Candidates questioned about city lawsuits, budgets and unity during forum

Candidates seeking office in three Columbus Council districts were peppered with questions about lawsuits from four elected officials, balancing the budget and other issues at a forum Thursday at the Columbus Public Library.

About 30 residents were on hand to hear from incumbent Berry “Skip” Henderson and attorney Teddy Reese for the at-large council seat, longtime councilor Evelyn Turner Pugh and newcomer Marquese “Skinny” Averett in Council District 4 and two newcomers, attorney Walker Garrett and electrical contractor Jonathan Paul Davis, vying for Council District 8, the seat formerly held by longtime councilor C.E. “Red” McDaniel who died in 2014. The forum was sponsored by the Muscogee County Democratic Party.

Only Reese and Henderson tackled the question when a voter asked how the council would work on reconciliation with four elected officials suing the city over alleged inadequate budgets. Those officials include Marshal Greg Countryman, Sheriff John Darr, Superior Court Clerk Linda Pierce and Municipal Court Clerk Vivian Creighton Bishop.

Henderson noted that he couldn’t talk much about the case, which is still in the courts, but said he respects all elected officials.

“I understand the significance and importance of the jobs they do,” he said. “I tell you, it is about relationships.”

Before the sheriff filed his suit, Henderson said he and Darr sat at his kitchen table on a Sunday to see if they could get through some of the gaps and discrepancies the sheriff was requesting and what was recommended.

“We value every individual in the Consolidated Government,” he said. “I respect their right to take whatever action they feel they need to get their job done.”

Reese, who has worked with officials on the state and federal level, said as an attorney, the court would not have looked at the suit if it was frivolous.

Relationship is about respect.

“It is about having the ideas and energy to move forward for everyone to work together,” he said. “Even deciding to run in this election it’s amazing how people want to treat you cause you want to exercise your constitutional right and run for office. That’s not fair. We all live here together.”

Davis and Garrett were asked about improving unity in District 8, one of the most diverse in the city. Davis wants to bring the community back together with community gatherings and events.

“Let’s focus on our similarities and not our differences,” he said. “There are so many different things you can do but it starts with people. We’ve got to figure out a way just because you live in Hilton Heights doesn’t mean you can’t talk with anybody in East Highland. Stop worrying about where we are located. We are people and let’s come together as a community.”

Garrett said the people in all parts of the district need to be represented.

“They need to be listened to,” he said. “Everyone in the district needs to feel like they have an equal voice. It doesn’t need to be one neighborhood being heard over the other. It needs to be equal representation for all.”

Residents in Beallwood are concerned about recreation.

“They don’t understand why,” he said. “We got other areas of the district that have more amenities. I want to make sure every area in the district has equal amenities.

Averett and Pugh differed on working with the mayor on the budget and what programs could possibly get cut. Turner said she has worked on budgets before she came on the council. She would not make any decisions on the fiscal budget until department heads come before the council about needs.

“It’s a possibility the department head will not come and ask for additional funding,” she said. “We never know that until we get the budget. We can speculate until the sun goes down.”

Averett said the 10-member council should be on the same page about the budget so it won’t get into a situation like the four lawsuits. During the campaign, when it comes to cutting programs, Averett supports cutting $300,000 subsidy for Oxbow Meadows and Bull Creek Golf Course. Programs for young people should be considered.

“We should see a return on our investment,” he said. “What are you doing for our young people.”

This story was originally published May 5, 2016 at 9:26 PM with the headline "Candidates questioned about city lawsuits, budgets and unity during forum."