Walter L. Johnson II Archive

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National Day of Prayer set for May 3

– May 2, 2012Posted in: Columns, Walter L. Johnson II

 

 

Written by Walter L. Johnson III

 

Albany area residents will be among the many Americans who will pray for the nation’s future in the 2012 National Day of Prayer observance Thursday.

It will be held at the Government Center, located on 222 Pine Avenue in Downtown Albany. It’s the 19th year the National Day of Prayer observance has been held in Albany, and the 25th year nationwide.

The first National Day of Prayer was held former President Ronald Reagan designated the first Thursday in May for such as observance.

This year’s theme is One Nation under God, which is based on Psalm 33:12.

Wanda Mitchell, a longtime member of Porterfield United Methodist Church who has served as a co-chair for the NDP for almost two decades, will be one of the speakers at this year’s event. She says the need for prayer has never been more critical than now.

“We certainly see the need for prayer in the nation,” Mitchell said, “with its economic problem, its’ ongoing difficulties with other nations, unemployment.

Mitchell added: “I see there’s a lot a need for prayer.”

As another co-chair for the Albany NDP, Ginny Hayman says the idea for the local observance partially came via the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.

“Actually, we came to do this through the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast,” Hayman explained. “The Albany Christian Businessmen’s Committee sponsored the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, every year, in January.

“(When some of the) members became elderly, they could no longer do the work,” added Hayman. “So they called me and asked us to form a committee to take that over.

“So in taking over the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, we also began to have a program, the National Day of Prayer.”

When asked why she got involved with the National Day of Prayer, Mitchell said, “I think it was (Dr.) James Dobson’s (radio) show, Focus on the Family, because his wife (Shirley) is the national chair for the National Day of Prayer, has been ever since I got involved in it.

“Just realizing the value of prayer, and realizing that God has mandated us to pray,” Mitchell continued, “and he says (that) he will bless the nations that acknowledge him, and I certainly want to help keep this nation, One Nation under God.

With an expected crowd of around 300 people attending this year’s ceremony, Mitchell invites anyone who thinks the U.S. is in need of prayer to attend.

“I certainly hope that everybody will come out,” said Mitchell. “Anybody that thinks that this nation needs prayer, they certainly need to come out, and show their support, and we do have a time when everybody will get together and pray, and (there) will be people praying for families, for the media, for the military, for the government, and I hope everybody will come out, and take this opportunity to come together with others in agreement, to pray for this nation, on the local level, the state, and the national level.”

Hayman agrees.

“I just think prayer is the answer to our need (s),” Hayman said. “Most every city you talk to (have) a concern about their crime element, about the other things going on in their city (that) they have to deal with.

“We know the opposite of that is that when Christians do what is right, affect others to do right, and we have a society that is safe, and that comes through prayer.”

 

On The Web: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org

 

Tags: 222 Pine Avenue, May 3, National Day of Prayer, Walter L. Johnson II
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Downtown Albany perception continues to change for 2012

– April 12, 2012Posted in: Columns, Walter L. Johnson II

 

 

Written by Walter L. Johnson II

 

Fashion, fine art, food, and fun: That’s just part of what’s driving business into Downtown Albany these days.

Downtown Manager Aaron Blair believes that 2011 was a turning point in terms in changing the perception of the district in multiple ways.

“I felt like we’ve turned the corner pretty well back in downtown as far as our perception that we deal with in downtown as far as not a lot going on,” Blair said, “safety issues, things like that, I think we’ve overcome that quite a bit, and really the emergence of our cultural arts in downtown really has helped with our efforts.”

An “urban outdoor art park”

Albany area artists who want to have a showcase for their talents will soon get an opportunity to do just, with a new art park being developed downtown. Blair says renovating the building to make it more outdoor friendly will help bring in more visitors.

“The art park is an initiative that we’ve started with acquiring one of the most dilapidated buildings in downtown, and really looking at what can we do with this structure other than bulldozing the historic storefront,” Blair said.

“Basically, what we’ve done is we’ve taken this structure, and reinforced the front and back facades, to allow us to utilize the property for an artist’s venue, that basically is going to be an urban outdoor art park.

The new park won’t be just for artwork either, added Blair.

“There’s no roof on the building currently, and it’s going to be a structure that will allow for urban gardening, art on weekends, and during the week, and basically artists will be able to come in there, and have their space to display their art.”

