Candidates in favor of consolidation

By BECKY CRISSMAN

becky.crissman@gaflnews.com



CORDELE — Candidates for the upcoming election for the city commission here addressed some heavy issues during a forum held at the Crisp County High School Cafetorium Monday night.

Sponsored by the Cordele-Crisp Chamber of Commerce, the event gave citizens an opportunity to hear first-hand the visions the candidates have for the future of Cordele and Crisp County.

Candidates participating include current chairman of the Cordele City Commission Zack Wade, who is seeking re-election for the at-large post, and two of his opponents, Antwon Yowe, and Jamie Fernandez.

Also on hand were Ward 2 hopefuls — the incumbent Willie Colson Jr. and his opponent Curtis Lucas Jr. — and Ward 3 contestants — incumbent Jeanie Bartee and her foe, John Bagwell.

Billy Cannon, chairman of the Chamber Board of Directors, served as moderator for the forum, giving each candidate equal time to respond to issues, one of the most pressing being the issue of consolidating city and county government.

The candidates’ response to the issue was along the same lines, all commenting that ultimately it was a decision to be left up to the people.

“This is an issue that must be looked at,” said Wade. “There is really no need to build a new fire department when the areas could be covered. Privatization should also be looked at.”

Fernandez agreed, pointing out that duplicate services are an injustice. He also observed that people feared consolidation would bring about a loss of jobs. “I believe the citizens should vote on this issue,” he said.

Yowe likewise agreed that consolidation should be looked at, but also noted that out of the 159 counties throughout the State of Georgia only three have undergone that type change.

“We need to step back and examine what these other counties have done,” he said. “We need to check the pros and cons of the situation. The situation has been looked at here before, but came to a standstill because the city and county governments could not reach an agreement. Whatever decision is made, it should be the one most beneficial to the people.”

Colson and Lucas agreed that the two governments should work more united. “Together we can make a difference for our children,” he said.

Lucas said he believes consolidation would help stretch a dollar and that the city and county should work to prioritize and decide what needs to be put first.

Bartee, who is also in favor of consolidation, said it would remove some burden on taxpayers.

“We just bought three new fire trucks,” she said. “It would be helpful if these items were not just on the city docket. The double taxation is an issue as well. Services like water and garbage could be shared and that would decrease the cost. The city and county do work together right now on a number of things.”

Bagwell believes that a consolidation would make Crisp County more attractive to the state and may attract funds.

“Right now the state is being stingy with the money they give out. The three counties currently operating under consolidation are some of the most productive in the state. Cordele can be that way, too.”

Opinion varied slightly among those asked about limits to the number of terms that officials can be elected to serve.

Yowe, Fernandez, and Wade each agreed that the decision should ultimately be left to the citizens. Fernandez believes that to put a limit on the number of terms would allow officials to be held accountable.

“By doing this, officials would not have to worry about making popular decisions. Sometimes officials are concerned with who to keep happy until the next election,” he said. “Sometimes an official can start out with the best of intentions and after years and years become comfortable and complacent.”

Yowe shared his opponents views on leaving the decision ultimately to the people but also expressed belief that if an official is doing a good job then citizens should preserve the right to allow that individual to continue their good works through re-election.

On the issue of emergency services, both Bagwell and Bartee commented on the job of fire, police, sheriff, Georgia State Patrol and EMS employees. Though Bagwell contended that all entities are doing an outstanding job, he noted there is always room for improvement and that consolidation of such services will assist in those improvements.

“Emergency services could use consolidation, especially city and county fire departments,” Bartee said. “It would help give better coverage. We need more visibility from the police department as well.”

Both Lucas and Colson also agreed that the police department are doing a good job, but stressed they can not do it alone.

“We have young children 10 or 11 years old out walking the streets, late in the night,” said Colson. “The parents of some of these smaller kids need to lend a hand. One person cannot do it all by themselves. All of us need to work together.”

Lucas agreed with Colson adding that there could be more patrolling to make things safer and maybe even establish a precinct in the projects.

“At one time the projects did have a precinct,” he said. “We need the citizens and the police working together.”

Each candidate commented on economic issues and had varying opinions on how to increase the economic development within the area. Some believe the completion of construction on I-75 will contribute to economic growth. Other topics included the revitalization of the downtown area and the re-location of Darton College. The incumbents talked of past growth during their terms and things in the works for the future as well.

At the close, candidates had one minute each for a final remark to encourage citizens to vote for them either on or before the Nov. 3 election date.