Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Six candidates line up for Georgetown City Council

Six candidates are facing off for the three open Georgetown City Council seats Nov. 3, focusing on issues that range from streamlining the budget, consolidating city services and the lack of adequate workforce housing.

The race includes two incumbents, guaranteeing that there will at least be one new face on council. Democrats Brendon Barber, an incumbent, Jeanette Ard and Dedric Bonds will vie for a spot on the council against Republicans Paige Sawyer, an incumbent; James Moody and Bruce Yablin.

The city has faced a difficult year with the indefinite shutdown of the ArcelorMittal steel mill in July, a lawsuit against the mayor filed by City Council members of what a judge deemed was an illegal vote in relation to vote to rezone property owned by the mayor; the ousting of former administrator Steve Thomas; dealing with a $500,000 loss in sewer and water fees from the steel mill and budget shortfall.

The candidates had their own ideas on how to address the city's economic issues.

"The biggest issue I see facing our city is the continuation of services provided to a shrinking population," said Sawyer, 61, a photographer. "Without the reduction of some employees, the consolidation of some service with the county or contracting or privatizing services to an outside vendor that can render the same service at a lower cost, I don't know how much longer the city can sustain itself. Unless the tax base increases substantially, our city cannot continue as it is."

Sawyer said he has tried while on council without success to cut costs, including asking for an employee furlough of one day a month for six months; consolidating the city's water department with the Georgetown County Water and Sewer District, not raising the Christmas bonuses for employees by $50 and reducing garbage pick-up to once a week.

Sawyer said he did succeed in having the front desk at the police department close after 11 p.m. saving the city about $40,000 a year.

Moody said the biggest issue the city faces is an out-of-control budget.

"We need to redefine the purpose of government," said Moody, 60, who owns Moodys' Mechanical. "Each department will be reviewed for purpose of efficiency...work with county government in combining services for saving and efficiency."

As the owner of a company that is 26 years old and employer of 16 people, Moody said he understands what it takes for businesses to survive.

"When government spends, it creates tax burdens, when people spend, it creates jobs," Moody said.

Ard, the owner of a florist and ice cream shop on historic Front Street, also pushed for streamlining the budget.

"Spending has been way over budget, and staff feels that if something is budgeted that the money has to be spent," Ard said. "We should have a budget based on needs, no frills, and not wants."

There is a need to reduce staffing because of the decreasing population and for the city to become more business friendly, said Ard, who has run for council in 1999, 2001 and 2005.

For other candidates like Barber and Bonds the city's biggest problems deal with social issues

"[A] lack of adequate workforce housing is the biggest issue affecting Georgetown," said Barber, 55, who works for the Georgetown County School District as a safety educator.

He proposes working with developers to provide incentives to build the needed housing.

"I truly want the city of Georgetown to be the best community possible for all its citizens and for Georgetown to be a safe and prosperous city," he said.

Bonds, 33, who is self-employed managing property he owns, said there is a need for activities for youth between 10 and 19.

"There is nothing for them to do, nothing to engage them," Bonds said. "While I do understand there are other pressing issues that need to be faced in order to run an efficient government, I do feel that government plays an integral role in social development and communal development. "

Although Georgetown County runs all parks and recreation activities for the entire county, including the city, Bonds said, there is room for creative solutions seeking grants and partnerships with national associations.

"I would think the city can find a way to bridge divide with little or no cost to the city," said Bonds, who is running for a council seat for the second time. "While I laud the candidates who talk about jobs, I relate the future to youth development."

Yablin could not be reached for comment. The election is Nov. 3