Candidates in Tuesday’s special election for Ward Three aldermanexpressed varying views on annexation, concerns about privategarbage services and touted their attributes during recent questionand answer sessions conducted by The DAILY LEADER.

In preparation for the election, the newspaper quizzed the fourcandidates about their thoughts on annexation, private garbageservice and why they are seeking the office. The candidates are

* George Faust, 39, is owner of Professional Fire and Safety,which services fire extinguishers and sells fire equipment. He ismaking first attempt at elected office.

* David Howard, 46, is an employee of EPCO, a carbon dioxideprocessing plant in the industrial park. He is making his firstattempt at elected office.

* Clarence B. “Doc” Johnson, 76, is retired. He previouslyserved as Ward Three alderman from 1980-84 and from 1990-94, and hehas been an unsuccessful candidate in several other races foralderman.

* Mrs. Jerry L. Wilson, 45, is the wife of the former aldermanthe Rev. Jerry L. Wilson, who took office as Lincoln CountyDistrict One supervisor this year. She ran unsuccessfully foralderman-at-large in 2001.

ANNEXATION

Faust said the issue of annexation has come up only once duringhis campaigning. He mentioned other issues that are on citizens’minds.

“Citizens in my ward are primarily concerned with getting animprovement to vital city services such as timely debris removaland leaf pick up, drainage ditches and culverts getting clearedbefore the big rain and litter control,” he said. “Annexation issuch a complicated issue, and I have faith the court is the bestplace to sort out the details.”

Howard mentioned taxpayer concerns in his response.

“Anything that will benefit the city, I’m strongly for,” hesaid. “I want taxpayers of the city to get what they think isfair.”

Johnson had little comment on the topic.

“The judge will make the final decision after all therebuttals,” he said.

Wilson said the people’s voice ought to be heard, and it was notup to her to decide the issue.

“That depends on what people want in that area,” she said.

PRIVATE GARBAGE SERVICE

Faust said the issue has been decided by the board of aldermenand it appears that privatized service is about to happen.

“With that in mind, I would ask Waste Management (who wasawarded the contract) to interview city employees from the garbagecollection department first,” he said. “Remaining employees couldtransfer to the street department and become part of a permanentculvert and drain-cleaning crew.

“Garbage pick up costs must remain the same,” Faust continued,”and service from Waste Management must surpass the service thatcity employees provided.”

Howard said he would have supported Mayor Bill Godbold’s veto ofthe vote to award a private garbage collection contract. The vetowas overriden by the board in a 5-1 vote.

“I’m strongly against it,” said Howard, citing the potentialloss of jobs in the city.

He said he would support keeping city-run services if it can bedone without having to raise garbage rates.

Johnson voiced concerns about citizens on fixed incomes and saidhe would be against the move to private service. He also mentioned”employees losing their jobs after years on the job working underadverse conditions both weather-wise and monetarily.”

Wilson was another voice against privatization.

“I don’t think that’s good, because some people might lose theirjobs,” she said.

She added that companies sometimes don’t do what they saythey’re going to do. Also, privatization will mean the loss of the”personal touch” provided by the city.

“I’m really not for that,” she said.

REASONS FOR RUNNING

Faust said he has had life and work experiences that haveequipped him to do the job well.

“I have the ability to listen, learn new things, follow up andbe persistent,” he said. “My strong passion to do this job and astrong push from fellow residents of Ward Three and throughout thecity of Brookhaven is why I am in the race.”

Howard said he is running to help the ward and the city progressand to be a benefit for the people.

“This is my first attempt at politics, and I believe I can helpthe citizens of Ward Three,” he said.

Johnson said he has the wisdom and experience to do what’snecessary, and he has the courage to know the difference. He saidhe wants to upgrade the ward by having debris removed, cleaning upburned and vacant buildings and by finding industries to locate inBrookhaven so people will have jobs.

“I want to help the citizens in any way possible,” he said.

Wilson said she cares about the people and wants to helpthem.

She said she wanted to continue her husband’s work by bringingpeople’s concerns to the board and having them addressed ifpossible. If given the chance, she said she can do a good job forthe people.

“I would like to be the next voice on the city board andrepresent them,” she said.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Only registeredvoters in Ward Three will be eligible to participate in the specialelection.

If no candidate receives a majority of Tuesday’s vote, a runoffbetween the top two vote-getters will be held Tuesday, Feb. 17. Thespecial election winner will serve through June 2005.