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'I see a lot of growth but not enough': Last Listening Lab sessions to be held this week

We're holding our last three sessions this Tuesday.

MACON, Ga. — This Tuesday, 13WMAZ's Listening Lab will be on the road for the last three sessions.

Reporter Ashlyn Webb hit the road Sunday afternoon to learn what issues matter to voters. Some of the top issues we've heard people talk about are youth violence and education. 

RELATED: Listening Lab: How you can help set the agenda for the 2020 Macon-Bibb elections

Our first stop was Amerson River Park.

We spoke to several people here who didn't want to be on camera. However, one of the top concerns we heard was crime. It's an issue we've heard over and over the past two weeks since having the Listening Lab.

"You don't know if you're going to walk outside, if you're going to get shot, or you could get robbed. You're taking a chance every time you walk outside," said De'Anna Flagg, a Northeast High student.

Mariah Carter says the key to solving this is jobs and education

"If we're able to get our communities back up and running, we're able to have better education, our people are educated, we experience less violence," Carter said. 

Connell Gordon says it's all about opportunities for the youth.

"If we can find the opportunities, we can find the schools, and get the education, I think it would be an advantage to black men and the community," Gordon said. 

Our next stop is the Lofts at Zebulon. 

Next door at the Walmart, Jayesh Patel went in for a quick grocery run. One of his concerns is property taxes

"Rising taxes. A lot of people are going out of town because of the rising taxes," Patel said. 

Macon-Bibb County voted in 2018 to increase millage rate by 3 mills. In 2019, they voted not to change the millage rate. County Manager Keith Moffett told 13WMAZ in a previous interview that he does not anticipate it increasing this upcoming year.

Patel also hopes to see more restoration efforts in Macon, not just in downtown. 

"I see a lot of growth but not enough," Patel said. 

Darryl Dixon agrees and says candidates need to tackle blight as well. 

"Beautify these sides of the city. You go down the roads, and you look at some of the houses and the properties... they're just blighted areas. It just brings you down when you look at it," Dixon said. 

These are just some of the issues. We still want to hear from you guys this Tuesday. Here's where you can find us:

  • 8 – 10 a.m. at Amerson River Park, 2551 Pierce Drive North
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Middle Georgia State University polling place, 100 University Parkway
  • 4:30 – 7 p.m. at the Lofts at Zebulon clubhouse, 5801 Zebulon Road

MORE ON THE LISTENING LAB

13WMAZ's 'Listening Lab' visits community for second week

'Stop the killing. Stop the violence': 2nd Listening Lab session kicks off Tuesday

13WMAZ's Listening Lab kicks off at 3 Macon-Bibb locations

WMAZ's Listening Lab launches this week in Macon

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