Tracy Taylor to challenge incumbent Mayor Dorothy Hubbard

ALBANY — Tracy Taylor grows more animated, more passionate as he talks.

“There are two Dollar General stores close to where I live. They’ve both been robbed,” the dental technician says. “The Fred’s store close by? It’s been robbed, too.

“I’m tired of this, and I’m fired up about it.”

So much so, Taylor told The Albany Herald Saturday, he’s going to try and affect change by challenging incumbent Mayor Dorothy Hubbard for her office.

“I know Mrs. Hubbard very well, and I believe she’s passionate about the city,” Taylor said. “But I also believe there is a time and a season for everything, and the time has come for new leadership in Albany. I’m ready to plant those seeds of leadership and let them grow.”

Taylor ran unsuccessfully in the 2013 District 4 Dougherty County Commission Democratic primary, losing to Patrick Garner. Garner was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican Commissioner Ewell Lyle.

“I learned a lot from that first run for office,” Taylor said. “I wasn’t discouraged by it because of the relationships I established during that election process. In fact, Pat (Garner) and I became very close during that race, and when he won the primary I became one of his biggest supporters. And now, he’s going to be part of my campaign for mayor.”

Garner said a tougher stand against crime is needed in the city.

“Our city is starting to look like Gotham City,” he said. “I know I’m not the only one reading in The Albany Herald everyday about the robberies and burglaries and auto thefts. It seems like we are just getting complacent about it, that we’re starting to accept it as the way things are.

“We keep hearing things are getting better, but I think in many ways we’re in denial. I’m not afraid to say that, and I’m not afraid to take a stand against crime. I’ve met our new police chief, Chief (Michael) Persley, and I have all the confidence in the world in him. But we’ve got to give him the resources he needs to fight crime in our city. We’ve got to strengthen our neighborhood watch programs and do everything we can together as a community to combat this issue.”

The mayoral hopeful said the city must look into new technology like solar power to help cut high utilities costs, and he vows to work harder to bring new industry and jobs to the community.

“I wouldn’t just talk about bringing jobs here, I’d be visiting industry prospects and telling them what we have to offer in Albany,” he said. “I wouldn’t just talk about improving our roads and housing, I’d form a coalition to actively address those issues.

“I think the time of the common man has come in Albany, Georgia, and I represent the common man. I’ve heard their needs, and I plan to address them as mayor of our city.”