Fashion and food on Broad Avenue

One of the newest and most popular eateries in Downtown Albany opened last August, when the Pizza Shop and Pizzeria Restaurant opened for business.

Owner Fran Bragg, whose family moved to Southwest Georgia from Brooklyn, N.Y. in the late 1970’s, says customers have wanted her to open a shop in the downtown district for quite some time.

“My parents and family had a pizzeria here for over 30 years,” Bragg recalled, “and we had a lot of our customers who used to tell us to come downtown.

“So when my parents closed (their pizzeria), I took a little time to think about it, and decided to come down here, and make some of our customers happy.”

Just multiple doors down from the Pizza Shop on Broad Avenue, there’s GABE Alterations, a formal wear and alterations business which will celebrate its first anniversary on May 7. Co-owner Gail Morrill says her business serves as an outreach ministry to shoppers in Downtown Albany.

“My partner, (co-owner Gwen Davis) and I felt the Lord to begin this business downtown, to work as well as to (be) a servant with the talents that he’s given us,” Morrill said.

Although the prom season is winding down with lackluster sales, Morrill expects the upcoming wedding season to bring in more business.

“We didn’t do what we thought we would do for the proms, but I think we got into a different marketing manner next year for it,” said Morrill. “But our wedding season has started off really well.

“January through March is considered what they call ‘Bridal Christmas,’ when most of the wedding dresses for the whole year are sold. We did really well, we’re pleased with that.

Morrill also praises the fact that the dresses that GABE sells is cheaper than most of the national chains, such as David’s Bridal.

“Our dresses are a fraction of the cost of your regular retail sales,” explained Morrill. “Most of our dresses are brand-new dresses that have been put in here by most companies that have either gone out of business, or deleting certain styles.”

Looking ahead

Blair says 2012 will be a year where he hopes the perception of Downtown Albany will continue to change. He says other people are doing their part to make sure that it keeps going.

“I think you’ll see some more signature events coming out of downtown,” Blair said. “What we’re starting to see is other individuals step up to the plate, and helping us along the way, and stepping out and putting on their own events.

“I think you’ll see that the Flint Fest this year, which is Oct. 6, will again grow even larger than the 5,000 people we had last year.”

Morrill also predicts that more people will start their own businesses in the downtown district out of necessity, due to the uncertainty in the economy.

“What’s happening these days is you have many new people who are starting their own businesses, because of the way has been the last couple of years,” said Morrill. “People have been forced to step out, and to start their own businesses, and because of that, there’s a lot of growth with these smaller businesses taking place, and with that, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of them coming into the downtown area.

“With the Downtown Merchants Association,” Morrill added, “we’re really reaching out to pull more people into this area.”

On The Web: http://dtownalbany.com/

 

Tags: Downtown Albany, Downtown business, Downtown Manager Aaron Blair, Downtown Merchants Association, urban outdoor art park, Walter L. Johnson II
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New Albany Area Chamber of Commerce CEO named

– April 9, 2012Posted in: Headlines, Walter L. Johnson II

 

Written by Walter Johnson

The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has a new President and CEO, and he hails from the upstate region of South Carolina.

At a press conference last Friday, the Chamber’s board of directors picked Chris Hardy to lead their organization. He replaces Catherine Glover, who resigned in January to become the Vice President of Global Development for Equinox Chemicals. His first day on job will be on April 30.

Hardy comes to Southwest Georgia from the Clemson (S.C.) Area Chamber of Commerce, where he currently serves as that chamber’s President and CEO. He graduated from Francis Marion University in 1992.

When asked why Hardy was chosen out of around 50 candidates, 2012 Chairman Miles Espy explained: “Although, we had several excellent candidates to consider, I was very pleased that the search committee came to a unanimous decision to select Chris Hardy as our President and CEO.”

Espy added, “Likewise, our executive committee and board of directors voted unanimously to hire Chris. I am looking forward to his leadership and the positive impact he will have our membership and the business community at large.”

Hardy says the reputation that the Albany chamber has nationwide was a key factor in accepting the top job.

“Having an opportunity to lead the Albany Area Chamber and business community is a dream come true for me,” Hardy said. “The reputation that the (AACOC) has in our industry is second to none and it will be responsibility to make sure that continues.”

Increasing the membership at the Clemson chamber, as well as being involved in economic development and tourism efforts in the upstate South Carolina region, also factored in the decision to hire Hardy, Espy said.

