Showcasing Albany’s many positive attributes to the nation and the world is one of the biggest opportunities facing the city’s next mayor, according to mayoral candidate John White. Its location and proximity to rail and water transportation, its educational facilities and great weather are all positives that can attract industry and jobs to the area.

“Our challenge is to get our current leaders and the business community to think outside of the proverbial box. If we are going to grow with the rest of the nation, we must extend our reach and vision to global thinking rather than continue to be confined to the local area,” White said.

White was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1974 and served for 22 years. Among the legislation he authored are House Bill 1254, which created the Non-Public Post Secondary Education Act of 1990, the 1977 Georgia Lottery Bill and the law requiring that the Dougherty County Board of Education become an elected rather than appointed board. Prior to serving as a state representative, White worked as a news reporter and anchor for WALB- TV. He has also served 10 years as a commissioner on the Albany Water, Gas and Light Commission and practices as a professional counselor.

“At this time in the life of our city, Albany needs a person in the mayor’s office who has experience working with corporate America, state and national government and the educational and social industries,” White continued. “I will call on my years of legislative experience and negotiating experience learned through my service in the in the Georgia House of Representatives.”

Beautify, Plan and Keep Citizens Safe

White sees his top three priorities as mayor to be:

• Beautify our city to become more attractive to those who would locate a business here or make Albany their home.
• Prepare a plan to seek industry that fits well with the skills we teach or otherwise have available in the area.
• Keep our citizens safe with improved public safety measures that can be addressed with cost shifting and personnel transfers among city departments.

In addition, White believes the city should seek another airline to provide more transportation options for the local population. Some of the support and resources for the above priorities would come from the private sector and public-private cooperation.

An Optimist

Whoever serves as Albany’s next mayor will need the support of multiple stakeholders to be successful including the business community. White believes he can convince local officials and business leaders to take actions that have not been considered before now.

“First I am an optimist. I believe in me and my ability to clearly present the ideas that make sense and will lead to success for the total community… therein we all can win,” he said.

In addition to his legislative experience and the relationships he has with built with government officials, White says he will “call on my skill and training learned through my degree in sociology and practice as a professional counselor.”

“Electing a mayor who needs “on the job training” should not be acceptable to our citizens. We have had that experience for several years.”

Next week’s profile: BJ Fletcher

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.