Michael Caldwell

A Message From the

Of the roughly 18,000 police departments across the United States, I confidently can tell you the Woodstock Police Department is among the very best. Our officers, under the leadership of our new chief, Robert Jones, and his predecessor, Calvin Moss, consistently serve our citizens well by centering their work around the department’s four core values: professionalism, integrity, service and teamwork.

The city of Woodstock grew by 11,169 between 2010-20, roughly a 47% increase in population. One would assume with that kind of growth, at least a moderate uptick in crime would be natural, especially when taking into account the crime rate increases throughout the metro Atlanta area. The exact opposite occurred in our city, with a 44% reduction in crime evidenced over the past 10 years. These impressive gains can be directly attributed to the professionalism and community-oriented service of our city’s police officers.

That’s why I am so proud of our Woodstock City Council for ensuring these officers are well cared for. City Council recently gave final approval to the largest single pay increase in Woodstock Police Department history, increasing the certified, starting annual salary from $44,800 to $52,590. This 17.39% single increase in starting pay is compounded on top of previous increases authorized with the new budget year that started in July, bringing the total police pay to nearly a 27% increase, year-to-date, since I was sworn in as your mayor. The City Council is investing in the men and women who keep our city safe, and we actively are competing for the very best officers in Georgia.

Woodstock isn’t alone in facing this decision, but I’m proud to say our city has met the challenge. City police departments and county sheriffs across the nation are trying to increase salaries to combat inflation and attract talent in an increasingly competitive, shrinking pool of sworn officers. But, not all cities have been quite so supportive.

Woodstock recently was named the 12th safest city in Georgia by safewise.com. In order to ensure we maintain the vibrancy and excellent quality of life our citizens deserve, safety is and must remain our top priority. The City Council’s actions in increasing our officers’ starting pay from $41,545 to $52,590 (26.58% increase) in less than eight months represents an impressive commitment to support law enforcement in our city, and is simply the right thing to do.

The Woodstock Police Department is a critical part of our city’s success. Officers protect our 36,000-plus citizens and 2,000-plus businesses, while serving our entire community through countless programs and offerings. They place their lives on the line for each of us, and investing in them always should remain a priority.

I am proud of our men and women in uniform, and the outstanding sacrifice they make each and every day to keep our families safe. I am proud of our council for investing in Woodstock’s finest. Please be sure to thank our officers when you see them around Woodstock!

— Mayor Michael Caldwell

Michael Caldwell is the 31st mayor of Woodstock, a retired state legislator, member of the Georgia Technology Authority, partner at Black Airplane, husband to Katie, and father to Oliver, Elizabeth and Charlotte.

STEVE CANNON AGENCY:

Different On Purpose

Steve aims to meet clients every 24-30 months to make sure no changes are needed in coverage. If you’ve ever seen Steve Cannon’s red Kia in Towne Lake, you’ve seen the phrase that has been the backbone of his agency’s success: “Different on purpose.”

This statement sheds light on the 33-year success of the Steven R. Cannon State Farm Insurance Agency. Steve and his staff of experienced insurance professionals strive to give second-mile service to meet each customer’s individual needs.

From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the office has operated at full capacity while taking necessary precautions for customer safety. Virtual meetings and electronic transactions helped make that possible. A flourishing business despite many obstacles is a testimony to the team’s dedication and focus on providing exceptional service.

“People have done business with my agency for more than 33 years because of our integrity, vision and commitment to service,” Steve said. “We believe in serving our community and having each person’s best interest at heart. We focus on relationships and what matters most to you. You and your family will have peace of mind knowing you are working with a trustworthy, innovative and accessible agency. We want people to notice that we are different. We are here to serve our customers and to care about them, and they know we do.”

Hard-Earned Recognition

Steve takes great pride in representing the State Farm brand; the company has held the No. 1 ranking in auto insurance coverage since 1942, home insurance coverage since 1964 and life insurance since 2015.

This year, State Farm Insurance celebrates its 100-year anniversary and stays committed to helping people manage the risks of everyday life.

Backed by such a solid foundation of insurance and financial products,

Steve focuses on complete risk management and protection planning for individuals, families and business owners.

The Citadel graduate and father of four has a Bachelor of Science in business administration and numerous awards and accomplishments. His commitment to his clients is evident in his achievements and roles in community service:

† Ranked as No. 11 State Farm agent in life insurance out of 19,600 agents in 2021. †Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), Top 1% of the financial services industry, 20-year qualifier. † Court of the Table, international mark of distinction reserved for the most successful in the financial services industry within the MDRT organization. † Lifetime member of the State

Farm President’s Club, 26-year qualifier as a Top 50 agent out of 19,600 agents. † Member of the National

Speakers Bureau for the State

Farm Insurance company. † Founder and partner of the Foster Cannon Group, conducting seminars across the U.S. to coach and mentor younger generations of insurance professionals. † Admissions partner of the U.S.

Coast Guard Academy, educating students and their families on the unique lifetime opportunities available at the academy.