BJ Fletcher Cites Job Creation Experience
Sunday, October 30th, 2011
With a 10.8 percent unemployment rate, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, creating more jobs is a critical challenge facing the next mayor of Albany. Candidate and small business owner BJ Fletcher believes the small business community, a retirement community and the military hold the greatest potential for getting Albany residents back to work.
“We have slightly more than 11,000 small businesses in Albany. If we can teach them to act like chain stores and build second locations on the other side of town, then we can create the jobs we need,” Fletcher said.
“A retirement community is another way to breathe life into our community. Retirees will roll up their sleeves, rally around our leaders and strengthen health care and other segments of our local economy. And we get so many benefits from the Marine Corps Logistics Base that we can use to our advantage.”
Fletcher is owner of Café 230, Downtown Farm Market and managing partner of Ole Times Country Buffet Restaurant. Born in Albany, she returned to the community 12 years ago.
“I’ve been creating jobs in Albany for years. I want to see help-wanted signs all over the city. I have a real passion for it,” Fletcher continued.
Bringing The A-Team
According to Fletcher, government can only create government jobs but it can stand in the way of private-sector job creation. She believes Albany city government can and should do more to compete more effectively against neighboring cities to attract business.
“We still do not have incentives or a fast-track package for businesses that want to locate here,” she said. “We need to bring our A team to meet with prospective businesses and convince them that Albany is a great place to do business. That includes groups like our Chamber of Commerce, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, the education board and hospital board.”
Jobs, Safety and Education
Beyond job creation, Fletcher’s top priorities as mayor would be public safety and education. She believes that getting people back to work would improve the city’s crime rate.
“Realistically not everyone who is unemployed wants a job. Those people we want to ease out of our city. I believe in helping people get back on their feet. We have 85 programs in our state to help ex-felons. But if people don’t want to make the effort, then we don’t want them in this community,” she continued.
Fletcher believes people need to hold the Dougherty County Board of Education accountable for the performance of Albany schools. “Too often, people focus on the strong personalities on the board rather than on the work that is under way to improve performance on truancy and other issues.”
Sacrifice Now to Keep Young People in Albany
Adjusting to tough times can mean making painful decisions today in order to achieve success in the future. Sacrificing now could help Albany keep more of its young people here and build the foundation for a healthy, growing community long term, according to Fletcher.
“Albany is the greatest exporter of talent and business. We need to change that. Anyone who votes for an incumbent in this election is saying they are content with what’s going on,” she said.
More information on BJ Fletcher and her campaign for mayor is available at www.bj4mayor.com.
