Our choices in Columbus Council races
Three seats on Columbus Council are on the ballot this year. Two feature veteran incumbents against young challengers; the other pits two young newcomers against one another.
In District 4, Columbus community organizer Marquese Averett challenges the council’s senior member, Evelyn Turner Pugh. Averett, who says one of his slogans is “It’s time,” shares Pugh’s emphasis on more and better recreation opportunities for young people, especially in their south Columbus district. He points to a lack of economic opportunity in the district, and says the four officials’ lawsuits against the mayor and council attest to a “failure of compromise,” a failing he would like to address.
Pugh, as a current member of council, says she can’t comment on the suit. On the subject of recreation and opportunity, one of the most interesting ideas she has put forth is the possibility of “meshing” recreation and Metra to give people better access to rec sites, using some of the sales tax money coming in to the public transit service.
She also says that with the Fort Benning drawdown, the city and the chamber of commerce need to “step up” and coordinate with Columbus Tech, CSU and other educational institutions to create the work force to bring better-paying jobs here.
Pugh remains committed to the job of making Columbus better, though we are impressed with her opponent’s energy and public spiritedness. We recommend Evelyn Turner Pugh for reelection.
The District 8 post will be filled by a new — and young — councilor regardless of which candidate wins. And from our perspective, either would serve the city responsibly and well. Jonathan Paul Davis, an independent business owner, faces off against attorney Walker Garrett for the district that includes Bibb City, East Highland and Lakebottom.
Davis notes that while crime is “trending down,” it’s still too high, and he shares the District 4 candidates’ concern that there are too few options for young people. He said the decision not to pull resources from other recreation centers to keep the Natatorium open longer was the correct one (he’s right), and he suggests that the city look into leasing garbage trucks as an alternative to the expense of trying to replace an obsolete fleet. Davis also said the next Charter Review Commission should consider merging the Marshal’s and Sheriff’s departments.
Garrett says the city needs more focus on long-term budgeting — the Natatorium problem, he said, is something the city should learn from. One of his ideas is that Columbus should look into possible options for interest-bearing accounts in its next SPLOST project list. He says council members should be more active as advocates for the city as liaisons to the legislative delegation.
These young men both bring fresh ideas to the race. We give the slight edge to Walker Garrett on the basis of more civic experience.
Finally, in Post 10, an at-large or citywide seat, incumbent Skip Henderson faces a challenge from young Columbus attorney Teddy Reese. Reese, like Pugh, says the city should be more engaged with colleges and technical schools to link job skills up with employers who might be lured or kept here. He is critical of the city’s spending down the reserve fund, which he blames on “bad budgeting practices.”
Henderson, a 19-year council veteran, acknowledges some of the city’s problems, especially its budget challenges, but also points to its growth, progress and successful public investment and business recruitment efforts over the last 15 or 20 years.
Henderson has been one of Columbus Council’s steadiest hands and most dependable voices of reason and responsibility during his tenure in public service. For all Mr. Reese’s obvious intelligence and the proven civic commitment he would bring to the council, it shouldn’t be at the cost of voting Skip Henderson out.
These are our picks. If you haven’t already made yours, please make sure to do so.
WEDNESDAY: Judicial, clerk and law enforcement endorsements.
This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 5:58 PM with the headline "Our choices in Columbus Council races."