2 months ago
For the first time in 12 years, Jason Briley's name won't be on the ballot for mayor in the city of Gray.
Briley's stepping down after holding the mayor's office for three terms.
Two others, Gus Wilson and Lehman Wood qualified for mayor in the Nov. 3 election. The job pays $6,000 a year.
Wilson owns a medical transport company, and before retirement, Wood rant a tax service.
If elected, Wilson said Tuesday he'd make sure tax dollars are spent wisely.
"I want to keep an eye on expenses of the city to make sure that our taxes, hopefully, won't increase," Wilson said. "I certainly am not for a tax increase by any means. I also want to kind of watch expenses in day-to-day operations to see that we are counting our pennies and watching our dollars."
If elected, Wood said he wants officials to get along.
"What I would like to accomplish is cooperation between our government agencies within the state and Jones County," Wood said. "Especially Jones County. Working with the county to promote smart growth for the city and county."
Wood said the mayor's in an excellent position to promote growth.
"The mayor basically should be in my opinion a good ambassador for the city, and he could coordinate and preside over meetings," Wood said. "But as an ambassador, he can invite businesses into town and go after businesses that you hope that you could get in the city."
Both candidates want a city manager.
"That's one of the things on the list you know that we've talked about in the past is a city manager," Wilson said. "The biggest thing in having a city manager there is that he can oversee the daily operations and where expenses are going, the actual projects that are on board for the city and make sure they're being carried out."
Wood said he would also "have a city management or city administrator. We're a little over a $2.1 million operation and we need somebody, a professional to guide it and to manage the daily operations."
Other Central Georgia cities with mayoral elections this November include Warner Robins, Perry, Centerville, Cochran, Milledgeville, Fort Valley and Roberta.
Milledgeville's incumbent Richard Bentley doesn't have opposition. In Perry, newcomer James Faircloth is also running unopposed.
Perry Mayor GJim worrall isn't seeking re-election.
