2007 Statesboro City Council candidates' forum

Georgia Southern's Student Government Association held a forum for the Statesboro City Council candidates on Tuesday, Oct. 9. I sat in, and here are my thoughts on the affair (in almost chronological order, no less).

Statesboro Mayor William Hatcher started the night. He began his remarks with positive words about Statesboro's growth and Georgia Southern's huge role in that.

Then, things got interesting. I (and many observers, it seems) expected him to stop there, with the usual "Happy to be here, Statesboro's great, good to see you students involved."

He didn't. Instead, he launched into a defense of the city's actions that were direct causes of such a contentious election. By doing so, he effectively endorsed the incumbents.

Hatcher emphasized that when the city cracked down on alcohol sales nearly two years ago, it was in response to GSU students and faculty that came to a City Council meeting demanding action. Those students and faculty had taken pictures at a "Ladies' Lockup" night at the Woodin Nikel (owned at the time by District 2 councilman Will Britt), and blown the damning evidence up to poster size.

His implication was that the council was responding to students' concerns. That's a little disingenous. Even if the events going on at the Nikel were appalling — women having alcohol sprayed down their open throats like so many baby birds looking for a handout come to mind — to say that the city passed its Draconian measures on behalf of the students is a stretch. That'd be like saying that since the Daughters of the American Revolution came to a meeting and didn't like the Confederate memorial on the courthouse lawn, that they're speaking for all of Statesboro.

Hatcher also defended the front yard parking ordinance (aesthetic reasons and property values) and touted moves the city has made to crack down on towing abuses. In the best "bring 'em on" tradition of George Bush, he said that two local towing companies are threatening to bring the city before the state's Public Service Commission for a hearing.

Hatcher stressed that the city isn't anti-business, and dropped hints about big stores coming soon (no Target, at least not for two or three years). He's only partially right. The city's not anti-business unless your business sells alcohol or does anything else that might upset the quiet morals of the Bible Belt.

Next came the candidates' opening statements. Will Britt started it off, apologizing for some comments he made on WVGS 91.9fm about students being targeted by police, and suggesting that the Statesboro "powers that be" don't want students to register or vote.

He's probably right in that regard. There's no doubt that the City Council enacted age limits for council and mayoral candidates after the last time a student ran. Students have never been a strong voting bloc in Statesboro, however, until this election - and that's because of quiet business efforts and overt student efforts to turn out a major portion to the polls.

Britt said he's been after the city about towing concerns for three years, and they've just now started to listen. I can vouch for that. He's had several conversations with me about towing concerns that stretch back to shortly after he was elected.

Britt's message (and the message of the other two challenger candidates) was that "punishment is not nearly as important as safety and education." He stuck doggedly to that message all night.

He also made a passing refence that "the market should dictate policy." I have a sneaking suspicion that several thousand members of the student "market" are going to do just that in early November.

District 2 councilman Gary Lewis delivered his remarks like a firey preacher. He was by far the most passionate speaker during the opening remarks. He seemed geniunely hurt that he's facing opposition in the race, and delivered the most pointed comments to that end.

He suggested that his opponent, Nathan Queen, was put up to running against him. He reiterated that any sweeping changes to alcohol laws would require a referendum, not city council votes. In the most dramatic moment of the night, he listed bars that he said had "problems" in the past.

"Will Britt, I was there for you," he said. "Retriever's, Jason Franklin, I was there for you. Rude Rudy's, John Starkey, I was there for you."

Lewis was partially right. Out of the "Old Statesboro" (to use my own turn of phrase) mambers of the City Council, he's been the most friendly to restaurant/bars aside from Britt. Still, he hasn't seen things their way every time.

Lewis said he didn't want to contribute to students' downfall, and wanted to be able to answer to their parents. That may have been a misstep, and here's why.

The students are, by vast majority, 18 and up. They live here and are constituents, their parents don't and aren't. Perhaps most importantly, fresh-faced college students taking steps into the harsh, real world don't want to hear that somebody's trying to parent them legislatively.

