Former Augusta Commissioner Marion Williams said he has taken to the streets in an effort to defeat incumbent District 22 state Sen. Ed Tarver in the Democratic primary on July 15.
"I don't have a lot of money, but I've got a whole lot of tricks," Mr. Williams said. "And they're all legal. We're walking and shaking hands and meeting people. We're letting people know we want to serve."
Mr. Williams said he's running for the seat because the Lord laid it on his heart and made a way for him to be able to run to help the state of Georgia, especially Augusta.
"When you say Augusta is the second-largest city, that means something to me," he said. "If the second was just like the 31st or the 59th, we wouldn't need a second. If you can't get to the first, then you want to get to the second because the second ought to have some of the things that the first's got."
And the way to get them is to develop attractions, such as aquariums, zoos or race tracks to draw people to the city, he says.
"We've got to do some things that are going to create some revenue coming into this community," he said. "And we're ready to do that. This city is on the edge of bursting open with growth. And everybody feels that, everybody says it, but we're just not doing those things."
Mr. Williams' campaign message about the need to develop attractions is the same one he espoused during his eight years on the Augusta Commission, where he told all and created controversies. For example, he held on to the mayor pro tem job a second year by abstaining on votes every time an election was tried. He also spearheaded the effort to confiscate City Administrator Fred Russell's computer hard drive, creating a furor at city hall that came to be known as Computergate. And he instigated an investigation into the recreation department and its director, Tom Beck.
"I was very outspoken about a lot of issues," he said. "I stood up for what I thought was right, and I spoke against what I thought was wrong for the betterment of the community."
He says he was accused of a lot of things, which if he had been guilty of, he wouldn't be running for anything today.
"And I think as a state senator, the people will know what's going on in Atlanta because I will speak up and speak out for Augusta," he said. "I don't think we've got a black Augusta and a white Augusta. This ought to be a city for everybody. Right is right and wrong is wrong. And I've been an advocate of that. And I try to hold myself accountable along with everybody else."
Mr. Williams said from the enthusiastic response he gets from people wherever he goes, he's going to win.
"Everybody knows Marion Williams and knows he's known for speaking up," he said. "And I think people want somebody to speak up. As a state senator, they want to know what's going on. People can sit at home in their easy chairs and know what's going on in the state Capitol."
Mr. Tarver hopes primary voters will again allow him to speak out for them.
"I see the struggle they've endured just to survive. The biggest struggle is finances," said the District 22 Senate incumbent. "People need a voice when their voice isn't strong enough."
Since November 2005, Mr. Tarver has channeled his abilities as an attorney in the Georgia Legislature.
"Since Republicans control the House, it's required me to use my skills as a bridge builder to speak to people across party lines," he said. "It's important for me to use my persuasive skills to accomplish things for the city."
Mr. Tarver supported legislation that kept Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, and worked with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle to provide the option of charter schools to Georgia's youth, he said.
His main goal for Augusta is making the city more inviting to new business.
"My crusade has been jobs and providing incentives to new industries that can bring more jobs here," he said. "Compare us to South Carolina, and we can't compete without offering tax abatements and other incentives."
With close to three years under his belt, Mr. Tarver said he's ready to take Augusta to the next level.
"I think the newness has worn off. I've learned who I need to work with to make things happen," he said. "I want to see Augusta continue to grow."
Reach Sylvia Cooper at (706) 823-3228 or sylvia.cooper@augustachronicle.com.
ED TARVER (incumbent)
AGE: 48
OCCUPATION: Attorney with Augusta Law Firm of Hull, Towill, Norman, Barrett & Salley
EDUCATION: Graduate of Glenn Hills High School; bachelor's degree from Augusta State University; J.D. from University of Georgia School of Law
POLITICAL BACKGROUND: 2005, Won special election to complete the unexpired term of former Sen. Charles Walker
FAMILY: Married; two children
MARION WILLIAMS
AGE: 60
OCCUPATION: Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church
EDUCATION: Completed high school; attended seminary
POLITICAL BACKGROUND: Eight years on the Augusta Commission
FAMILY: Single, three daughters and three grandchildren
District 22 Candidate Q & A
ED TARVER
Would you support changing the school property tax exemptions for people 65 years or older? Why or why not?
A: No. We must exhaust all other options before placing this additional burden on the shoulders of our seniors. People 65 and older are more likely to be on a fixed income and may have fewer options available to them to respond to the burden of increased tax liability. Additionally, commitments for additional revenue must be aligned with attainable goals for improved teacher productivity and student performance.
