Runoff election nears - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Runoff election nears

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:01 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:01:27 GMT
    Animal shelters and organizations across Georgia are getting a boost from grants totaling $125,000. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black made the announcement Wednesday.
    Animal shelters and organizations across Georgia are getting a boost from grants totaling $125,000. Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black made the announcement Wednesday that the Spay and Neuter

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:45:10 GMT
    The Albany Police Depart is engaged in a recruitment campaign to get its officer corps up to full strength. APD is budgeted for 214 officers, and right now is about 20 officers short of that level, and
    The Albany Police Depart is engaged in a recruitment campaign to get its officer corps up to full strength. APD offers the training program for people who do not already have POST certification. Starting salary for a rookie officer is over $33,000 annually.

  • Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:37 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:37:47 GMT
    Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop is joining more than forty members of congress who are asking the United States Postal Service to keep postal processing facilities open until spring 2014.
    Georgia Congressman Sanford Bishop is joining more than forty members of congress who are asking the United States Postal Service to keep postal processing facilities open until spring 2014.
    •   

December 4, 2005

Albany -  In just two days, voters will decide who will represent Ward 3 on the Albany City Commission. 

 Long-time incumbent Arthur K. Williams is facing a stiff challenge from political newcomer Morris Gurr.  

Gurr says the center of the Good Life City is the people.

"I love the people of Albany," says Gurr. 

The people and his faith moved him to run for the Ward 3 Commission seat.

 "Ward 3 is the heart of the city. If you look at it on the ward map now, there's no part of the ward that actually touches the city limits," says Gurr.

He's been walking those areas, going door-to-door, getting to know citizens' concerns ranging from urban re-development to cleaner alleys and yards. He says a lot still needs to be done.

"I think people are ready for a change. That's what I'm hearing," says Gurr.

Incumbent Arthur Williams has kept a low-profile throughout the election. He's out of town today, but his supporters gathered to talk about the race.

"Commissioner Williams has been there for his community. It's high time that this community would be there for him," says Reverend Roosevelt Carter.

Hank Young, who also ran for the seat on November 8th now throws his support behind Williams after talking with both candidates.

"I went back and told Mr. Gurr that I'm going to support Mr. Williams. I think it's the fair thing to do," says Young.

"We need to keep the seat. This seat is a historically black seat," says Young.

He thinks If Gurr won,  there would be a change in the balance of power at commission meetings.

Other Williams' supporters say Gurr votes Republican and that would cause a  shift in a predominately Democratic ward.

 "I know this is non-partisan but I'm very concerned to ensure that whoever comes in understands the plight of the disenfranchised," says Dougherty County Democratic Committee Chairperson Dr. Constance Burkes.

But Gurr says the ward 3 seat extends beyond political affiliations and racial lines.

 "It's never been a racial motivator for me in any way whatsoever, just being obedient to the Lord," says Gurr. 

Feedback: news@walb.com