Editor’s note: The Augusta Press is offering each candidate who announces a run in the Mayor race next year the opportunity to go long form before our cameras and speak on their positions on the issues with no time limit.
Current District 2 commissioner Dennis Williams was the first to announce his candidacy and the first to agree to a long-form interview. If you missed the video interview, you can find it here: Commissioner Dennis Williams Complete Interview – The Augusta Press
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The following is a summary of what he had to say:
Race Relations
Williams said he does not believe Augusta suffers from the racial issues that plague other American cities, but he agrees with Mayor Hardie Davis that the city should appoint some form of community board to hear complaints between private citizens.
According to Williams, the community board would act as a mediator but should not act like a court that would be empowered to levy fines or take other measures such as posting the names of those accused of non-criminal racial discrimination.
Stormwater Fee
Williams supports the stormwater fees, but he says the money needs to be spread out among the entire community. He says that any overage monies collected for stormwater abatement should never be turned over to the general fund.
On this issue, he says that while he is not in favor of churches paying a property tax, he hopes that churches understand that the fee benefits them directly in the long run.
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In an unguarded moment while talking about the politics involved in passing the stormwater measure as a “fee” rather than a “tax,” WIlliams was candid. He said the Commission could not get the six votes needed for fear of voter backlash. However, he thought voters might swallow a rebranded version of the word “tax.”
“You call it something different so people will think it’s something different,” he explained smiling.
New Savannah Lock and Dam
Williams says he is a big supporter of keeping the dam in place and make improvements. He doesn’t support any plan that would lower the pool in downtown Augusta.
“If you look at the future benefit the dam could be for our communities,” he says,” I am in favor of keeping it.”
EMS and Ambulance Service
Williams believes the city of Augusta should be the main provider of emergency services rather than continuing to allow the private company Gold Cross to provide the service.
“The city is responsible for the service no matter who the contractor is,” he says. “The city should be responsible for and in charge of the service.”
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
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