CLERMONT -- Managing growth while maintaining the charm of the town of Clermont is a top priority among four residents seeking election to the city council.

Four people are running for three vacant seats on a five-member council: John Brady, Emily Harper, Albert Reeves and Seth Weaver.

Brady and Weaver are incumbents. Councilman Bill Jones is not seeking re-election.

Brady, 59, a native of Hall County, has lived in Clermont for about eight years. This is his second year serving on the council and before that he served as the town's mayor for three years.

If re-elected, Brady said he would like to see the town's road conditions improved. "We've got several roads that need to be redone in the city," he said.

Brady said the county library needs renovations, and an outdoor amphitheater is in the works. For the past six years, he has been chairman of the Clermont Days Festival, and wants to continue his involvement with that.

Brady said he likes Clermont because there's not much traffic or noise. "It's a beautiful small town," he said.

Weaver, 27, has lived in Clermont all his life and has served on the council for four years. His father, Warren Weaver, was mayor years ago and also served on the council. "It kind of runs in the family," Weaver said.

Weaver said growth is going to come "whether you want it to or not," but that he would like to manage the growth in a way that will be positive for the town.

Sidewalks are another priority for Weaver. "We have a lot of people walk in town and would like to continue down that avenue, trying to make it a better place for people to live," he said.

Reeves, 24, is running for office for the first time. "I just thought I'd try it," he said.

Reeves has lived in Clermont 13 years and said he wants to keep the town "small and nice."

"I know what happens to a city when it's not managed properly," he said.

Harper, Clermont events director and co-chair of the Clermont Days Festival, has run for office before and decided to run again this year. "I think I can make a difference," she said.

Harper's main priority is to make Clermont a better place for everybody, and a place where people will want to come visit. She also wants the Meadows subdivision to be repaved.

Harper, who has lived in Clermont 14 years, said it's a "very unique" little town.

"It's a good place to live," she said. "There's some really good people here."

John Brady
Age: 59
Residence: Clermont
Occupation: Shop foreman at Wallace Sheet Metal in Gainesville
Personal: Wife, Alesha; three grown children
Political experience: Mayor of Clermont for three years; city council member for two years; chairman of the Clermont Days Festival for six years
Religious affiliation: Baptist

Emily Harper
Age: 53
Residence: Clermont
Occupation: Events director for the city of Clermont
Personal: Son, Adam McDaniel, 17; one sister who lives in North Carolina
Political experience: Has previously run for city council; has helped plan the Clermont Days Festival for six years
Religious affiliation: Baptist

Albert Reeves
Age: 24
Residence: Clermont
Occupation: Self-employed
Personal: He has been married to wife, Amanda, for four years
Political experience: First run for office
Religious affiliation: Christian
Note: Reeves declined an invitation to provide audio

Seth Weaver
Age: 27
Residence: Clermont
Occupation: Works in materials at Northeast Georgia Medical Center
Personal: Parents,
Warren and Cathy Weaver; older brother, Brad Weaver
Political experience: City council member for four years
Religious affiliation: Baptist