I was also surprised to see Lewis play the race card while trying not to play the race card. He started with "It's not a black thing, it's the right thing," but then flat-out said that the council needs a black member to reflect Statesboro's diversity.

He may be right, but that's up to the voters to decide.

District 5 councilman John Morris made a good appeal to challenge students to see more of Statesboro. He pushed the city's pro-business agenda during his speech (just so long as that pro-business agenda doesn't include Sunday alcohol sales).

Morris delivered the most technical speech of the candidates. He brought up work towards citywide wireless Internet access, and talked about infrastructure improvements toward 301 and I-16.

It was meaty stuff, but it made me wonder how much of it would have happened whether he was on the council or not — expanding communications and economic development along the 301 corridor are practically no-brainers. I can't see any council member voting against either.

Morris' big mistake may have been speaking about how he spearheaded a public smoking ban in Statesboro. In some college circles, that was none too popular.

Harry "Bubba" Propes, who's challenging Britt for the District 3 seat, gave the story of his moving to Statesboro to go to college, getting a great job in business and moving away, then coming back (and incidentally moving into a awesome house that I've wanted to buy since I was about ten years old).

He portrayed himself as someone who understands sutdents and can appreciate the city, and said he wants to pay back Statesboro for all it's done for him.

He tried to make the students feel like he was one of them, which seemed odd. When you're 21 and working on finishing your degree, it's hard to feel a kinship with a older businessman in a suit in front of you.

Propes took a couple of shots at Britt in his remarks. He said he has no conflicts of interest — Britt has had to recuse himself from some council votes — and also doesn't own a business or rental properties in Statesboro.

"I'm not here to capitalize off of you as students," he told them, a thinly-veiled jab at Britt, the former-bar-owner-turned-rental-tycoon.

One of his shots was a dud, though. He said Britt propsed "drastic" changes in his opening statement. I didn't hear any. On top of that, Propes asked "why haven't they been addressed before now?" If he was referring to towing, that's been on Britt's mind for a while.

District 2 challenger Nathan Queen looked nervous when he stepped up to the podium, but soon his his stride. Queen at times seemed to be quietly seething, and he told the students what they wanted to hear — that laws were being selectively enforced, that police could spend their time going after malicious crimes, and that the city is against them, as evidenced by the age limits for Council and Mayor.

He's mostly right, though Morris later brought up the point that the police are going to patrol near campus on the weekends, where the most action is.

Queen accused the city of passing a yard parking ordinance when the students were out for summer break, and said he was ready for a good bit of change. Judging from the voter registrations in his district, he may get his wish.

Travis Chance, who is going up against Morris for the District 5 seat, had a prior business obligation and couldn't make the debate. He sent his girlfriend, Shannon Edwards, to read a letter in his stead.

Note to Chance and Edwards: It's a little undignified to introduce yourself as a "girlfriend," especially when she's also your campaign manager. Use the campaign manager title so you seem like you're running a serious campaign.

Chance's remarks were understated. He used the standard boilerplate about Statesboro being a city that's on the move, changing and growing, and that everyone needs to have a voice in the process. He suggested that the city welcomes students on GSU Eagle game days, but isn't thrilled with them on the other six.

I haven't heard Chance speak, but Edwards had poise. I may just end up writing in a vote for her.

I can't decide if Chance's absence helped or hurt him. It makes him look like he might not despereately want the council seat, and his letter was far short of inspiring.

At the same time, if we can assume the traditional "whatever he's for, I'm a'gin it!" model of politics, he may have picked up points by letting Morris speak unopposed (more on that later).

The question-and-answer period for the candidates yielded few surprises.

Britt kept stressing "safety and education over punishment." He wants GSU to offer alcohol education classes (ironic, since he used to own two bars that were literally across the street from capus), and for students to be educated on their rights and responsiblities.

He's in favor of Sunday alcohol sales with strict limits on the time (like 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.). "It shouldn't be another night to go out," he said. He also wants to see a standardized "last call" time of 1 a.m., even on Saturdays. Alcohol promotes industry, he said.

If Las Vegas is any indication, he's right. But so does gambling. How far should the city be willing to go? Nobody wants "Statesvegas" (a great Web site, by the way).