“During his time (in Clemson), the membership of the chamber doubled under his leadership,” explained Espy. “He has been very actively involved in regional efforts, as he was selected by seven chambers of commerce in Oconee and Pickens County (S.C.) to serve as the lead administrator and spokesperson for the Oconee Pickens Chamber Coalition.

“His experience as a CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau) director was particularly important, as (the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce) is responsible for the operations of the (Albany Area Convention and Visitors Bureau).”

Hardy sees two challenges in attracting new industry, as well as new business, to Albany and Southwest Georgia.

“One of the challenges that Albany faces that will be the chamber’s responsibility is not to only promote Albany to the best of our ability, but to also celebrate what Albany has to offer. It is vital that we celebrate our successes as often as possible locally, regionally, and nationally.

Added Hardy, “When companies are looking to relocate, they want to make sure of several things. 1. That they will have a quality workforce. That will be our job in working with the public education, higher education, and the technical college system to ensure Albany has a qualified workforce to fit their needs.

“2. They want to know that their employees will have adequate resources to maintain a high quality of life. This will also be one of our responsibilities to ensure we are working closely with the (Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission) to promote out natural resources, outdoor activities, cultural heritage and lifestyle to show them we deserve serious consideration.”

Hardy says he’s looking forward to the challenge of moving to Georgia, and leading the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

“My wife and I are very excited about becoming part of the Albany and Dougherty County community and I look forward to serving the Chamber for many years to come.”

 

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has named Chris Hardy as its new President and CEO. (Photo: Betty Rehberg)

Tags: AACOC, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, CEO, Chris Hardy, Pickens County (S.C.), Walter Johnson
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Chamber, CVB shake-up: After the dust settled

– February 1, 2012Posted in: Headlines, Walter L. Johnson II

 

Written by Walter L. Johnson II

 

Almost one full month into 2012, change has come to the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Such changes have recently reached the top, as Catherine Glover left her job as President and CEO of the chamber at the start of the New Year, to take a position as the Vice President of Global Business Development at Equinox Chemicals.

But the changes don’t end at the top within the Chamber, as Jenny Collins, who served as the assistant to the president up until the end of 2011, left to become the Marketing and Communications Manager of the CVB to start 2012.

If that wasn’t enough, Deborah Bowie, replaced the late Wendy Martin as the Chamber’s Senior Director of Public Policy and Communications in June 2011.  Martin died in May 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

 

It was just time to make a change

 

Glover, who started her new position at Equinox on Jan. 9, says that after more than two decades of working in chambers of commerce, it was simply time for a change.

“After almost a quarter of a century doing what I do, which is economic development and working with businesses, thousands of businesses, over that time, it was just time to make a change,” explained Glover.

“Although I wasn’t looking for this opportunity, when it came to my doorstep, it was absolutely ideal,” Glover added. “I could stay here in Albany, and I could work alongside a business owner that is growing, and someone that believes in Albany as much as I do.”

 

From the Chamber to the CVB

 

     After working with the Chamber for almost 10 years, including the last several years as being the Assistant to the President, Jenny Collins began her tenure with the Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau as its marketing and communications manager at the start of this year.

An Albany native, Collins says her passion for understanding the needs of customers drew her to her current position with the CVB.

“I have always loved that field in relating to the consumer, and trying to see what the market is wanting, and providing it, so I’ve always had an interest in that,” Collins said.

Additionally, Collins added, the opportunity to sell her hometown to potential tourists and residents is the one of the things she likes most about her job.

“The aspect that really attracted me (to the position) is selling Albany to visitors, letting them know what we have to offer, and hopefully, make them love it as much I love it.”

Collins says that things are starting to come together for the CVB, including the formation of multiple committees.

“We’re really starting to, really build the committees that we have,” explained Collins, “with the hospitality committee, the sports marketing committee, really promoting Albany as a destination for some motor coaches.

“So we’ve got some wonderful ideas, down the pipeline in 2012, and I’m looking forward to working on all of them.”

 

Giving Georgia a “competitive” advantage

 

     Although she has only been on the job for more than seven months, Deborah Bowie has already seen a significant difference between Albany, and her previous hometown of Birmingham, Ala.

“The Albany community is a “family-centric” community,” Bowie said. “I’m the mother of small children, of triplets.  So, we were just in love with the community from the first visit here.  It’s a great place to raise children, and it’s a town of convenience.

“I think that an outsider, you have a different perspective about what a community offers.  To me, Albany is beautiful, has a moderate temperature, it’s located not too far from the beach, not too far from Orlando, it’s a great location.

