Middle Georgia candidates talk politics at 8th annual HobNob

WARNER ROBINS — Middle Georgia political candidates took their campaigns to Warner Robins on Thursday, where they participated in the Robins Regional Chamber of Commerce’s eighth annual Middle Georgia Regional Political HobNob.

April Bragg, chief executive officer for the chamber, said she’s been to the last two annual HobNobs and wanted to do something different this year. Instead of candidates speaking for a designated amount of time, this year’s HobNob was a moderated forum.

About 200 people mingled with state representatives and senators as well as local mayors and city officials, some of whom are up for re-election on Nov. 3.

Centerville

Centerville City Councilman Jon Nichols is challenged by Edward D. Armijo for the post 4 seat. Armijo was not present for the event, so Nichols fielded questions alone.

When asked how he could bring stabilization to the city’s police department, Nichols said it’s a work in process.

“We’re going through a human resources issue,” Nichols said.

When asked about his vision for a downtown center, Nichols said he’d like to buy more property incrementally. He said there is a “clear vision” and money designated to move the project forward.

Byron

For Byron, candidate Rusty Adams is vying against Rick Knowles for the vacant post 2 seat on City Council. Knowles was not present for the event due to illness, a moderator said.

Adams, a former firefighter, has never been in politics before and said he’s been in public services for 33 years.

Bringing new businesses and more housing opportunities to the city and improving its fire station on Ga. 49 are among goals Adams said he’d like to accomplish. However, he said one of the biggest challenges for the city is its road system.

“We’ve built a big industrial park, but the roads to get there are not very tractor trailer friendly,” Adams said.

Warner Robins

There are three races for Warner Robins City Council this year.

Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins, who has served Post 2 for four years, is challenged by Jeffrey Walker, who was not present; Councilman Tim Thomas, who has served Post 4 for two years, is challenged by Betsy Loiacono, who moderators said had to leave before the forum due to a sick child; Councilman Mike Davis, who has served Post 6 for four years, is challenged by Carmen Antonio, who took part in the forum.

Candidates were first asked what they would do or are doing about the outdoor amphitheater that has yet to be built. The city allocated special purpose local option sales tax money to build it.

“We’re still working on some veterans’ parks right now,” Robbins said. She said the council hasn’t moved on to the amphitheater because it has yet to find an exact location for the project.

Davis said the use of SPLOST money takes planning and that several possible locations have been looked at. He said council member turnovers have made things difficult, noting that things get often thrown out when a new crew comes in.

“We’re doing the projects we feel are most important,” Thomas said.

Warner Robins candidates were asked about the prospects of a downtown and how important it is to them to have a focal point.

Thomas mentioned investing money into the older parts of town.

“We’ve got to make sure our city is balanced,” he said.

Davis said he is OK with and without a downtown, while Antonio said she’d like one and doesn’t know why there isn’t one already.

“I think we’ve got an excellent opportunity to grow that area and if we just move forward I think that’s something we can do,” Davis said.

Robbins said what’s considered now to be downtown was built in the 1940s.

“We haven’t done a whole lot to help it grow, but right now we’re getting ready to implement a (tax allocation district) in that area,” Robbins said. “That TAD will help us bring developers in there to be able to help.”

Earlier this year, Warner Robins City Council voted unanimously not to allow residents to keep chickens within city limits. A moderator asked if that decision could change or not.

“Would I vote for chickens?” Antonio asked. “It’s progressive. I don’t see why not. If you’re limited in the amount and they’re caged, I don’t see them running wild in the streets.”

Robbins, Davis and Thomas were not in favor of chickens within city limits.

Candidates were given a minute for remarks.

Thomas said, “We’re through the embarrassment of the last five or six years and I’d like to continue this if I could.”

Davis said he’s lived in Warner Robins 62 years and that he believes public service is about helping people.

“We are working hard and we are making good advancement,” Robbins said. “We have a lot of projects on the table and we need continuity to get through some of those projects.”

Antonio said she would like to offer her district better representation.

Early voting begins in October and the election will be Nov. 3.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4334 or follow her on Twitter @Lauraecor.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 9:31 PM with the headline "Middle Georgia candidates talk politics at 8th annual HobNob ."