Meet the Candidates: James Lawson | | mainstreetnews.com

James Lawson is from Hoschton, Georgia. He has an associate's degree in funeral services management. He lives with his wife, Carla, and their two sons in Hoschton. He is a member of the newly-planned Baptist Church on the Hill.

James is a funeral home director and embalmer at his family-owned funeral home in Hoschton. He has held these licenses since opening the business over 10 years ago. 

James Lawson | Hoschton Georgia

James is currently a council member for the City of Hoschton. He was elected in 2020 and is serving his first term.

Supports business growth, population growth, and infrastructure development.

- Supports business growth, population growth, and infrastructure development.

Economy

As of September 3, 2025, James Arthur Lawson did not have a website or any information online.

Public Services

Believes in preserving Hoschton's "charming small town" identity while also providing options for shopping, dining, and small businesses.

- Believes in preserving Hoschton's "charming small town" identity while also providing options for shopping, dining, and small businesses.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

James Arthur Lawson

Wants to unite citizens and city government to work together for "less government and more accountability."

Wants to prepare for population growth to provide adequate services, infrastructure, and vision for the city in the near and distant future.

Believes in collaborative efforts to develop a city that residents can take pride in.

James is from Hoschton, Georgia. He has an associate's degree in funeral services management. He lives with his wife, Carla, and their two sons in Hoschton. He is a member of the newly-planned Baptist Church on the Hill.

Buket Urgen

Hoschton City Council

David Brown is currently a member of the Hoschton City Council and the Mayor Pro Tem. 

As of September 3, 2025, David Weaver Brown did not have a website or any information online.

David Weaver Brown

David Brown is currently a member of the Hoschton City Council. 

LinkedIn

Edwin "Ace" Acevedo earned a bachelor's degree in pre-law studies from Saint Leo University and a master's degree in counseling and education from LIU Post. 

Edwin's run for Hoschton City Council is his entry into elected politics. He serves as the chairman of the Hoschton Planning and Zoning Commission. 

Edwin worked for 26 years at Lockheed Martin. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served as a supply officer. 

As of September 3, 2025, Edwin Acevedo did not have a website or any information online.

Edwin Acevedo

CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE: Edwin “Ace” Acevedo, Hoschton City Council candidate

Edwin Acevedo is from Miami, Florida. He has an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree in political science and pre-law, and a master's degree in education and family counseling. He lives with his wife, Neva Marie Smith, in Hoschton. He has two daughters and one granddaughter.

Edwin is a retired U.S. Army major and former proposal manager at Lockheed Martin. He served in the Army for 23 years, including roles as a military policeman and quartermaster officer. After retiring from the Army, he worked at Lockheed Martin for 25 years, first as a proposal developer for C-130 cargo aircraft production and later as a proposal manager for C-130 air crew training.

Edwin's campaign for Hoschton City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

Believes shifting from residential to retail growth will help reduce the tax burden on citizens.

Supports maintaining and expanding the city park system, including upgrading and establishing walking paths, multi-use paths, and downtown access.

Believes in reversing residential growth and shifting towards retail to reduce the tax burden on citizens.

Supports upgrading and establishing walking paths, multi-use paths, and improving downtown access.

Supports growth of residential areas and infrastructure including water, sewer, and traffic.

Supports maintaining and expanding parks and green spaces.

Two more qualify in Hoschton on Tuesday | News | mainstreetnews ...

Fredria Sterling is currently a councilmember for Hoschton, representing Post 3. She was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving her first term.

As of September 3, 2025, Fredria Carter Sterling did not have a website or any information online.

Fredria Carter Sterling

Fredria is currently a councilmember for Hoschton, representing Post 3. She was first elected in 2021 and is currently serving her first term.

Fredria is currently a councilmember for Hoschton, representing Post 3. She was first elected in 2021.

Facebook

Gary McGowan moved to Georgia in 2014. He is a father of two and a grandfather of two. 

Gary works as a home inspector and landlord. He previously owned and operated his own business in the home improvement industry. 

November races set for Braselton and Hoschton as qualifying ends ...

Gary McGowan's campaign for Hoschton City Council Member is his first entry into politics.

Supports divesting from city properties that consistently lose money.

Supports encouraging more commercial building.

- Supports divesting from city properties that consistently lose money.
- Supports encouraging more commercial building.

Wants to develop the 23-acre Hoschton Central Park green space for community use.

- Wants to develop the 23-acre Hoschton Central Park green space for community use.

Supports the creation of a transparent city master plan.

Wants to halt all new residential building due to limited water and sewer capacity.

- Supports the creation of a transparent city master plan.
- Wants to halt all new residential building due to limited water and sewer capacity.

As of September 3, 2025, Gary Michael Mcgowan did not have a website or any information online.

Gary Michael Mcgowan

Walter Ley

Running for city council, but no stances on "Energy & the Environment" issues found.

Mariya Bentz lives with her husband and son in Hoschton. 

Mariya's bid for Hoschton City Council is her entry into elected politics. She has served on the Hoschton Downtown Development Authority. 

As of September 3, 2025, Mariya Andriyevna Bentz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Said, "No matter how long you’ve called Hoschton home, your voice matters. I’m committed to open dialogue and decisions that reflect our shared values."

- Said, "No matter how long you’ve called Hoschton home, your voice matters. I’m committed to open dialogue and decisions that reflect our shared values."

Believes in balancing growth with maintaining Hoschton's hometown feel through "thoughtful development and strong infrastructure."

- Believes in balancing growth with maintaining Hoschton's hometown feel through "thoughtful development and strong infrastructure."

Believes Hoschton should be a place where families thrive with safe neighborhoods.

- Believes Hoschton should be a place where families thrive with safe neighborhoods.

Mariya Andriyevna Bentz

Mariya is a wife and a working mom. She and her husband are raising their son in Hoschton.

Mariya's campaign for Hoschton City Council Member is her first entry into politics. She served on the Hoschton Downtown Development Authority for two years (2023-2024).

As of September 3, 2025, Mariya Andriyevna Bentz did not have a website or any information online.

Instagram

- City council members work together with the rest of city council to set and implement city policy. 
- City council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city 
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Most city council members in Georgia are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 