“The industry here is diverse enough where I think the community has some layers of protection, that you don’t have all of your industry sectors in one place.”

Bowie also believes that a new initiative designed to help foster economic development throughout Georgia could help Albany and southwest Georgia a competitive advantage in the coming years.

“What there has not been is a comprehensive economic development initiative strategy,” Bowie said, “that now seems to be front and center in (Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s) administration, it’s a plan that we support.

Protecting Albany’s status as a “Tier 1” community is also a high priority with the Chamber, Bowie added.

“We are also on the record with our legislative agenda to say to the Governor, that we want to protect as a “Tier 1” community,” Bowie said. “That is a status that we cannot afford to lose.

“It allows us certain incentives that other communities do not have, and so we see (2012) as a huge opportunity, not just for the state of Georgia, but particularly for regions of the state that will benefit from what we will know will happen in Savannah.”

What does what happens in Savannah have to do with what eventually might happen in Albany?  Bowie says that has to do with the potential widening of the port in coastal Georgia’s largest city.

“Even (Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed) has been on record supporting the widening, (the) deepening of the Savannah port, because we all understand that all regions of Georgia together, can be a very strong player on the economic development, international stage, if we make all the right investments.”

 

Encouraging new ideas

 

     Although her tenure as the President and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce is over, Glover’s quest to bring meaningful jobs to Albany is far from over.

As a Massachusetts native who has called southwest Georgia home since late 2008, she encourages longtime residents and newcomers to accept people with new ideas, as well as new ways of thinking.

“Although I’ve only lived in Albany a little more than three years now, it is my home.  My parents have lived in Fitzgerald, and they’ve been (there) almost 18 years now.

“So, coming here, and staying here, and wanting to be here, is important, and I encourage the residents of Albany, and the businesses of Albany, to embrace people like me, who come in with new ideas and new opportunities, and don’t want to leave, and accept change.

“I’d like to say how much I appreciate living here, and I appreciate this community,” Glover said. “I appreciate the close-knit family feel, the quality of life truly, that we have here, and the ability to stay in this community, and to be successful with a very successful company.” 

 

Tags: chamber of commerce, cvb, Walter L. Johnson II
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Dorothy Hubbard era begins

– January 9, 2012Posted in: Government, Headlines, Walter L. Johnson II

Mayor-elect Dorothy Hubbard will take office next week as Albany’s first female mayor.

 

Written by Walter L. Johnson II

 

Monday, Jan. 9, 2012 will be a history-in-the-making moment for Albany.

On that date, Dorothy Hubbard will be sworn in as the city’s first-ever female mayor.  She replaces Willie Adams, who served as Albany’s first African-American chief executive for the last eight years.

Despite being a pioneer in Albany politics, Hubbard—who is a former city commissioner representing Ward II—doesn’t dwell on that fact very often.

“I know there are times when you want to think about it, but you don’t dare, because you know that you need everybody’s help, and everybody’s support,” Hubbard said. “So, it’s not just a matter of being a female as much as it about working together, and all of us working together, males and females.”

Additionally, Hubbard added, that men and women in general should support each other as often as possible.

“It’s also about knowing that in the past, we as females have supported our male leaders, and what we are asking for is (the) male leaders support.

“I’m suggesting that I want the same respect and support that has been given to the male counterparts coming forward.”

Mary Ligon, who served as one of Hubbard’s campaign manager, believes Hubbard will be a solid public servant as Albany’s mayor.

“Dorothy will serve our community well,” Ligon said. “She is patient, listens to multiple perspectives, analyzes the options, and chooses the best plan of action.”

Within the first 50-100 days of her term in office, Hubbard plans to address the multiple issues she addressed during her campaign, which include, but aren’t limited to, education, demolishing blighted properties, and even homelessness.

“I will go on to set up my community councils, which will actually be formed around my four major areas and platforms, which will be education, crime, jobs and economic development, and blighted properties,” Hubbard said.

Additionally, Hubbard added, getting with expertise in dealing with such issues—especially economic development and unemployment—will be a major priority during her first year in office.

“We will look at the jobs and economic development,” she said, “How that affects Albany, and how they’re all interwoven, interlinked, and how that affects the other.

“Certainly, we’re going to have to assess where we’ve been.  We’re going to have to assess where we are, and then get on the same page, and going in the same direction, to determine where we need to go.”

Ligon believes there’s no one specific issue that Albany faces going into 2012 and beyond.

