Questions for Fayetteville candidates:

1. Whether an incumbent or challenger, what things do you bring to the table that would convince voters to cast their vote for you?

2. There has been some previous discussion about the area on the north side of Ga. Highway 54 between the hospital and Tyrone Road in terms of future development and possible annexation. What is your position on that or other potential annexations?

3. Fayetteville often has a very low voter turnout for municipal elections. Why is that and what can you do to increase voter participation past the 10 percent level?

4. The retail areas on Fayetteville’s north side continue to age and diminish. What will you do about that?

5. Grade the current City Council on openness and transparency to city residents. What will you do to improve the council’s “user-friendliness”?

6. Will you vote for or against the countywide SPLOST renewal? Why or why not?

7. Describe your general political philosophy, particularly regarding local government.

Answers from Mickey Edwards, candidate for Post 4

1. First of all, I will listen with respect to all citizens and take a common-sense approach to all problems. I will serve only the residents of Fayetteville with complete honesty and transparency. I believe in frugal spending which can be of tremendous value in today’s economy.

2. I would be against annexation unless there was a good reason. I’m not against growth but I would encourage any new business to consider empty space that is currently available first and foremost. However, if a business needed to have a special use building, I wouldn’t be against it if it made sense. I would have to consider traffic and impact on surrounding neighborhoods and subdivisions (i.e., night lights, noise in early morning hours, etc.).

3. I would get the community involved more by forming groups of community leaders to encourage people to participate. I will ask for a representative from each subdivision (new and old) within the city. If an older community doesn’t have a homeowners association or neighborhood watch, I will encourage them to form one. A community is only as good as its residents. If we want a good place to live, we all must do our part.

4. The city has allocated funds for a redevelopment study and has applied for matching funds from the state. We have smart business people in our city that have concerns about our local economy. Who better to help form a plan than those it directly affects? I’d like to form a business association of any local businesses that wish to participate and include any land owners. Local businessmen working with local government make sense to me. I will ask for input from them as to what is needed.

5. As to openness and transparency, I’ll let the citizens of Fayetteville judge for themselves. I don’t think it helps anything to “sling mud” and “trash talk.” As far as user friendliness, I can only speak for myself. I would be in front of the council room for one on one discussions with citizens before and after meetings. If someone wanted to ask a question or give an opinion without doing it in session, I’ll be more than willing to listen. Standing in a council meeting and asking a question in front of the public and councilmen is intimidating to many people. I’d like to investigate the cost of video recording equipment and equipment for the hearing impaired as well.

6. I talked with one of the non-elected city employees, and they stated it would hurt the city’s transportation projects if it failed. The county would be a big help if they would state the funds would be used to reduce debt and reduce debt only. My first concern is for the city of Fayetteville, so I will vote for it. Much of the money will come from those who use our services but don’t pay for it. It’s not an additional tax but an extension of one already in place. I have encountered anger from most citizens about reckless spending at all levels.

7. I am for term limits. Two terms are enough! Power seems to change people at all levels. The city belongs to the people. When anyone starts out as an elected official, I think they do it for the right reasons. It is absolutely necessary to stay in touch with the people, rich and poor. Without listening to the needs of the business community, we are bound to fail.

You cannot create the perfect city, you can only do the best you can to protect everyone’s interest. Elected officials are servants of the people and should act accordingly. Anyone who holds public trust should hold themselves to a higher standard.

Spending should be as necessary and not just spend it because we have it. What’s wrong with having a good reserve? Be a friend to small business and don’t regulate them out of business.

Development is not a bad thing; however, it does need to be controlled. We need to pay particular attention to how the surrounding areas would be affected. The recent flooding in Douglasville is a good example of what can happen if stormwater is not controlled.