|
|
In a televised debate, mayoral candidate Ed McIntyre, left, said Mayor Bob Young has failed in his leadership, and Mr. Young called Mr. McIntyre an out-of-touch politician with outdated ideas. The election for Augusta's mayor is Tuesday.
JONATHAN ERNST/STAFF |
With only two men left to debate the issues, candidates in Augusta's mayoral runoff got tough on the issues Thursday night, during their first - and likely last - joint appearance prior to Tuesday's election.
Sponsored by WJBF-TV (Channel 6), a 45-minute forum had incumbent Bob Young and challenger Ed McIntyre face off on some of the issues to pop up on the political radar screen since the Nov. 5 general election, from a final special grand jury presentment to a city salary reclassification study.
But Mr. Young and Mr. McIntyre still found themselves spouting many of the same refrains.
Mr. McIntyre said political gridlock is the result of Mr. Young's failed leadership. Mr. Young described Mr. McIntyre as an out-of-touch politician with outdated ideas.
Five candidates were originally seeking the mayoral seat, but no one secured the needed 45 percent of votes to win. The top two vote getters were Mr. McIntyre - who got 40 percent of the vote - and Mr. Young - who received 38 percent.
While Mr. McIntyre said his runoff efforts have been very spiritually centered, Mr. Young said he has been working hard to persuade voters to return to the polls a second time.
Here's how they responded to several other questions:
On the latest special grand jury presentment:
"I believe we have gotten our money's worth from the special grand jury, but we have not gotten our money's worth from the commissioners who have dodged the issues," Mr. Young said.
"I don't think the commissioners can be held totally responsible," Mr. McIntyre said. "I think the mayor has to take some responsibility."
On mayoral powers:
Mr. McIntyre said Mr. Young campaigned four years ago on a platform of being able to serve as mayor without a vote or veto. "Now he's praying and begging for these powers," he said.
Mr. Young said he is in favor of implementing "sensible checks and balances," such as veto power with a commission override clause, adding, "there's plenty for the mayor to do without a vote or a veto."
On admitting women to the Augusta National:
"We don't need to inflame the situation any more than it's already been inflamed," Mr. Young said, adding he "freely supports" the Augusta National's right to select its membership.
"I would support a female being a member," having been denied and excluded for being a minority, Mr. McIntyre said. He said he would use the mayor's office to encourage female membership.
Reach Heidi Coryell Williams at (706) 823-3215 or heidi.williams@augustachronicle.com.
Overcast, 57 ° Humidity: 93%
Have a thought? Go to the 
