By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald
The three candidates for Guyton mayor; and two candidates for each of the two city council posts, sounded off Oct.9 at a debate held at Liberty Christian Church in Guyton.
Approximately 80 people attended the event.
Each candidate had a few minutes to introduce themselves and their platform. Questions were given by moderator Kaley Fedko, reporter/anchor for WSAV in Savannah. Each candidate had time to answer the question; and offer a rebuttal to their opponent. Questions were also fielded from the audience in the two-hour debate.
Two things all the candidates seemed to agree upon is “Guyton is a wonderful place to live,” and “Guyton has a great school system.”
From there, it seemed everything was fair game: sewage and drainage issues, paving streets, the police department, the YMCA, and the budget.
“We've come a long way since I took office four years ago,” Mayor Russ Deen began. “From one police officer, no city clerk, no city manager, to the town that we have today, where we're paving roads, improving drainage, and bringing the YMCA.”
Michael Garvin said he’s running for change.
“I'm running for the simple fact that I see some things that need to change; some things that need (to be) completed, so I'm running so that we can make a difference to give the citizens their voice back, because deserve that right.
Andy Harville concurred with Garvin, saying, “A lot of people think that our voices have been lost; so, I’d like to get our voices back.”
All three mayoral candidates talked about the need for infrastructure improvements and maintaining “small town” Guyton.
“We’re working towards improving streets, water, sewer, and planning to the future,” Deen began. “We're in the midst of an economic development master plan as well as a recreation master plan. And all of these things will preserve our quality of life.
“We got to work with historic preservation, planning and zoning, and keeping good people involved where we can maintain the historic Guyton while planning for the future of Guyton,” Deen added.
“The city put lipstick on a pig when they paved Crossgate Road,” Harville charged, blaming the city for continued drainage problems in the area.
“People don’t get big and heavy overnight. The city’s the same way,” Deen rebutted Harville. “The drainage problem is something that’s been going on for 20 years, and it just comes down to neglect.”
Deen went on to say that the Crossgate development was built on low land, and building codes were not the same as they are now.
“Future developments are much more restricting, so that the problems and mistakes aren't made again and at the same time we are still committed to improving drainage at Crossgate and throughout the city,” Deen said.
City Council Post 1
Jeremiah Chancey is running against incumbent Marshall Reiser for Post 1.
“I am what I would like to call the ‘positive and productive’ choice,” Reiser began. “I am a CPA and my wife and I own a CPA practice here in town.” He cited Guyton’s quality of life for moving to Guyton from Atlanta.
Chancey also cited Guyton’s small-town feel for moving his family here seven years ago.
But he challenged his opponent saying, “I think the direction we’re heading is not the way we should be heading. I just think the decisions that they’ve made are counterproductive to where we need to be and where we need to go.”
Reiser and Chancey both mentioned growth and infrastructure.
“The city is in the process of finishing our master plan,” Reiser began. “The master plan will allow us to make decisions based on what the citizens have said what’s important to them.
“It will allow us to grow in a smart way. Growth is coming,” Reiser continued. “You just want to make sure that we provide opportunities for our citizens to live, work, and play here.”
Reiser added that the current government is stable.
“If you introduce folks who don’t necessarily have a solid platform, you’re not really sure what you’re getting. You know what you’re getting with us,” Reiser said.
Chancey again brought up the wastewater treatment and flooding.
“I think growth is good, but until you fix the wastewater capacity issues and stormwater runoff flooding issues, no growth is possible,” Chancey said. “You have to have a plan.”
“We do have a plan, and that’s what I mentioned when I first came up here,” Reiser rebutted. “We’re not doing it willy-nilly. We’re doing what is good for the city.”
There was some back-and-forth regarding the purchase of the land for the YMCA. Both Deen and Hursula Pelote reminded their respective opponents that the land is paid for, and owned by the city. The YMCA is leasing the land and the two buildings; and that the rent will be paid to the city. The city of Guyton is not paying to build the YMCA. The organization will do the fundraising and build the childcare facility.
City Council Post 2
Theodore Hamby is challenging incumbent Pelote for Post 2.
Pelote began saying she is a retired educator with Effingham County Schools and added, “We have made significant improvements to the police and infrastructure; and TSPLOST has driven our community improvement. Our strength is in our unity.”
Hamby did not offer an introduction, but rather began with the city’s recent passage of an ordinance regarding mobile homes.
“They go behind closed doors and make these decisions,” Hamby said.
“My opponent apparently doesn’t know the meaning of a moratorium,” Pelote rebutted.
“A moratorium is a pause, and that’s what we did,” Pelote explained. “We took a pause to look at the issue.”
Hamby and Pelote argued a variety of topics, including healthcare and school speed-zone cameras.
“I would like to see us work on mental health,” Pelote said.
“Pillar Drugstore is great healthcare,” Hamby offered.
“Cameras prevent accidents in the area,” Pelote said regarding the speed zone camera in front of Guyton Elementary.
“I believe they’re a Fourth Amendment violation, completely unconstitutional (and a) money grab,” Hamby retorted.
“Maybe we need to take responsibility for what we do,” Pelote said. “Going through a school zone, we need to slow down.”
