MACON, Ga. — On Tuesday, 13WMAZ kicked off our "Listening Lab" sessions to find out what issues people want officials to address as we prepare for Macon-Bibb County's general election on May 19.
The first session started at the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center.
"The crime --it's at a point now where I'm a senior and I don't even want to go out after dark," said neighbor Camellia Simmons.
People like Simmons filled out a survey to rank their top issues.
The second session was held at the Macon Senior Center. Wendy Robins says she'd like to see the quality of low in come neighborhoods improved.
"We need to clean up that blight because that's what's got the neighborhoods down," said Robins.
Linda Finney says she'd like to see more opportunities for affordable housing, more business come to the county, and more job opportunities.
"Our officials that we vote for have work to do," said Finney.
13WMAZ was all ears at our last stop of the day in Tattnall Square Park. John Mazzola says he wants to improve tourism in county to help bring more money into the community.
He says it's important for the people to be heard.
"Too many times, politicians I've seen through the years, they get into office and they lose touch with us. It's like they have their own agenda and it may not be the agenda of the people," said Mazzola.
The last day to register to vote for the May 19 general election is April 20. The next Listening Lab session will start at Porter Ellis Community Center on Houston Road next Tuesday.
You can voice your concerns at the Frank Johnson Community Center, on Mercer University Drive from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The evening session will be at the Lofts at Bass clubhouse.
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