Former state Rep. Stan Watson may no longer be in the Georgia House but he is still on the minds of East Metro residents.

They voted him Best State Representative, Most Beloved Politician and Local Character in the Best of East Metro Readers Choice awards.

Watson, who left his House seat in 2008 to run for DeKalb CEO, continues to stay active with his monthly DeKalb Community Cabinet meeting co-hosted by a slew of sitting House members.

He started the first Saturday meetings more than a decade ago at New Piney Grove Baptist Church in Decatur, where he is a deacon.

Jacqueline Kendrick, a former DeKalb resident who now lives in Conyers, gave Watson her votes.

“He exemplifies true leadership, true commitment,” she said, “not only to his church and family, but his community.” She said the way Watson, who is also her church brother, operates sets the tone for leadership in DeKalb County.”

Myrtle Mayfield, a McDonough resident, said she voted for Watson in the Readers’ Choice Awards because of his involvement with the community.

“He keeps everybody informed of what is going on in the community,” said Mayfield, a 30-year Decatur resident. “He has his monthly cabinet meetings and after each legislative session he would come and tell you what happened.”

Jada Hudspeth,also of Decatur, said she has heard Watson speak and found him to be unique and interesting,. “You know how you go somewhere and one or two people stand out in the room. He is one of those people.”00