Britt also fielded a question on why he voted against dropping towing fines. His answer was weak — he said he wanted to keep things simple, and since the state mandates a $125 towing fine, there was no need to complicate laws further.

Britt also lent his voice to a call for City Council or town hall meetings to be held on campus. He also wants to see more parks, and have the old Bulloch Memorial Hospital turned into a park.

He feels that some businesses in Statesboro operate "under duress," and that the city is missing a friendly business environment.

Lewis kept his answers to the questions pretty brief. He wants to have council meetins on campus periodically, and also reiterated that changes to alcohol laws should be handled by a referendum in the hands of the voters — putting the ball in their court.

Lewis also said that bartenders and restaurant/bar owners are responsible for not letting vulnerable patrons walk home intoxicated. Police could offer rides, but bartenders should be responsible for finding patrons a way home, he said.

As for business concerns, Lewis said that demographics determine if businesses want to come, and believes that Statesboro will see more arriving soon.

When asked about the council's move to raise the age requirements for running for council and mayor, Lewis didn't seem to understand the question. "It's always been 21," he said. When it comes to parking, he suggested that students just park in a "decent, respectable way."

As a former law enforcement officer, Lewis said that ticket fines should be consistent throughout Statesboro, though he noted that speeding fines are often determined by speed zones. Lewis said he wasn't aware that students felt like they were being targeted by the police, and suggested that they take their concerns to Police Chief Stan York or file a formal complaint (something that I've never heard of a student, even one complaining loudly and long, doing).

He also indicated a willingness to sacrifice some of Statesboro's green space in the name of development.

Lewis' biggest stumble may have been telling the students that Statesboro's becoming a popular retirement community. When the major issues that are driving them to the polls are based on "young" topics, they don't want to hear that.

He made a strong point, however, when he told the audience "We're not Atlanta. We can't do some of the things Atlanta does." Very true — I've personally had it with whiny suburban kids from Atlanta who think that every South Georgian is a drooling retard.

Morris didn't mince words about the relationship between students and the city. He said it's traditionally been good, but accused a "small group" of using alcohol and parking as a wedge.

He's right — but it's a pretty popular wedge issue, and the group isn't all that small.

Morris defended the revised alcohol ordinance, telling the students "I think we have your best interests at heart." Looking around the room, I saw several faces meeting him with a sarcastic look best characterized as "Yeah, thanks, Dad."

He also registered strong opposition to Sunday alcohol sales. "You have six days a week to buy it, to drink it, and do what you will with it," he said. "Sunday should be a day of rest."

That's injecting religion in politics. I wonder if the local Seventh Day Adventists are up in arms about Saturday sales.

He may be out of touch with the electorate as a whole, as well. He told the audience he didn't think that the community would approve of such sales — what? Business leaders don't seem to have a huge issue with it, students surely want it, and if the vote on the last big alcohol referndum (liquor by the drink) is any indication, it'd pass easily. Morris made a good point, however, by bringing up the specter of increased DUIs and accidents.

Morris said he and the city have worked hard to bring in industry, but that it's a process that involves several entities. That industry can keep highly qualified graduates from GSU in the community, he said. He also revealed that the mayor is working on an IT task force to bring high-tech industry to Statesboro, and said that Statesboro requires a certain amount of green space in every new development.

Morris made several principled stands throughout the night, which may just cost him the race if there's a big student turnout in his district.

He defended the age requirements for council and mayor. "We feel like this is a responsible age to be in a position of this magnitude," he said. He defended the front yard parking ordinance on aesthetic grounds, saying "We'll stand firm on that."

Morris was willing to listen on one major issue, however. Both Britt and Queen had strong words about people being arrested when they're trying to do the right thing — namely, underage passengers being arrested for being in possession of alcohol (in their bloodstream, no joke) when they're getting a ride home; and people being arrested for walking under the influence when they've made the decision not to drive home.

Law enforcement officials I've spoken to say that someone only gets pulled in for being a pedestrian under the influence when they're obviously a potential danger to either themselves or others, but the arrests do happen.

