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September 2, 2010
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Our View: Mayor earns second term
Published November 1, 2009
Voters in Monroe can consider themselves fortunate this year in that both candidates for mayor — incumbent Greg Thompson and challenger Wallace Beall — seem to have the city’s best interests at heart.
Both men are longtime residents of the city and each offers a stark difference in what he offers voters.
That’s a good thing.
Thompson has four years experience in the office and his term came during the most trying times in decades. The nationwide recession hasn’t left Monroe unscathed and the city’s leaders have been forced to cope.
They’ve done so without cutting services or having to reduce employees’ pay — the state government can’t make the same claim — despite rolling back the millage rate each year.
Beall argues more can be done. From day one, he’s been talking about cutting utility rates. Early this decade, when the Monroe Utilities Network books were in disarray, he cleaned them up.
Beall was a city councilman then and he rightly earned praise for his role in getting the numbers in order.
However, we are wary of Beall’s claim to be able to reduce utility rates.
Beall says he isn’t privy to the full financial data. He insists it’s possible to cut rates, but without seeing how he’ll do it, we have a hard time signing on to the idea of picking a new mayor based on a wish rather than a concrete plan.
We also haven’t been able to buy into Beall’s plan to build a new reservoir when most experts seem to think it isn’t necessary, especially with Walton County working to build one now.
We endorse Thompson for a second term.
A business owner, he has served Monroe first with six years as a city councilman and, since 2006, as mayor. He has grown into the position and has ably led the city through the recession.
Under his leadership (and that of others) Monroe has reclaimed the status of a Main Street City — a status the city voluntarily gave up in 1987.
He’s worked to make real progress on two main transportation projects — the Highway 138 extension and, by visiting with our representatives in Washington D.C., the long-discussed Monroe bypass.
Under Thompson’s administration, the city has created an Opportunity Zone to promote economic growth and the city’s credit rating has improved.
Those accomplishments are nothing to sneeze at, and we certainly think they merit votes for the incumbent.
We believe Thompson deserves the chance to guide Monroe in better days, and we look forward to seeing what he’s able to do in the next four years.
City Council
Two races for seats on the Monroe City Council round out the ballot Tuesday.
Political newcomer Spencer Seay is taking on Vice Mayor Wayne Adcock in the 6th District race.
The District 8 race is a rematch of 2005, when Jimmy Richardson unseated W.C. “Tip” McConnell.
We endorse the incumbents in each race.
Adcock, as chief financial officer of Walton Press, provides a strong financial background to the council. His years of experience bring nothing that indicates a change should be made.
Seay, though, impressed us with his desire to get people in the 6th District more involved in their city government. He represents a new generation of leaders in Monroe and is to be commended for throwing his hat in the ring. We hope he will continue to be involved with an eye toward learning more about the issues facing our city.
Richardson, a longtime manager for a regional grocery store chain who now works in the insurance industry, also has the financial skill set needed in these tough times.
In listening to him discuss his years on the council, we were struck by Richardson’s love of the more minute details of the post. He is justifiably proud of his work on council committees and as a nonvoting member of the Downtown Development Authority. He would continue to be an asset for Monroe as a member of the council.
We appreciate McConnell for his time as a council member. He did an admirable job while in office, and we thank him for his service.
We also wish the best to Jerry Smith, who faced no opposition in his bid for re-election to the District 3 seat.
Loganville
Four able candidates have offered their service for three open Loganville City Council seats.
In meetings with each — incumbents Wendell Geiger, Jerry Price and Pedro Vega, and newcomer Dan Curry — we found all candidates to have a grasp of the issues.
Curry impressed us as much as any candidate we spoke with from any Walton County race. He is a political newcomer who would serve Loganville well.
However, if he is to serve, that means one of the incumbents must lose, and we struggle to tell you of a reason we think one should lose his position.
The Tribune offers no endorsement in this race, but encourages Loganville voters to study each candidate. We don’t think they’ll go wrong with any of the choices.
We do endorse a yes vote in the referendum on four-year council terms.
A good council member is going to take time to learn about the issues and the ins and outs of city government. That councilor deserves to have the chance to learn all about the position before facing re-election so soon.
Walnut Grove
Jerry Smith gets our endorsement for one of the two council seats on the Walnut Grove ballot.
Incumbent Wayne Dimsdale and newcomer Gerald Fleming didn’t meet with our editorial board, so we do not feel comfortable in endorsing one over the other.
Don’t forget
No matter who you support, don’t forget to vote Tuesday.
Voter turnout for municipal races is historically low in Walton County — just 25 percent for the 2005 Monroe mayor’s race.
It’s expected to be even lower this time for the Loganville council races.
So be part of the ruling minority — cast a vote Tuesday.
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