“There are many issues in our community that need focused attention,” Ligon said. “Because not everyone agrees on the priorities or the solutions, it is important for everyone to seek understanding of others’ perspective and not just push their own view.”

“With sincere effort and respect of one another’s views,” Ligon added, “I believe we can work together to address many of the issues in our community.”

     While most of Georgia’s population grew within the past decade, many of the state’s cities and counties south of Macon—especially those in southwest Georgia—lost population between 2000 and 2010.

As a result, Hubbard says, co-operation between multiple communities in the region will be critical.  She thinks that such collaboration can benefit not only Albany, but also the cities and counties surrounding Dougherty County.

“I think that the people in Albany and Dougherty County want their elected officials to work together,” explained Hubbard.  “They want us to understand just locally, within this city and county, how important it is for all of us to work together.

“When you take that, and move it regionally, then you start talking about Leesburg, Colquitt, and Cordele, and Sylvester, that’s going to be crucial.

“It’s going to be really important for all of us not only to work together, but to understand how important regionalism, to understand that if Sylvester can get some jobs, then Albany will benefit, if Albany could get some jobs, Sylvester will benefit.

“What we have to understand is if Albany loses, then southwest Georgia loses.  The other counties surrounding Albany lose.  If Colquitt loses, or Sylvester loses, or Lee County loses, we all lose.

“Because a lot of those people that are moving (to), or living in Sylvester, or are living in Lee County, actually come back to Albany and Dougherty County to work.

“So, it’s going to be crucial, (and) it’s going to be a challenge, to help us to understand why regionalism is actually important.”

     With confidence in local government appearing to be at an all-time low, both Hubbard and Ligon think winning the trust of Albany citizens will be a task that must be worked on tremendously.

“In my opinion, the basic issue is a lack of trust across our community, which makes all other issues difficult to resolve,” Ligon explained.

“If we each take responsibility for our own words and actions so they contribute to developing an environment of trust, then we work through differences and accomplish positive changes more quickly.”

Hubbard says earning the trust of the citizens will take time and effort.

“I’m going to do everything I can to see that we all work together, that we all understand the importance of our moving our city forward.

“There are some challenges, real challenges for us.  But I think that if really, really work together, then we’ll understand how one affects the other that we understand that we can do this, if we really, really work at it.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we will have to work at it.”

 

Tags: dorothy hubbard, Local Politics, Mayor of Albany, Walter Johnson
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Prep Football Game of the Week—Mount de Sales at Deerfield-Windsor

– November 9, 2011Posted in: Sports, Walter L. Johnson II

 

What: First round (quarterfinals) of the GISA Class AAA playoffs

When: Friday, November 11, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Webb Stadium, Albany

2011 records: Mount de Sales is 7-3, 3-3 in GISA Region 2-AAA. Deerfield-Windsor is 9-2, 8-0 in GISA Region 1-AAA.

Last week: Deerfield-Windsor defeated Southland, 41-0. Mount de Sales lost to Tattnall Square, 22-0.

All-time series record: Deerfield leads 7-3.

First meeting: Mount de Sales 20, Deerfield-Windsor 14 (Overtime)—(1988)

Last meeting: Deerfield-Windsor 30, Mount de Sales 27 (2010)

 

Analysis: The Deerfield-Windsor Knights will begin their quest to win back-to-back state championships, as well as their third title in the last four years, when they play host to the Mount de Sales Cavaliers from Macon at Webb Stadium Friday night.

Although this is the 11th meeting all-time between the two teams, this week’s meeting will mark just the second straight between the Knights and Cavaliers since 2005. Deerfield downed MDS, 20-13, en route to a 9-3 finish six years ago.

Although Deerfield has won the last four meetings against Mount de Sales, three of those contests have had dramatic finishes, with the Knights winning all of them by a combined total of 14 points. Deerfield defeated MDS, 25-21, in 1999, the aforementioned seven-point overtime win six years later, as well as last year’s thrilling win, 30-27, that propelled the Knights into the championship game. The lone blowout win during Deerfield’s current win streak came in 2001, when the Knights shut out the Cavaliers, 24-0, in one of just five regular season meetings all-time. The only other regular season games between both teams came during a four-year period from 1990-1993, with Deerfield going 3-1 in those meetings. Ironically, though, both teams played in a fifth straight game in the quarterfinal round of the 1994 playoffs, with MDS winning big, 29-6. It turned out to be last time the Knights lost to the Cavaliers.

