Social Security Administration and I have worked for that Federal agency since. I worked in four Social Security offices in South Carolina as Claims Representative, Field Representative, Operations Supervisor and Branch Manager, all with progressively higher responsibilities. I later transferred to the Marietta Social Security office in 1995 where I continue to work. Barbara and I moved to 3290 Country Walk Drive in November 2007.
I married my wife Barbara, of Kingstree, S.C. in 1972 and we have two grown children, Rebeka and Matthew, both graduates of McEachern High School. Rebeka and her husband Paul Edwards live in Atlanta with their son Emmett. Matthew is a financial analyst in Atlanta.
Community involvement has been a vital part of my life since I was with the Jaycees in Andrews, S.C. in the 1970's as director and president of the chapter. I have been a member of the Optimist Club in Georgetown, S.C. and Kiwanis in Greenwood, S.C. I became involved with Rotary International in Beaufort, S.C. and was a charter member of the West Cobb Rotary Club of Powder Springs in September 1996. I was an officer and director most years until that club disbanded in March 2003. I became a member of the Marietta Metro Rotary Club on September 15, 2003 and served until early 2007 when I resigned due to work constraints.
While living in Beaufort, S.C. I was the manager of the Social Security office serving both Beaufort and Jasper counties. I was a graduate of Leadership Beaufort and served on the Board of Directors of the Beaufort County American Red Cross. I was also a member of the Speaker's Bureau of the Beaufort United Way.
Since moving here I have served the City of Powder Springs as a member of the Downtown Development Authority and the Powder Springs Community Task Force. I have also served on the city's Planning and Zoning Commission for over three years and as Chairman in 2002 and 2003. This gave me a unique opportunity to participate in the government of Powder Springs and to gain the experience to move into a more expanded role as City Councilman in 2003. I was re-elected to a full four-year term as your City Council representative in 2005.
The West Cobb Rotary Club provided direct support to several Powder Springs-area organizations, such as MUST Ministries, C.A.M.P., Cobb Street Ministries, Calvary Children's Home, Cameron Shane Farm and the local Boy Scout district. I have had direct involvement in many facets of the Powder Springs community and I remain committed to maintaining the positive nature of our city. Experience in these areas has allowed me to represent all of our residents and I look forward to continuing to do so in the future.
