Second day of municipal election qualifying passes quietly

ALBANY — The second day of qualifying for the city’s Nov. 7 municipal election went by quietly with no potential candidates coming forward to challenge for any of the three Albany City Commission seats up for re-election.

The Rev. Ivey Hines and community advocate Haryl Dabney qualified to run for the Ward II seat currently held by incumbent Bobby Coleman on Monday. Coleman told The Albany Herald he plans to complete qualifying requirements Wednesday.

Dabney, 29, said he sees his youth as an asset as he makes his first run at political office.

“Albany has been stagnant for years,” he said today. “That’s what you get when you keep the same leadership in place year after year. All we’ve gotten is talk; meanwhile, crime is still up in the community and jobs are still down.”

Dabney said he will help bring a “new vision” to the community if elected to the commission.

“I do a lot of traveling, see a lot of things,” he said. “I see other communities in the region that have vibrant downtowns. That’s something that I believe is important to our community. And while I plan to get out in the community and talk with the people of Ward II to find out what issues are important to them, I believe crime and jobs are two areas that we have to address.

“I’m going to run an active campaign. The campaign will be boots on the ground, and I guarantee you my boots are going to be on the ground more than anybody’s.”

Incumbent Ward III City Commissioner B.J. Fletcher said she too plans to qualify for a run at a second term Wednesday, while Ward V’s Bob Langstaff has not yet said when he plans to complete requirements to seek a fourth four-year term.

Qualifying continues Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Elections office in the 222 Pine Ave. Albany-Dougherty Government Center. Potential candidates for any of the three seats must be at least 21 years of age, have lived in Albany for at least two years, have lived in the ward they want to represent for at least three months from the election date and must pay a $450 qualifying fee.