Staff Reports

AMERICUS - A long-time former council member and even a longer serving educator have tossed their hats into the city council race for the seat recently vacated by long-time council member Eddie Rhea Walker. Albert Cooper, who served as council member under four mayors; and Juanita Wilson, who taught eighth grade for 18 years and was an administrator for another 16 - have qualified for the District 1 seat. Cooper, who was self-employed in construction for 40 years, said his main concern is to represent the residents of Americus, effectively. "I have no personal ax to grind with anyone. I'm just interested in moving the city forward," he said.

Cooper added that if elected, he would work with the mayor and council members and hope "we can make the City of Americus a better place to live." Wilson retired as principal of Americus-Sumter High brings to a close a 35-year career in the Sumter County School System. "I feel that my experience with understanding people and communicating with a diverse population will help. I will utilize my listening, reading, .studying, and discerning skills to make good decisions for the citizens of Americus," she said. Cooper has served as Mayor Pro-tem and on all committees of council, adding his experience in city government is extensive. He's also served as chairman of the Americus Housing Authority and for the Sumter County Board of Health.

Wilson has been appointed to the Payroll Development Authority, and has worked on other boards and committees such as Tourism, County Extension Advisory, Archway and etc.

But she is making her first bid for elected office. She said she just wants to serve the community. "I want to work for all. I am committed to fair government. I believe that all citizens should be involved in their local government because participation brings about good government," she said. "I will work for that involvement." Wilson said her goals would include working to improve the future of the town, including highways, which should attract jobs.

"Americus is located in a very accessible part of the state and we need to promote this," she said.

Cooper said, while working with leaders of the community, he became interested in city government and "It is a passion that has remained constant. Both of the candidates are black and the Americus-Sumter County NAACP relayed questions to the Americus-Sumter Observer. The organization wanted to know what the candidates' thoughts were on the Eddie Bridges' beating by Americus police officer Michael Middleton; NAACP allegations that the police and fire departments have unfair hiring practices when it comes to blacks and whites - both candidates said they didn't have enough facts to give an answer. "I do not have all the facts in the case; therefore, I don't feel that I can give a fair assessment of what happened or what should happen," said Wilson when asked about the Bridges beating.

She echoed the same on the hiring practice issues. When asked was she willing to work with community watch groups like the NAACP. "I want to work for all citizens and with all citizens to improve this community. As I've stated, I would like to see more community involvement. I am willing to communicate with all citizens," she said. Cooper said he "absolutely" would work with the NAACP.