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Politics & Government

Meet Councilman Tim Killingsworth

This week in our Meet Your Leaders series, Patch sits down with Councilman Tim Killingsworth.

In our Meet Your Leaders series, Patch introduces you to Kennesaw's movers and shakers in local government, business, education and more. Today, Patch sits down for a chat with Councilman Tim Killingsworth.

The year is 1983. In the heat of July, in the city of Macon, Tim Killingsworth decides to leave his job as a route salesman for Coca Cola and joins the Marine Corps Reserve.

“(I) chased a childhood dream," he says.  

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Killingsworth went through basic training at the famed Parris Island.  He served as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic for two years, between 1983 and 1985. In September of 1985, he went into active duty, though he was not called into combat.

“Many times I was on a tarmac, getting ready to go somewhere during the Gulf War,” he says. His unit was often prepared for mobilization, but they were never deployed.

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Killingsworth retired from the Marine Corps after serving for over 12 years. During his time of service, he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. After retiring, he worked as a recruiter for several years, eventually running his own firm until 2009.

Killingsworth married his wife, Lynne, on March 31, 1990. They have two daughters, Joy and Amy.

Faith and Politics

“I’ve always had a servant’s heart," says Killingsworth. “I’ve always wanted to serve in some capacity, whether it be at church, whether it be this country in the form of the service, or even my subdivision." He says he decided to run for City Council of Kennesaw in order to keep fulfilling his desire to serve others.

“I came into the role wanting to help,” he says. “(I want) to make things better, but with no specific agenda, per se.”

Killingsworth attributes his desire to serve others to his faith, of which he is notably outspoken. He describes himself as a fervent Christian.  He is the son of a Southern Baptist Minister of Music and says he serves in various capacities for his church.

Killingsworth is not a registered Republican or Democrat.   

“I am pretty much an Independent voter,” he says, although he admits he is “pretty Conservative.”

Concerning local issues, Killingsworth says that the most important issue facing Kennesaw today is development.

“We need to continue to grow and continue to make Kennesaw a draw (for new residents)," he says. He says he is very happy about recent projects, including .

“(The expansion is) huge,” says Killingsworth. “That’s the artery of moving traffic through here. With sister counties and sister cities, it’s allowing them to move through unimpeded.” 

When asked which specific issue he would tackle if he were running the city unopposed, Killingsworth first expresses that he is happy to work in a city where the charter makes unilateral decisions impossible. He says it is important that all sides of an issue are discussed, considered, and properly represented before a decision is made.

However, he says the first thing he would do is expand the city’s boundaries. Expanding the boundaries, he says, will increase the populous, which he believes will help draw more business to the city.

“We have to walk a very tight rope in this economy,” says Killingsworth. “On top of that, we have to make sure we’re protecting the assets and protecting the people that are here. We just have to walk a very fine line and have to be very cognizant of taking care of those existing citizens.”

The Future

“I’m very happy being a voice here, in this capacity," says Killingsworth. “I love being able to help my fellow citizens. I don’t aspire to run for mayor or any other higher political office. I’m very comfortable where I am.”

Killingsworth says he will definitely be running for reelection to the City Council of Kennesaw in November, though.

“I just haven’t formally announced it until, I guess, this very moment!” he says with a chuckle.

Looking ahead to retirement, Killingsworth says he is just fine with staying where he is now, in Kennesaw. He says he knows many people who have shown him that Kennesaw is a great place to settle. While he hasn't thought about traveling much, “everyone’s wife loves the beach," he jokes.

Killingsworth has these words for the citizens of Kennesaw: “Honor and integrity are two words that I have always tried to live by. I will continue to try and serve you to the best of my ability.”

You can contact Councilman Tim Killingsworth at 678-873-7146 or by e-mail at tkillingsworth@kennesaw-ga.gov.

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