Kirkland Carden is not originally from the South, but he’s certainly trying to make our Southern lives better.

Kirkland Carden is running for Duluth City Council in the 2017 election.

Originally hailing from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kirkland has made Georgia home settling home in Duluth. He chose Gwinnett County as his home, Duluth in particular, because some of his closest friends and family members reside in this city. “I want to be their voice on the city council,” Kirkland told Pretty Southern.

Vote Kirkland4Duluth!

We asked Kirkland about when he was growing up and what was his dream job?” Kirkland replied that when he was younger, he was really interested in becoming a stand-up comedian. And let’s be honest y’all, politics today can be pretty comical. We need new, fresh ideas to help enable our local communities to be forward thinking, and Kirkland is ready to help serve.

Kirkland has a history of public service. “In my early 20’s I severed a three-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals,” Kirkland said. “While serving on that board I made some decisions that had a positive impact on people’s quality of life. After seeing what municipal government can do for people I was inspired to run for local office.”

If we could fast forward to 2022, five years from now, we asked Kirkland would you like to see happen in Duluth, and how would he impact that change? “Managing the growing population,” was Kirk’s immediate reply, because the population numbers in Duluth, Gwinnett County, and across the Metro Atlanta area continues to rise. Kirkland also explained that he wants to see more firms and employers locating to or near the Duluth city limits. He also envisions “more walkability” and pedestrian friendly areas in Duluth.

“I want Duluth to be a smart city…a city of the future.” – Kirkland Carden

Can you tell folks why they should vote for you to be the next City Councilman of Duluth?
“The People of Duluth should vote for me on November 7th because I’m committed to being their voice on the city council. I want to address real issues that residents have shared with me. With my professional and academic background, I have the skills necessary to be a leader in addressing issues such as transportation, community blight and to help retain the next generation of young people.”

Here are some questions that we ask in every Pretty Southern profile…

How do you define a Southerner?
“My definition of a Southerner is someone that relates and identifies with the rich culture, the heritage, and the traditions of this region. Some of those traditions are saying ‘Ma’am’ and ‘Sir’ without having to think about it, drinking sweet tea from mason jars or greeting someone walking down the street.”

How do you define a gentleman or lady?
“People who seek to be courteous towards others, and conduct themselves in an ethical, friendly manner.”

What’s your favorite Southern food?
Shrimp and Grits

Come meet Kirk on August 31st

There’s a fundraiser for Kirkland on Aug. 31, 2017, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Law Office of Andrew, Merritt, Reilly & Smith, LLP located at 7 Lumpkin Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Food and beverages will be provided during the evening. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience. Your support and contributions are welcome and very much appreciated.

For more information, check out Kirkalnd Carden’s website and Kirkland4Duluth on Facebook

Vote for Kirkland Carden for Duluth City Council on Nov. 7!

St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is unlike anywhere else in the world

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Savannah attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. For several days, natives of this normally graceful Southern city hide while hordes of tourists determinedly celebrate the brilliance of open container laws and Irish drinking culture.

I’ve been joining the St. Patty’s party in Savannah for years, now. Begun with my friends Carly and Jacqueline in 2012, this has now evolved into an annual “girls’ trip” tradition that Carly and I never miss.

While the group of women changes a bit based on life roulette, one thing remains the same: Drunk people in public are hilarious. And should be recorded on Facebook. For, you know, posterity.

I like to think it’s really a public service.

As a recovering journalist, I often feel the need to chronicle things and share them with the world. This compulsion turns out to come in handy when you are somewhere people continually say weird things out loud.
So here, for your reading pleasure, here is a collection of the best moments from the past six year’s worth of St. Patrick’s days in the Low Country.

Here’s the best of “Overheard in Savannah”

Who hasn’t?

 

Okay … and how does that work out for you?

 

Because of course you are.

She’s just not that into you.

 

When “street” meets literal street.

 

I hear babies are real party animals.

 

I like Jason.

 

Priorities.

 

You know that time.

 

Fair enough.

 

Seems breezy, but you do you.

 

Those boys from Omaha are sensitive types.

 

Science is hard, y’all.

 

You take me to the nicest places.

 

Please. I bet they’re braiding each other’s hair right now.

 

Well, that escalated quickly.

 

 

It’s always good to have a plan.

 

Dammit, Meredith, we talked about this!

 

I can’t decide if context would make this better.

 

Let’s define “slutty.”

 

Can you hear me?

 

Way to make things awkward, Janet.

 

How it always ends:

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