SWGA Politics » Arthur Williams

Election Day tomorrow

Tom — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:00:30 +0000

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.

Ward 3 race cleared up…kinda

Tom — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:00:12 +0000

Yesterday, the Election board upheld the candidacy of both Arthur Williams and Christopher Pike. However, there was mention in the Albany Herald of Williams possibly appealing the decision regarding Pike. Pike called the challenge “grandstanding”, and he’s probably right.

Williams, on the other hand, was up to his old tricks.

Williams candidacy was being challenged Lon McNeil, a fellow columnist with the Albany Journal. McNeil’s challenge was based on evidence on SWGAPolitics.com that Williams owed back taxes. Williams, however, showed that he hadn’t changed to much at all. Instead of simply arguing that he was all clear, as the legal experts said he was, he instead attacked McNeil’s standing to bring about the challenge.

For years, Arthur Williams sat on the City Commission. For those who’ve lived here a while, this probably comes as no surprise. Williams has always been the type would would rather attack you than your position, even though he may actually be in the right. McNeil, in the mean time, is a concerned citizen who doesn’t want a tax cheat in the Ward 3 seat.

Maybe Williams is just uncomfortable with people who want honesty in public office?

Perhaps it’s just me, but if there are concerns about the eligibility for candidacy, the candidate should welcome the change to show that they’re eligible to run. At the very least, there shouldn’t be attacks against the residency of a citizen who will be voting in the November election. Now, however, Williams can move forward and not have to worry about being questioned as a tax cheat or anything of the type. After all, it’s been cleared up, right?

Of course, there’s a reason why all of Albany rejoiced when Ward 3 elected Morris Gurr instead of Williams.

Can Williams even run?

Tom — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 23:07:57 +0000

WALB’s Karen Cohilas is reporting that there is one major obstacle to Arthur Williams bid to reclaim his Ward 3 City Commission seat: Approximately $100,000 that’s owed to the IRS that may well make him ineligible to fill the seat

Obviously, if he’s unable to run, then it’s smooth sailing for Chris Pike, who will be unopposed for the Ward 3 seat.

Financial bills are nothing new for Williams, who’s previous stint on the City Commission was filled with overspending on his city travel and expense accounts, as well as the money he currently owes to the IRS. Yep, he’s owed it for that long.

The Return of Arthur Williams

Tom — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:38:18 +0000

WALB, in an email alert, states that former Albany City Commissioner Arthur Williams is currently qualifying for the Ward 3 seat being vacated by Commissioner Morris Gurr. There’s been a lot of speculation lately about Williams running for the seat that Gurr defeated him for last time it was up for grabs.

Williams was…well…my Mom always told me that if I wasn’t able to say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all. As such, I’ll be very quiet now.

Luckily, Chris Pike has already qualified, making this one a contested race. We’ll have more about this race as it becomes available to us.