Al began his public service as a missionary, coordinating and leading several development projects to build a school, clinic and worship center in Ghana, West Africa.  Al is a member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, and taught Sunday school for 20 years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al was appointed Council liaison to the Streets and Sanitation Department and Keep Powder Springs Beautiful Committee. He supports

ongoing development of trails and natural walkways in the Powder Springs passive-area green space.

 

Al authored a successful proposal for funding the Ron Anderson Community Recreation Center through a collaborative partnership with Cobb County government.  He also led the $828,000 SPLOST-funded initiative to replace the Hopkins Road Bridge and improve pedestrian links to the Silver Comet Trail.

 

 

To Al, the story of Powder Springs is one of spirit and substance that made the city a desirable place to live, work and play for decades.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While other cities in Cobb County have stepped up their game to compete for economic resources, Powder Springs remains stagnant.  

 

Al believes Powder Springs must rekindle its passion for growth with a new, progressive strategy and a forward-thinking mayor, or continue to watch homeowners and businesses bypass the city for more prosperous locations.

 

Cooperative, transparent, accountable leadership that drives positive, quality growth defines Al’s vision of a New Direction for Powder Springs. His vision will create a city of multifaceted, vibrant communities – inviting all to live, work and play in a truly unique place in Cobb County.  

 

 

  

Well-known to many for his community involvement especially focused on youth and families. 

 

Well-known to many for his youth-focused community involvement, Al has been active in his church’s scouting program as Scout Master of Troop 164, Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, for 12 years. Upon “working his ticket” to serve and inspire young people, Al completed the Boy Scouts of America’s highest level of adult training, and joined a select group of global scout leaders awarded the Wood Badge for outstanding achievement in advanced leadership methods, used around the world by leading companies and governmental organizations.   

 

A two-term member of the Board of Directors of The Center for Family Resources (CFR), Al’s time on the Board was professionally and profoundly fulfilling.  Like CFR’s mission to remove barriers to independence and self-sufficiency for Cobb County families in need, Al Thurman is equally focused on overcoming the obstacles holding back the potential of Powder Springs. He is strongly committed to improving city government by supporting business partnership with communication and trust, and enabling positive, quality growth for the entire community.

 

 

Since 1982, Al and Jacque, his wife of 43 years, have resided in Powder Springs where they have raised four daughters – Tameeka, Aishia, Latoya, and Kelleita.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Al and Jacque continue to live, work and play happily with their “fantastic four” grandchildren. The family is active in their church and spends all the time they can hiking, fishing, biking -- thoroughly enjoying outdoor life in Powder Springs.

 

An experienced world traveler, Al has toured every continent except Antarctica. He earned a Black Belt in Taekwondo before his 50th birthday, and has climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan.   A longtime Falcons fan, an avid chess player and an engaging conversationalist, Al is a god-fearing, family-oriented, experienced candidate for mayor, with a clear vision of a New Direction for Powder Springs.