Augusta’s 5 mayoral candidates participate in forum
By Susan McCord, The Augusta Chronicle, Ga. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Less compelling than the fact that the next consolidated
Throughout the forum, retired restaurateur Charles Cummings stayed true to his platform of upgrading Augusta Public Transit, calling it an issue critical to the city's disabled, elderly and less fortunate.
Sen.
"We can't wait," recited language arts instructor
In a nod to her opponents, "to run on your past experience may not be the best thing to do," she said.
On the topic of job creation, Mason noted the incoming
Myles' key jobs phrase was "trade and industrial magnification," while Blocker-Adams' was "entertainment," including film and theater, to encourage the "Tyler Perrys of the world that are making a killing" in
Cummings said the workforce "has got to be able to get to work."
Davis questioned Mason's role in job creation, adding that current Mayor
He said the cyber jobs actually include many transfers, but a new initiative at a former National Science Center property would enable workforce development.
On the issue of dilapidated properties, Blocker-Adams said she would "do the right thing, no matter who owns the property," while Davis speculated "what if" T-Mobile had located in the Laney-Walker or
Mason, responding to Davis' comment about cyber command, said its jobs were "nothing to scoff at," but that as mayor, "the job is to enforce the laws and ordinances on the books," including
Myles said
"We are sitting back," she said, having "decided we have so many other things to bicker over." She added that a "hierarchy of needs" was needed.
Concerning downtown, Myles said "money is being turned into the downtown area in many different ways" including sales tax allocations, while Mason said enforcement of ordinances, again, was the issue.
"
Mason also repeated one of his campaign promises, to lower the downtown levee that blocks visual access to the
Davis said the mayor must listen to downtown businesses to set priorities, including "the parking problem" that discourages development.
Tearing down the levee, he said, would send flood insurance rates "skyrocketing" while the key to development is the vacant former Golf Hall of Fame property, now owned by
Cummings said of
"Transportation has got to be a part" of the downtown solution, he said.
Blocker-Adams said the city has not been "good stewards of what we already have" downtown, neglecting maintenance of what already exists.
Many people who attended the forum, held by
"It's still kind of an introduction," said resident
Williams said the replies gave the audience "an opportunity to see the leadership skills" of each.
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