Berlin council candidates meet at forum

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October 31, 2009

John Oxford The Moultrie Observer Sat Oct 31, 2009, 10:36 PM EDT

BERLIN — Five candidates, including two incumbents, for the Berlin City Council met with about 25 residents at a forum held Friday night.

Reggie Merritt and Lonnie Cannon are running to retain their council seats but are being challenged by Ray Meeks, Curtis Akridge and Tina Bridwell. The two receiving the most votes in Tuesday’s election will win the council seats.

Merritt will be on the ballot as a write-in candidate, as he did not qualify as a regular candidate during qualification in September. A truck driver, he said he has served on the council for seven years and debated on running for re-election for several weeks before deciding to run.

Cannon said he has been on the council since 1993 and has always worked to fix the problems facing Berlin since joining the council. His first priority as a council member, he said, is to help the citizens of Berlin then the city itself.

“The people of Berlin are the ones we need to look after most,” Cannon said.

Meeks, an employee of the City of Berlin for five years, said he would like to see the city make a little revenue. There is a lot to do in Berlin, he said, and he would like to change a few things and try to help Berlin out as a councilman.

“Times are changing,” Meeks said, “and the city has to change with it.”

Akridge said he has attended several council meetings over the years and has seen several different opinions. He said he feels he could do just as good a job as the current council or an even better job in getting things done for Berlin.

Bridwell, who has worked with the fire department for eight years, said she would like to see Berlin grow but still keep its small-town feel and have something for everyone. Change is needed in Berlin, she said, but she does not want to see the town grow into something like the Atlanta area.

When a resident asked about the job of the Berlin Police Department, Merritt said the officers are doing a good job but need to change their focus. He would like to see officers doing more patrols around Berlin instead of focusing mainly on drivers passing through town on Highway 133.

Several residents asked about whether the city needed a sewer system. Merritt, Meeks and Akridge all said a sewer system was needed in the city, but Merritt said the biggest problem was paying to have it installed. Bridwell said she was in favor of having a sewer system, but the city does not need to make any unnecessary financial decisions.

Cannon said Berlin does need the sewer system to replace the septic tanks currently in use but not at putting a burden on Berlin residents.

“A lot of elderly people here are on fixed incomes,” Cannon said. “They’re my first concern, and we need to put off (the sewer system) until we get a lot of money.”

Another issue that was heavily discussed was whether the city should use its lawn mowers to cut residents’ grass. Since the city is paid to do the work, Bridwell said it wasn’t a big deal.

“If it’s making the city money,” Bridwell said, “ what’s it hurting?”

Akridge said he believes the city rents out a tractor and city employee for personal use. He thinks the same thing can be done with the city’s two lawn mowers, which would generate additional revenue.

Following a few other matters and comments, each candidate was given the chance to make a closing statement. Each candidate encouraged everyone in attendance to vote, and each stated they feel they would do a good job if voted onto the council.

Mayor Dale Williams also took part in the forum and answered questions, but challenger Jerry Evers was unable to attend the meeting.

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