THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWS-GAZETTE STORY BY JENNIFER BAILEY
ABOVE: Danville NAACP Branch 3009 President Ed Butler, far left, speaks at the start of a candidate forum of Danville City Council candidates at Danville Area Community College Thursday night. Candidates from left, Thomas Hightower, Doug Ahrens, Robert Williams, Barry Johnson, Jaleel Jones, Tricia Teague and Heidi Wilson.
DANVILLE — On the first day of early voting that saw a very slow start in the city, with only one voter as of Thursday afternoon according to Danville Election Commission Executive Director Sandy Delhaye, several Danville City Council alderman candidates participated in a forum in front of about 20 people.
The Danville NAACP hosted the forum at Danville Area Community College. Those participating were: Ward 1 Alderman candidates incumbent Robert Williams and challenger Jaleel Jones; Ward 3 Alderman candidates incumbent Heidi Wilson and challenger Thomas Hightower; incumbent Tricia Teague in Ward 4 who has no challenger; and Ward 7 Alderman candidates newcomers Doug Ahrens and Barry Johnson. Current Ward 7 Alderman Darren York didn’t seek re-election because he’s moving out of the ward.
One audience question was about top priorities for the city. Hightower said taxes are too high; Ahrens said finding a process for the community to be engaged in critical decision making such as with the pool and through ward meetings, and also the replacement of fire stations; Williams said the inner city is a shame and blight and burned out houses need to be demolished, and more restaurants are needed; Johnson said the city needs to collectively develop strategies to make the city what it should be by working together; Jones said funding needs to be better utilized for youth; Teague said lack of focus on economic development; and Wilson said economic development, lower taxes, and more youth activities.
Other questions were about having time to be an alderman and how would you balance your personal beliefs versus what is best for the community?
All said they will commit and show up as an alderman.
Hightower said his decisions will not be based only on what his beliefs are, but the best interest of the community.
Ahrens said he looks forward to hearing what neighborhood groups and residents want. Aldermen serve others, he said.
Williams said he’s glad to discuss situations with people and come to some agreement. He doesn’t think he should put his opinion above others.
Johnson said he is the worker and the city is his customer. He will engage the community and get their ideas and differences. He will respect difference of opinion. He said aldermen need to listen, and can agree or agree to disagree.
Jones said everything is for the people, and he would be there to be the person they can come to with their beliefs. “My beliefs come second because I’m there to serve them,” he said.
Teague believes in preparation as an alderman and takes the time.
“It’s just a sacrifice you have to make,” she said.
Data first helps her with decisions, then she looks at all facets and is open minded before making a decision, she said.
Wilson said life has a way of not always making an alderman able to be there 100 percent of the time, with illnesses, deaths in the family, vacations and other issues.
“You’re there when you can be there and you put 100 percent in when you are there,” Wilson said.
She said alderman decisions are to look out for the best of everyone living in the city.
Another question concerned what policies the city can implement to make Danville a pro-business community.
“Starting a business in Danville is like pulling teeth from a tiger,” Hightower said. Average persons can’t start a business here with a lot of city regulations, he said, and a lot of minority businesses fail. He said the city can’t only cater to people in a clique.
Ahrens said they need to ask the businesses because they’re not engaged enough. Allow them to participate, he said.
“Did (tax increases) go to the business community first for their thoughts? No it didn’t,” he said.
Williams said there’s a lot the city can do for minority businesses. “They’re not getting the finances they need,” he said.
Johnson said, “I’ve never seen any dialogue with state leaders” as it relates to having better business practices for Danville, such as easing taxes and easing burdens to make businesses more successful.
Jones said the city can be more open, engage business owners, give businesses a helping hand to help them grow, promote them, and ask the public what businesses they want here.
Teague said matching dollars can support small businesses and start-ups.
Wilson said the only other way to attract businesses in the community, besides investing monetarily, is changing Danville’s reputation and improving quality of life.
In closing comments, Hightower talked about the water supply in attracting manufacturers. Ahrens talked about tax discrepancy must be stopped among wards; they must make the city the best it can be for around 25,000, taking out the prison population; and public advisory referendums can direct the city’s solid waste and fire services such as if two and not three fire stations are needed for the future.
Williams talked about bringing Danville love and advertising it. Johnson talked about standing up and helping the cause for Danville.
Jones talked about being excited to become an alderman and being committed to bring safer neighbors and a brighter future to Ward 1 and the whole community. He thinks he’d be “a great piece to this city council.”
Teague talked about serving as an alderman being the honor of her life. Wilson said she thinks she’s done a great job of doing what is right the last four years as alderwoman and she hopes she can continue the work.
“We still do have a lot left to do,” Wilson said.
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