Tracy Taylor says he’s optimistic about challenge for Albany’s mayor

Fourth in a six-part series about the city of Albany’s Nov. 3 municipal election.

ALBANY — Mayoral candidate Tracy Taylor said his decision to run for office was vindicated by a chance encounter on the campaign trail.

“I was talking to people about my platform, about my vision for Albany and our region, when a young man walked up to me,” Taylor said. “He had a serious look on his face and he said, ‘You’re our only hope.’ That right there … that’s strong.”

Taylor is facing incumbent Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and fellow challenger Lane Rosen in the Nov. 3 municipal election in what will be the dental technician’s second run for elected office. He challenged for the Democratic nomination in last year’s Dougherty County Commission District 4 primary race, losing to Darton College professor Pat Garner.

Garner then lost to incumbent Republican Commissioner Ewell Lyle in the general election.

“I’m very optimistic about my chances in this race,” Taylor said. “I learned a lot from that first election, learned some things to do and not to do. One of the big things I took away from that election is that you have to get your message out early. You have to get your signs up, and you have to start knocking on doors, talking to people.

“I also learned that finances are a big part of a campaign. People are very receptive to my message, but I’ve got to have resources to get that message to them.”

Taylor, who is working toward a career in law enforcement by studying Law Enforcement Technology at Albany Technical College with plans to earn a Criminal Justice degree at Albany State University, said he has concerns about both of his opponents’ platforms in the Nov. 3 municipal election.

“I challenged Mayor Hubbard because I don’t think the city’s done enough over the last four years to add jobs,” Taylor said. “We should be pitching industry, going to them to tell them what we have to offer. If I’m in the mayor’s office, I’m willing to go outside the state and outside the country if it will help encourage businesses to come here.

“I think Lane has good intentions, but I think we’re looking at things on two different levels. He says he has a plan where the city’s renters can buy houses, and I’m interested in seeing just how he plans to do that. Frankly, I’m not convinced that his plan would work.”

Taylor said the city should be willing to offer tax breaks and utilities breaks as incentives to bring new industry into the community. He points to disappointing recent Department of Labor numbers as proof that the city must be willing to bring more to the table when dealing with business leaders.

“July stats showed that we had more than 4,000 people unemployed in our community, a rate of 7.2 percent,” the challenger said. “If your work force is shrinking, you’ve got to find ways to bring more jobs into the community. The mayor’s talked a lot about the 230 jobs the city has cut in the last year or so, but she hasn’t said anything about the jobs that have been created.

“We talk about our need for economic development, for crime prevention, for better education and for lower utility rates. But the truth is all of that starts with jobs. If people are working, there’s going to be less crime. And if we want to bring new industry into our community, we’ve got to make sure our school system and our institutions of higher learning are turning out students who are prepared for the work force.”

Taylor notes that any successful political figure — local or otherwise — must align him- or herself with significant allies who can help during times of struggle. The mayoral candidate says he has such allies in Ward I City Commissioner Jon Howard, House District 153 state Rep. Darrel Ealum and Dawson Mayor Chris Wright.

In fact, Taylor said Wright and he have talked about efforts to expand regional projects in their neighboring communities.

“The way I look at things, if we can’t bring something to Albany and Dougherty County, we should be promoting Terrell County and Lee County and Worth County and other communities in Southwest Georgia,” he said. “We’re all going to benefit. I’m a strong advocate for reaching out to mayors, officials and pastors in other communities to find ways we can work together.

“I believe Albany is in a position where it should lead first, though. We’ve got to step up and be the leaders of this region, quit waiting for someone else to take the lead. We have to take the initiative.”

Taylor said the city must find strong leaders like new Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley as it looks to reclaim its position as the hub of Southwest Georgia.

“I’ve had several opportunities to talk with Chief Persley at various programs, and it’s very clear that he is a true leader in our community,” Taylor said. “The chief is passionate about what he’s doing, and I believe our community is going to be safer if we get him the things he needs to do his job.

“I like the job he’s done with Stop the Violence and the gang task force. And I like his ideas about community policing. I think he’s one of those dynamic leaders our community needs. I plan to be another.”

Tomorrow: Ward IV incumbent Roger Marietta.