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<3l;r ml Vol. 1 MEET THE CANDIDATES EDITORS NOTE: Because the News-Review is first of all a community service, we are devoting almost all of this issue to presenting the candidates that you may better choose the officials who will shape the destiny of our city. In some instances some photos were not available or the questionaire was not answered. This we regret; however, we wish to point out that the News-Review is not endorsing editorially in this election. In order that Augusta voters may become better acquainted with the 28 candidates running for City Council on October 12, the League of Women Voters of the Augusta Area has made the following services available: “MEET THE CANDIDATES” - Channel 6 (WJBF) Sunday, October 10 Two showings: 1:00 -2:- in the afternoon 11:30 to 12:30 at night A mimeographed Voters Guide, which may be picked up at Augusta banks and community service centers. Information on the candidates, which will be re-printed in the Sunday edition of the Augusta Chronicle- Herald, October 10, QUESTIONS ASKED CANDIDATES: PRESENT OCCUPATION 1. WHAT IS THERE IN YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE THAT MAKES YOU A PERSON WE NEED ON OUR CITY COUNCIL? 2. IF ELECTED, LIST THE 3 THINGS YOU WOULD MOST LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN AUGUSTA THROUGH COUNCIL ACTION DURING YOUR TENURE. HOW WOULD YOU FINANCE YOUR PROGRAM? FIRST WARD C. W. Batemen Age 57 313 Telfair St. PRESENT OCCUPATION: Grocer (Owner, Batemen’s Super Market) 1. My formal education along with business management and a sincere interest in our City government and the necessity for our representatives to excel in their ability to co-ordinate the services of specialists in the various fields in order to qualify for the State and Federal aid necessary to accomplish any worthwhile projects, such as moving the railroads. This I feel I can do. 2. I would like to see the trains routed into our city on the river levee property. ♦ I would like to see the Daniel Field facility moved and the city retain the property for future city improvements. * Greater support for our Recreational Department which is having more success today than ever before. I feel it has been very instrumental in curbing the use of drugs. * Financing through Federal-State and local support. Where Do We By Grady Abrams Go From Here? Last week Attorney Ruffin and I had lunch together and discussed the political situation here in Augusta. He was of the opinion that this community lacked leadership from both white and black races. His concern was mostly about poor leadership from the black community. Most of our leaders have either been bought off or have become enemies to each other. Either way blacks are left void of leadership in an ever changing complex society. Instead of progressing in the political arena, we are regressing. Jack and I pondered this issue throughout our meal and finally concluded with a question, “where do we go from here?” As I sat there, a thousand thoughts must have entered my mind. Many plans had been tried, and yet we find ourselves with no more power than we found ourselves with during the post Civil War era. I told Jack the answer lies in our history. We must learn from THE PEOPLE’S PAPER our mistakes if we want to progress. Repeating mistakes will only keep our progress at a minimum. We have thought it to be so important to evolve our activities and movements around a coalition between blacks and whites based on a genuine love for each others welfare. We, black people, are like the poor man who traveled around the world in search of fortune only to return home and find it in his own yard. We have tried to create an alliance or a coalition with the power structure. We have found throughout the years that this coalition did not work toward our progress. The structure ended up getting much more than we. As Lerone Bennett puts it, “It is obvious that the powerful-and not the poor - run the whole system and are deeply involved in 930 Gwinnett St. Augusta Ga Phone 722-4555 .... _ r f ~ Hugh Cross Age 45 340 Broad Street PRESENT OCCUPATION: Director Richmond County Landfill 1. 9 years service as a City Councilman representing the First Ward, having served on every standing committee of Council. Past Chairman of the Public Safety Committee, presently Chairman of the Recorder’s Court and Stockade Committee. 2. 1. The number one priority would be to continue and strengthen the special Narcotics Division of the Augusta Police Department which was initiated by me approximately two years ago. 2. Promote and work toward a Civic Center with adequate seating capacity for programming a variety of educational and entertainment activities for the citizens of Augusta and accommodating conventions held in our city. 3. Revise the traffic offenses contained in the City Code so the offenses would be comparable to the conduct of the driver. Inez R. Wylds Age 45 104 Fourth Street PRESENT OCCUPATION: Homemaker 1. Edgefield High School; Attended Winthrop College; Graduate of Augusta Law School; Training Supervisor, E.I. DuPont Company 2. 1. Planning -- Inadequate planning causes unfair zoning changes, inefficiency, poor progress, higher taxes. I feel that good long range planning can help us progress more than any other program. I will work for this kind of program. 2. Responsiveness to needs of the city -- Citizens are losing faith in elected officials and other phases of government because they are not responsive. I will work to take city government out of a “closed club” situation and help to make City Council represent people. The more we can take politics out and put people in to the forefront, the better attitude we will have in the entire community. 3. Consolidation - Consolidation, either of the city and county governments or of overlapping functions, will save money. As a member of City Council, I will use my influence to present an acceptable charter. By working together we can move our entire community forward. SECOND WARD wW I if- Li William Baxter Age 62 717 Walton Way PRESENT OCCUPATION: Retired from Pullman Company (35 yrs.)) 1. Attended Shofield School. Worked in several Voter Registration drives; worked in the Progressive Political Club for 7 years - Vice President 3 years, President 1 year. Member Bethel AME Church. Worked with Boy Scouts in my church. Will work with all my power to make Augusta a better place to live. 2. l.That the city be an Equal Opportunity Employer. 2. To set up Crime Prevention Bureau in the Police Department with Federal money under the Crime Bill. 3. To work with the Chamber of Commerce and the Committee of 100 to bring new plants and more industries for more and better jobs. Of® * k \ * mm x - W B. L. Dent Age 59 26 Gregg Street PRESENT OCCUPATION: Retail Furniture Merchant 1.1. M.A. Degree in Economics and Business Administration. 