3 months ago
Warner Robins voters return to the polls December 1st to elect a new mayor and council member.
The Warner Robins City Council candidates for the Post 1, At Large seat are 55-year-old Linda Carnes and 60-year-old Mike Daley.
Carnes is an equipment specialist at Robins Air Force Base. She's worked on the base for 30 years, and says she's considered retiring, if elected. She considers her top priorities bringing industry and jobs to the city, public safety and senior citizen's concerns. Carnes says she has lived in Warner Robins for 33 years.
Mike Daley is the retired C.E.O. of a Ohio based warehousing and transportation company. He moved back to Warner Robins in 2007. Daley graduated from Warner Robins High School in 1967. Daley says is top priorities if elected are public safety, economic development and quality of life issues, such as parks and recreation.
Tuesday, Daley and Carnes talked about their vision for recreation and parks in Warner Robins.
At Sewell Circle Park, Mike Daley pointed out a swimming pool that needs major repair. It has not been used for more than a year. Rain water sits in the bottom, and weeds are growing on the side of the pool. Daley said, "What I would like to see is this swimming pool open next Memorial Day, when other pools open."
Daley says the pool and the city's 14 other recreation facilities need maintenance and beautification. He says he wants to give children a safe place to play, plus help with city revitalization. He said, "Parks are a catalyst to that revitalization. It's something people can get their hands around and something they can be proud of."
At Fountain Park, Linda Carnes said the parks need better upkeep, but she's more concerned about the people using them. Carnes said, "A lot of people have expressed their concern about safety issues. They don't feel safe going to the parks."
She suggests more police patrols at the parks.
Carnes said she does not like the idea of placing a law enforcement center in place of Perkins Park near city hall. It's the spot the acting council selected for the L.E.C.
She said, "When you have parks, it gives children something to do and keeps them off the street."
Daley favors the Perkins location and suggested building a new recreation center at the new city sports complex behind Huntington Middle School. He said, "It's just old. I played basketball in that recreation center when I was a kid."
Carnes says it may be out-dated, but its not at the top of her list. She said, "Right now there's other priorities, so maybe the money can be used elsewhere."
Daley received about 1,700 votes in the general election, compared to Carnes' roughly 1,300 votes. The two won the majority of the votes, knocking two other candidates, Art Howard and Doug Mcdowell, out of the race.
