But it will have nothing to do with getting used to technology.

Voters have a full slate of candidates, from a state Senate race to two seats on the Harlem City Council. The county's contested races are:

Georgia Senate District 24 - Joey Brush (I) (R-Appling) vs. Anna Hargis (D)

Mr. Brush is focusing his campaign on keeping a Republican in office, someone who can fight the Democrats who currently run state government from what he says is a bully pulpit.

"I'm going to keep fighting it, going against it and exposing it," he said.

Mrs. Hargis also wants to expose something: corruption in state government. The Democrat has shunned cash campaign donations, saying she can't be "wined and dined" by lobbyists and companies.

"You need someone that's like you - that shops at Wal-Mart, that looks at prices," she said during a recent public forum.

Georgia House of Representatives District 79 - Barry Fleming (R) vs. Terry Holley (D)

Mr. Fleming's campaign focus has changed little since his March announcement that he intended to seek the seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Bill Jackson. He wants to revamp the state's judicial system, rewrite some of the state's sales tax laws to allow counties more flexibility, and change state economic development laws to help border counties compete with South Carolina in their incentive packages for recruiting industries.

"We need someone in Atlanta who knows Columbia County, someone who can hit the ground running," the former County Commission chairman said.

Mr. Holley - the chairman of Columbia County's Democratic Party - promises to hold the line on property taxes, protect the area's water resources and continue improving the state's school system. He also wants to improve Harlem's standing in the county.

"We just want Columbia County to remember Columbia County as a whole does not stop at the interstate," he said.

Columbia County Board of Education District 4: Mildred Blackburn (I) vs. Andrew Ezell

Mrs. Blackburn taught in Columbia County schools for 22 years as a social studies and language arts teacher at Evans Middle School. She retired before being elected to the board for the first time four years ago.

"I feel that I have the experience to continue as a member of the board," Mrs. Blackburn said.

Mr. Ezell said he has the pulse of the school system at home: His wife is a teacher, and he has a child in high school, another in middle school and a third in elementary school.

"It's easy to make decisions without realizing how these decisions affect those within the system," he said. "I'll be able to get immediate feedback."

Harlem Mayor: John Bentley (I) vs. Scott Dean

Mr. Bentley has been the city's mayor for the past 22 months. Mr. Dean served on the council until September, when he filed to run for mayor and had to resign.

One of Mr. Bentley's main goals is bringing the city's sewer system into compliance with Environmental Protection Division regulations. He also wants to preserve Harlem's small-town atmosphere.

Mr. Dean wants to get more residents involved with city government, improve communication and create a downtown business association to attract more businesses downtown.

Harlem City Council (two seats open): Rudolph Dixon (I) vs. C.D. Morris vs. John Thigpen

Mr. Dixon - who spent more than 40 years as a Methodist minister - served on the city council for six years before leaving the council two years ago. He returned to the board in September, taking the seat left open by Mr. Dean's resignation. Mr. Dixon and his wife have lived in Harlem for 16 years and say they have no plans to leave.

"We plan to be here until we are planted somewhere," he said.

Mr. Morris just wants to get back on the board he served on for 23 years so he can keep a close eye on spending.

He also wants to ensure Harlem keeps its identity in the county.

"I will use every influence I've got to save this city of Harlem," he said.

Mr. Thigpen has lived in Harlem for 17 years. He has served on various city committees - including working with the annual Oliver Hardy celebration - and says he is ready to take the next step in public service.

"I think I am a good, honest, stable candidate that is sensible, somewhat conservative and really feel strongly about a hometown city," he said.

Reach Jason B. Smith at (706) 868-1222, Ext. 115, or jbsmith@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Sunday, November 3, 2002 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle