Another Look at AlbanyCEO's Mayorial Candidates Interviews
Sunday, November 6th, 2011
Dorothy Hubbard Seeks to Build a Team for Albany
During her campaign for mayor of Albany, Dorothy Hubbard is going around neighborhoods, meeting with residents and trying to change the way people think about the city. In her “Huddle Up with Hubbard” meetings, she tells the 10 or 20 people assembled to speak up when they hear someone make a derogatory remark about Albany.
“When I hear someone say something derogatory, I ask them what they are going to do about it. To revive Albany, we must each do our part. Whatever you bring to the table, let’s find a way to use it for the good of the city,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard has served as the Ward 2 Commissioner for six years and has served on community boards. She retired in 1999 from Albany State University where she served as Assistant to the President, Registrar and Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Director of Admissions and Registration.
Hubbard’s top priorities as mayor would be crime, education and economic development. She plans to build a team for Albany by working with citizens, businesses and leaders of surrounding cities and counties.
“I truly believe our citizens will help me to breathe new life into our hometown. By serving on committees, being advocates, thinking and acting as one, and talking to me about our future, I know we can identify resources to hit a home run,” Hubbard said.
Tapping the Potential in Young People
Hubbard sees great potential in the young people of Albany and already has several working on her campaign. As mayor, she would include young people on councils, in meetings and in sessions on specific issues.
“I hear young people complaining that they don’t have enough to do. Unless we take steps to encourage and guide their talents, we cannot say that we’ve done our best,” she said.
By networking and using social media, Hubbard would expand the number of young people involved in city government. Beyond focusing on young people in good standing, she would like to see programs targeting young people who are first-time offenders and their parents.
“We need to explain consequences to first-time offenders and their parents through sessions with law enforcement and by giving tours of the jail,” Hubbard explained.
Working With Surrounding Municipalities
Hubbard believes healthy economic development in Albany depends on healthy economic development in the surrounding cities and counties. She has already met with the mayors of Americus and Dawson to discuss how cities in southwestern Georgia can work together to attract more businesses to the region.
“In the past, Albany has been seen as being on its own and I think we need to change that. We shouldn’t begrudge Americus its new jobs because the people who take those jobs could live and shop in Albany,” she explained.
Hubbard is enrolled in an economic development academy to learn more about the subject. She said, “In order to be the best mayor, I must gather information in areas that I am not as well versed. I don’t have all the answers and I am willing and able to work to get them.”
Why Vote For Hubbard?
Hubbard touts her record as a city commissioner, her understanding of how the city operates and her ability as a retiree to be a full-time mayor. Her approach as mayor will include a structured plan with community action councils comprised of citizens, subject matter experts, leaders and stakeholders to address her priority issues.
“I believe it is my time. All my life I have been a giver, a servant of the people. I love it! My experiences, education, community projects, career and family responsibilities have prepared me for this journey,” Hubbard said.
More information on Dorothy Hubbard and her campaign for mayor of Albany is available atwww.hubbardformayor.com.
______________________________
John White Thinks Globally for Albany
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.”
______________________________
BJ Fletcher Cites Job Creation Experience
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 atwww.bj4mayor.com.