Morris said he was troubled by hearing that, and said that officers should perhaps offer rides home to drunk walkers.

Students aren't unduly targeted by police, he added, but it can seem that way since "police go to where the people are."

After being asked how the city and students can improve their relationship, Propes came out and gave the entire theme of the election: "Statesboro is a college town, y'all." At the same time, he said there has been "miscommunication from small groups on campus with self-serving agendas."

Again, those small groups aren't that small, but there do seem to be a lot of students who think that by voting Statesboro's suddenly going to turn into Athens after the first council meeting. The wheels simply don't turn that fast — this election may be just the first step in a longer transformation of Statesboro from rural farming community with a small teachers' college to a bona fide college town with a few farms around the periphery (that keep being bought up by developers).

Propes feels the alcohol laws are reasonable, but he doesn't have a problem with either the idea of Sunday sales or a referendum on the matter, so long as he can be assured there are advantages to having all-week sales.

Propes congratulated the council for dropping towing fines, but said he was in favor of the front yard parking ordinance, wanting rented homes to look just like owned homes. "I want things to be clean, I want things to be orderly," he said.

He may have done himself a disservice when he said he wouldn't comment on the age requiements for council and mayor, since he wasn't a part of that decision-making process.

Note to candidate: at least say "that's something I'm willing to take another look at." Safe, non-committal, and doesn't sound like you're disengaged in front of a room full of 21 year olds who've just been told by another candidate that they're not mentally qualified to run sheerly based on their age.

If students feel they've been targeted by law enforcement, Propes said he's willing to listen, and that laws should be applied consistently.

As far as business development, Propes said he agrees with Britt that the old Bulloch Memorial should be a park, and that he wants Statesboro's downtown to have improved aethetics.

He wants to "go the extra mile" to encourage business to come, which (like Morris) he said would help keep students around after they graduate (which, incidentally, is how he ended up in Statesboro).

Queen said that council members need to walk on-campus and talk to students to know what's affecting them, and that city government needs to understand that young people are going to make mistakes from time to time.

He presented a measured approach to alcohol in Statesboro. Queen likes that bars can't give away alcohol and that ladies' nights are forbidden, but agreed that a consistent 1 a.m. last call is a good move. As far as Sunday sales, he, like Lewis, put the ball in the voters' court. "It's your decision to get out and vote for that," he said. "If y'all want to see change, vote in change."

Non-consensual towing brought out Queen's passion. He called it "a license to steal," and said he wants to see fines dropped to $25 to discourage towing companies from taking advantage of students.

The age requirements for council and mayor are close to Queen's heart, since he fought a legal battle with the city after he wasn't allowed to run for mayor because of his age. He said a councilman gave a sworn statement that the move was designed specifically to keep students out of government — but he left everyone hanging when he never named which councilman it was.

Students' becoming involved in local politics is starting to change, but long overdue, he said.

As for front yard parking, Queen said it was a private property issue that could be handled by neighborhood covenants.

Queen suggested that students need set ticket fines, not discretionary ones to prevent their being victimized. He also said that selective enforcement of laws results in "maybe the college kids are picked on a little more." That targeting is tacitly allowed by the council, he said later, though "not all officers are doing this."

One thing to consider: there are a lot of college students here, so by the sheer force of proportion they're going to pick up more police attention.

One of Queen's pet issues is Luetta Moore Park, which is in his district. Its pool is closed, and he's not happy about that. He said that as property is annexed into Statesboro, people living on the city's Westside need more recreational opportunities.

Morris later took some of the wind from Queen's sails, even though the two aren't facing each other. The city owns Luetta Moore Park, but the county is responsible for its development. "We don't have a say in what happens there," he said.

Like other candidates, Queen wants to keep college students around after they graduate via increased business opportunities — he's a student himself, with plans to stay in Statesboro.

By the way, in the interest of full disclosure, I've had personal and business relationships with some of the candidates. I've performed with Gary Lewis as part of the Statesboro Blues Band. I've known Will Britt for 13 years and performed several times in clubs he's owned. Similarly, I've known Nathan Queen for several years and performed a number of times at Retriever's, which he manages.