Would you support changing Richmond County school system's calculated mileage cap? Why or why not?
A: No. Changing the mileage cap would most likely result in a tax increase to property owners. Current State law requires legislative action and a local referendum in order to change the School System's mileage cap. Justification for increasing tax liability for property owners must adequately balance the requirement for additional revenue, the burden to property owners and the School Systems goals for performance and productivity.
Would you support changing or abolishing the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority? Explain.
A: Yes, I support changes to the structure of the Coliseum Authority . During the 2008 Legislative Session, I proposed, and obtained passage in the Georgia Senate, legislation that would have consolidated authority for appointments to, and responsibility for the performance of, the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority in the hands of the local government. Currently, 18 elected officials (the Mayor, Commission and the seven member Legislative Delegation) are responsible for appointing the 12 members of the Coliseum Authority. The legislation passed by the Senate reduced the size of the Coliseum Authority from 12 to nine members and provided the local government with the power to remove members as needed to improve taxpayer confidence in the operation of the facility and to improve performance.
What is your position in inter-basin water transfers?
A: I oppose the practice of Interbasin transfer which would allow water to be moved from the Savannah River basin to another river basin to meet needs caused by such things as over-population, excessive development and inadequate conservation strategy in the community of the receiving basin.
Interbasin transfers could have a negative impact on our area's water resources and may create obstacles to economic development and growth in our Community.
Would you support eliminating county and state property taxes and funding government through sales taxes?
A: No. The proposed stepped up sales tax would put Richmond County and other border communities at a disadvantage as shoppers could easily travel to South Carolina to make their purchases and avoid the higher sales tax. Additionally, sales tax revenue is too volatile and is subject to the strength or weakness of the economic climate. Although far from perfect, the current practice of using property taxes and local special option sales taxes to fund essential government functions and services is more reliable and predictable than a proposed stepped up sales tax. Recent reports indicate that the proposal would also add an additional burden to business and industry, and make our State less business friendly due to the increased costs in business to business transactions.
MARION WILLIAMS
Would you support changing the school property tax exemptions for people 65 years or older? Why or why not?
A: "I would keep it exempt. People 65 and older shouldn't have to pay school tax. I wouldn't change it from the tax-exempt status at 65 years old. And I believe that ought to be anytime you become that age. Right now, you've got to apply at a certain time of the year. But whenever you become 65, that ought to be dropped down. You ought not have to wait until the next year when you apply for it."
Would you support changing Richmond County school system's calculated millage cap? Why or why not?
A: "I don't know whether I would change it or not. I don't really know enough about the millage cap. It's difficult, and I don't want to make any hasty decisions on something that important. I think we need to look at it. I think we need to talk about it. There's some dialogue that comes about when you discuss a lot of stuff. People think when you discuss it, that you're fighting it or you're trying to find a reason not to, but when you talk through a lot of things, you'll find out a lot of good information. We may be able to change it. We may be able to do something with it. But I wouldn't change anything before I had an opportunity to look at all of the facts and all of the figures, and find all of the pros and cons."
Would you support changing or abolishing the Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority? Explain.
A: "I don't know whether I support changing it. I think there are some things we need to talk about with the coliseum authority. We've got too many authorities anyway. And when you appoint an authority --- and the state legislators are the ones that appoint that authority. Once you get that authority, the government or the commission or anybody else can't say anything to them because it is an authority. And I think that word might need to be looked at or changing the whole situation, so they won't be an authority any more. We've got the Downtown Development Authority, the development authority, the land bank authority. We've got no control. When I was a commissioner, we questioned the land bank authority, and they explained to me we have no control ovcr that authority once they set that up."
What is your position on inter-basin water transfers?
A. "Well, I know water is life. We can't do anything without water. I wouldn't want to take any water from this area to give it to another area to better another area. That's another question that's going to have to have some more dialogue and conversation on. I think if we can do an inter-basin transfer and it's going to be something that's going to help temporarily, I think we ought to help our neighbors and our neighboring counties if it's not going to affect us, but I wouldn't want to cripple Augusta or this region to help another region that's already in bad shape. "
Would you support eliminating county and state property taxes and funding government through sales taxes?
A. "No. I can't agree to that. I heard about the proposal Speaker (Glenn) Richardson made. In my mind, I think the property tax for those property owners is a fair way of doing it. I don't think the city of Augusta is doing what some other parts of the state is doing. And they are creating a reason for people to come to their city and spend money with them through sales tax. So sales tax is very important, but I think the property taxes and the property owners are keeping the city alive."
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