Building Tallapoosa’s Future: Thriving Together through Enlightened Self-Interest

Hello, neighbors and friends,

When Heather and I chose Tallapoosa as our home three years ago, we were immediately captivated by its warmth, friendliness, and strong community spirit. We've experienced firsthand the powerful bonds that define our city—the neighborly support, shared celebrations, and the genuine care residents show for one another. Yet, we also recognize that our community faces real challenges, from economic stagnation to limited housing options and strained resources. Addressing these issues requires a balanced approach—one that benefits us individually by improving our collective well-being. This is the heart of "enlightened self-interest," a principle guiding my vision for Tallapoosa.

Strengthening Local Economies Together

Today, too many of our residents commute to jobs outside our community. While the regional unemployment rate remains low, the local economic reality tells a different story. To ensure our city's economic sustainability, we must prioritize local business growth and attract employers that provide stable, well-paying jobs right here in Tallapoosa.

By streamlining cumbersome regulations and cutting through bureaucratic red tape, we can foster an environment where small businesses thrive. Investing in our historic downtown, encouraging new ventures, and supporting existing businesses means more jobs, higher wages, and increased local spending—benefiting every family and household. Additionally, I support initiatives such as creating business incubators and offering incentives for entrepreneurs, ensuring that innovation and local business ownership flourish.

Addressing the Housing Challenge

Our city’s median home values have risen significantly, highlighting Tallapoosa’s desirability but also revealing an urgent shortage of affordable housing. Young families, seniors, and local workers increasingly struggle to find suitable homes within their budget. I’ll champion partnerships with private developers, nonprofits, and community organizations to build mixed-income housing that meets the needs of all residents. By utilizing underused spaces downtown for apartments and pursuing grants to expand subsidized housing, we’ll ensure Tallapoosa remains a welcoming and accessible place for everyone.

We will also focus on rehabilitating vacant properties, turning potential eyesores into beautiful, functional homes, improving neighborhoods, and maintaining our city's charm.

Education and Opportunity: Building Foundations for Tomorrow

The quality of our schools directly impacts Tallapoosa’s future prosperity. Currently, our public schools perform around the state average—yet there is ample room to grow. Investing in educational infrastructure, supporting teachers with competitive salaries and professional development, enhancing vocational training, and strengthening partnerships with technical colleges will equip our students with skills that attract better job opportunities, keeping local talent here at home. When we invest in our youth, we invest in Tallapoosa’s future success.

I am committed to increasing extracurricular opportunities, promoting programs in STEM, arts, and athletics, and collaborating with local businesses to create apprenticeships and internships, preparing our students for real-world success.

Keeping Tallapoosa Safe and Healthy

Public safety is a cornerstone of community well-being. While we enjoy relatively low crime rates, property crime and drug-related issues remain concerns. By maintaining strong, community-oriented policing and promoting prevention initiatives, we can further reduce crime and ensure Tallapoosa remains safe. Additionally, expanding access to healthcare, including mental health and addiction services, means creating a healthier, more resilient community.

We will partner with regional healthcare providers to enhance local medical services and actively pursue initiatives aimed at reducing opioid misuse, offering supportive programs and resources to affected individuals and families.

Community Engagement: The Power of Unity

Tallapoosa thrives when we come together—whether through beloved traditions like the Dogwood Festival or the famous Possum Drop, or through direct involvement in city planning and governance. My vision includes deepening our culture of engagement by establishing regular town hall meetings, enhancing transparency, and actively seeking input from every corner of our city. True progress emerges when every voice is heard, respected, and valued.

I will also prioritize digital communication tools and platforms to enhance accessibility, making it easier for all residents to stay informed and participate in shaping our city’s future.

Enlightened Self-Interest: Progress for All

The principle of enlightened self-interest teaches us that by working collectively for our common good, we each benefit individually. My commitment is to foster balanced, sustainable growth that uplifts our entire community. Economic stability, accessible housing, quality education, reliable public safety, and strong healthcare—all interwoven to ensure prosperity and quality of life for every resident.

Together, let’s build a Tallapoosa where progress is shared, opportunities are plentiful, and our community thrives—today and for generations to come.

Warm regards,

Joe Glass - The Clear Choice for Responsible Family-Focused Growth