2. 6 years as City Councilman (2nd Ward.) 3. 40 years in the furniture business. 2. 1. Expand the city water lines; water is a commodity that adds to the revenue of the city, (a) Sell Revenue Certificates. 2. Cost of living clause added to all employees salary base and pay workers who work on their off-days, instead of giving time off at a later date. 3. Expand the city by either Consolidation or Annexation. HL Fl ■ r .. HRr J Rev. Roosevelt Jones, 111 Age 26 938 Wrightsboro Road PRESENT OCCUPATION: Medically Retired, U.S. Army 1. Graduate - Claflin College 1967. B.S. degree, Social Science and Art. Experience: 1) Community Action Agency 2) Alcohol &. Drug Abuse Program 3) tutor (under-privileged children) 4) Community development. 2. Development of a mental educational program - We have spent a great deal of money trying to develop the physical being of our youth, and we have not succeeded. I think it is about time for us to develop their mental being. By doing this we can make the youth aware of the functions of their government and their relationship to their fellowman. This program can be financed through the Recreation Department of our city. Os course the budget for this department would have to be increased to be able to finance such a program. THIRD WARD i J ■ -fmr K. S.R. Lamb Age 45 1510 Dade Street PRESENT OCCUPATION: Automobile Salesman 1. Education - High school graduate, Work -1 come in contact with people from all walks of life. In communicating with them, I become aware of their needs and desires, for a better Augusta. It is then up to me as a representative of the people to see that they are carried out. 2. 1. Work toward some form of united government whether it be consolidation or annexation. 2. Work to continue improving our water and sewage systems. 3. Work to find a solution to the problem of railroads blocking the main streets of our city. * THe financing of these programs would come by revenue certificates, federal grants, and taxes. BL_ & ■ JB Mallory K. Millender Age 29 1315 - 15th Street PRESENT OCCUPATION: Instructor - Paine College, Editor-Publisher of the News-Review 1. Having received my education (Master’s Degree and further study) in Georgia, Alabama, New York, Kansas, and France, I feel that I have been exposed to a variety of ways of solving problems. My experience as Voice of the People Moderator and as a Newsman helps to keep me informed on local issues. I believe that I can serve as a communications bridge between the young and old and the haves and have-nots. Most of all, I have the will and the determination to make Augusta a better place for all of us to live. 2. 1.1 would like to see an all out brotherhood campaign led by the Mayor and City Council. Such a program would do much to relieve the racial tension in our community and to define the real issues that would be in the interest of all Augustans. Everyone must be guaranteed an equal opportunity in all areas. This program would benefit everyone and would not cost anyone a dime. 2. I would like to see a vigorous effort made on the part of City Council to provide more and better paying jobs for all citizens. Every man has to be guaranteed the opportunity to meet his basic needs. Most of the job training costs are absorbed by the Federal Government, the remainder by the employer who will be the direct benefactor of increased production. 3. I would like to see much greater development of our recreational facilities and programs. The cost would be very little when we consider the number of our children who because of their intense involvement in these programs might not be tempted to seek pleasure and excitement through drugs, alcohol or criminal acts. v Jr John E. Whittle Age 38 934 Baker Avenue PRESENT OCCUPATION: Private Investigator and Bondsman 1. Resident of Richmond County for 38 years... Educated in the schools of Richmond County...elementary - Joseph R. Lamar...graduated from Richmond Academy, 1950. Business experience.. A-1 Bonding Co. - Private Inv. - Whittle’s Florist. 5 years with Augusta Police Department...B years as a deputy sheriff of Richmond County. 2. 1. Commitment of city owned property along the banks of Savannah River & Augusta Canal for the development of the proposed Regional Recreational Park. Financed through Federal, State & local funds. No financing needed froom the City directly. 2. A program of more intense education on the narcotics problem. Federal grants are available for this purpose. 3. A new form of consolidation of City and County governments that would be acceptable and advantageous to all concerned. This consolidation, by rendering more efficient government programs and eliminating duplication of services would more than pay its own way. Henry A. Wright Age 66 1808 Wrightsboro Rd. PRESENT OCCUPATION: Newspaperman - lawyer 1. Attended Newberry College, hold LLB degree from the Augusta Law School and am qualified to practice law. Six years service on the City Council of Augusta where I served on the Finance Committee, Waterworks Committee, Public Safety Committee and Recreation Committee. Was chairman of Public Works and of Recreation Committees. While Chairman of Public Works we eliminated the old city dump and institued a program that is saving the city over $20,000 a year. 2. 1-Work for the elimination of the dual taxation that places such a heavy burden on the citizen that he is moving to the county areas. A single tax on property could be inaugurated by removing the city ad valorem tax and replacing it with funds to be brought back from the state from the sales tax paid to businesses in the city. The taxes imposed for street paving and upkeep could be eliminated and a county-wide tax for that purpose instituted with all roads and streets kept up with this fund. Many other avenues exist through which funds could be raised in a manner that would spread the cost of city government to all who benefit from the city. 2--The realization of a new community spirit that would induce every citizen to join in a concerted effort to build a greater Augusta by reviving the dying spirit that exists today. My long experience in public relations would be devoted to this goal which would cost little but the determination of every citizen to exert the same spirit of cooperation which enabled our founding fathers to build this great nation. 3-Eliminate the blocking of streets by trains through the building of two overpasses in connection with the new East-West expressway. These could be financed on the same basis through the state highway department as the highway itself, with additional assistance from the railroads involved. SEE CANDIDATES Page 2 October 7, 1971 # 29 4 15<