Political newcomers tryingto fill District 8 council seat

Two newcomers to local politics will try to fill the Council District 8 seat formerly held by longtime Councilor C.E. “Red” McDaniel, who died in November 2014.

Walker Garrett, an attorney, and Jonathan Paul Davis, an electrical contractor, will face off in the May 24 general primary election for the Columbus Council seat that includes the neighborhoods of Bibb City in the north and Lakebottom and East Highland in the central part of town.

The race between Garrett and Davis is different from other local races. They will be involved in two elections. Under the city charter, a special election is held to fill the vacancy created by the death of McDaniel. Former state Rep. Tom Buck was named to fill the rest of McDaniel’s council term until a special election was held.

In one race, voters select a candidate to fill the remainder of the May-December term on council and the regular election for Council District 8 in the second. Each candidate paid two separate qualifying fees approved by the council.

What the city has done for downtown Columbus is what Garrett, 31, wants to see throughout the city.

“When I grew up here, you didn’t go downtown. It wasn’t safe,” Garrett said. “Now we see a vibrant community. I want to see that same community throughout our city.”

Davis, 28, said he would serve as a voice for all in the district and make sure everybody’s voice is heard in the district with low-income to affluent people.

“I want to be that person and represent them and make sure they are heard,” he said.

Davis would like the community to come together regardless of what part of town you call home.

“I want to make sure Columbus keeps going on the track it’s going,” he said.

People are moving into Lakebottom and residents of Bibb City created a neighborhood association, but all areas aren’t thriving, Garrett said of issues facing the district.

“We have some areas that are vibrant and then we have some that people want to make vibrant, but they need more attention from the council, like Beallwood,” he said. “They feel like they have not been listened to very much.”

In his campaign, Garrett said he is going to give out his cellphone number if he is elected, so people may contact him.

“I want to make sure in my district not one neighborhood feels like they can’t get in touch with me,” he said.

Davis’ big concern is not just in the district, but citywide when it comes to the fiscal state of finances. The city’s reserve fund keeps shrinking and more money is spent on the Columbus Aquatic Center, he said.

Recreation centers provide a resource for youth but they are needed in neighborhoods.

“When I was growing up, you go play basketball and you don’t see that anymore,” Davis said. “The Aquatic Center is nice, but we need to have some community-based centers.”

Garrett identified the recreation facility in Beallwood as one that needs work.

“They have a recreation facility that nothing has been done with it,” he said. “They don’t know the status it’s going to be.”

Garrett said teens need a safe place to go and seniors need a facility.

“We have to make sure everybody is taken care of throughout the district, not just one nice neighborhood but throughout all neighborhoods in the city,” he said.

Crime is a problem that people are always talking about in the district, although the numbers are trending down, Davis said.

“When a crime is committed, they are feeling it close to home,” he said.

To make an impact on crime, Davis said he would like to see neighborhoods such as Winchester, Kingston, Beallwood and East Highland with a neighborhood association similar to the one in Bibb City.

As a father of two boys and two girls and one who coaches youth baseball, Davis said residents want more options for youth 16 years old and older.

“People want more and more things for youth to do,” he said.

Davis is not referring to the city as baby-sitting but youth need the opportunity to do something constructive with sports or organized activities.

“I think young people will make the right choice,” he said.

If Garrett is elected, he said voters can expect him to be responsive and always have a rational reason for voting on an issue.

“There are reasons why I cast my vote one way or the other and I will listen to my constituents,” he said. “I’m not the expert on everything, but in District 8 there is probably an expert in every area whether it be in law enforcement or business, you name it. There are people out there and they just need to be listened to.”

Davis said he will represent all residents of District 8 if he is elected.

“I’m going to have an open conversation with citizens and they can call me at any time,” he said. “I’m going to represent them with integrity. I’m going to be fiscally responsible and ask many questions on that city council to make sure everything is covered. I’m not going to cater to any one group.”

On the 10-member council, it takes six votes to get anything accomplished. Garrett said voting for him gives the district someone who will work with other councilors to make progress.

“Sometime you have to draw a line in the sand when you know there are critical issues,” he said. “You have to realize that your ideas are not always the best and you have to listen to other ideas. In order to move forward, sometime you have to make compromises with the other side,” he said.

One main reason Davis said voters should elect him is because he’s not a politician.

“I don’t look like one and don’t act like it,” he said. “ I’m a normal citizen.”

Davis noted that he’s the father of four children, married to his wife, owns a small business and serves in the U.S. Army National Guard. He also coaches youth baseball and is active in the community.

“I think I can represent more people in District 8 if not all people better than a politician would,” he said.

This story was originally published April 28, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Political newcomers tryingto fill District 8 council seat."