SWGA Politics

Election Day tomorrow

Tomorrow, citizens of the region will head to the polls to elect various local officials.  Two races in particular grab my attention, one in Albany and one in Leesburg.  The one in Leesburg shouldn’t be surprising since Jeff is a candidate.  Needless to say, he’s going to get my endorsement…not that I think it’s that big of a deal.  Jeff is the only candidate in that race who seems to actually be saying anything.  If he’s not elected, then it’ll be proof that the good old boy system is still alive and well in Southwest Georgia.

In Albany though, things are a little interesting.

The two candidates come from completely different places and represent very different things, not just for Ward 3 but for Albany as a whole.  On one hand, we have Arthur Williams who had on the commission for over 20 years.  On the other, we have political newcomer Christopher Pike.

Neither candidate has really done a lot of talking in the media about issues, instead seeming to choose their buzzwords.  For Williams, it’s experience.  For Pike, it’s vision.  So who’s buzzword is more worthy of votes?

For my money, it’s Pike’s.  Yes, Williams has experience.  He has lots of experience in race baiting, improperly filling out expense reports, and just generally being a pain in the butt for Albany as a whole and Ward 3 in particular.  There was a reason why Ward 3 kicked him out of office.  Pike, on the other hand, represents change.  Is it good change or bad change?  Who knows…but Pike seems to understand that we’ve got to try new things because the old stuff just ain’t working.

It’s also worth noting that Williams, in his 20 years of “experience”, didn’t really seem to do a damn thing to help move Albany in a positive direction.  If he didn’t get the job done in 20 years, then why should he get a chance now?   He apparently wasn’t able to bring jobs to Albany.  He wasn’t able to help curb the influx of gangs during his tenure.  He couldn’t stem the influx of apathy in the community.  He couldn’t do it then, so why should he get think he should get the chance now?

Instead, he needs to focus on just paying his taxes.

Pike, on the other hand, represents something new.  What exactly that form will take is a mystery, as it is with all new candidates.  Change, in and of itself, isn’t always a good thing.  But Pike believes that he has a vision for the future.  Any vision that involves jobs and growth has got to be better than what we have now and puts Pike above the vast majority on the Commission right now.

So, yes, I am endorsing Pike.  Williams had his day in the sun, and that day should remain over.  This needs to be the Age of Pike for Ward 3 and for Albany.