Allen Lowe has an all-time career record of 194-99-3 going into this week’s game against MDS, including a mark of 47-22 at the Savannah-based Calvary Day from 1995-2000. In his two stints at Deerfield (1987-1994, 2001-present), Lowe has a combined record of 147-77. He needs just six more victories to reach 200 wins for his coaching career.

Perhaps the most memorable game in the Deerfield-MDS series came in the semifinals of last year’s playoffs, when a last second field goal from Trey Puckett helped put the Knights into their third straight state title game. They defeated Tattnall Square, 38-22, the following week, to win their second state championship in three years. Don’t be surprised if this year’s game between the Knights and Cavaliers goes right down to the wire.

Source: Georgia High School Football Historians Association (http://www.ghsfha.org/)

 

Tags: deerfield-windsor, high school football, Sports, Walter Johnson
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Mayoral candidates state positions

– November 2, 2011Posted in: Walter L. Johnson II

 

Written by Walter L. Johnson II

 

On Tuesday, registered voters will choose between three people to become the next mayor of Albany: restaurant owner B.J. Fletcher, former Ward II city commissioner Dorothy Hubbard, and former state representative John White.

While all three candidates recognize the challenges that Albany currently faces, whether it be crime, economic development, education, joblessness, or poverty, the way they plan to address such issues are different.

Hubbard sees education—combined with job skills training—as being among the city’s biggest issues. She wants to involve all three of Albany’s colleges, as well as the public schools in bridging that gap.

“What we need to do is to give our children the job skills and the job sets,” Hubbard said, “a set of job skills that are needed, higher education and technical education will also play a part in that.”

As the owner of multiple eateries throughout Albany, including the popular Café 230 downtown, Fletcher has seen a troubling downward spiral for her hometown in several areas.

“Over the years, I have a witnessed a decline in our tourism, in our industry, in our population, in our attitude,” said Fletcher. “I want to be a part of moving Albany forward.”

Like Fletcher, White has also seen Albany’s decline first hand.

“Albany has been stagnant for several years,” said White. “Not moving very forward, not bringing in any new things to Albany.

“New activities, new businesses, have come very spottily in the area,” White added. “But we have all of the skills in Albany that we need.”

White, who served 11 terms as a state representative on the Georgia General Assembly from 1975-1997, wants to increase educational, as well as recreational opportunities for local youth.

Among the things he hopes to bring to Albany if elected mayor, is a boxing gymnasium, with the help of a former champion to serve as an alternative to in-school suspension.

“I’ve talked with the relatives of (former heavyweight champion) Evander Holyfield,” White explained. “I want to tie that to the schools.

When asked why he proposed a boxing gym as an alternative to in-school suspension in middle and high schools, White added: “We have to take some of that energy away from children, the ones who will disrupt normal classes.

“That’s generally why they go (into in-school suspension),” he continued, “either they’re fighting, or they’re disruptive in other ways.

“So with a boxing gym, you would send the students to (the) gym rather than to in-school suspension, for those kind of activities that they would create in a normal school.”

            Although the AOL-based website—dailyfinance.com—recently named Albany as the No. 4 poorest city in the U.S., miscalculated numbers very could have put the city at No. 1, Fletcher said.

“They quoted our population at 162,000 people,” said Fletcher. “That was the entire (five) county (metropolitan statistical area) that they were counting on.

“If they had just pulled the city numbers, of approximately 76,000 (residents),” Fletcher added, “that we were probably ranked No. 1.”

Supporting the Strive 2 Thrive initiative sponsored by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will be a key to reducing, if not completely eliminating poverty, Hubbard said.

“I think the (Strive 2 Thrive) initiative that’s being done by the Chamber is a good start for working on poverty,” said Hubbard. “I think that we’re going to have to embrace that, and help more people support it, in order for us to really make a dent in poverty.”

A jobless rate that’s well above the national average is also a major contributor to the poverty rate in Albany, Fletcher explained.

“We are at a little less than 15 percent unemployment, which means that is approximately 12,000 people without work.

“We are facing 39 percent poverty here locally. When we can get industry to come look at our area, we don’t have incentives set in place to make these people want to call Albany their home.”

            Hubbard believes Albany can turn around if citizens can come together, and deal with the various issues affecting the city as a whole.

“I think it’s going to take us working together to turn our city around,” said Hubbard. “I think it’s going to take changing our mindset, believing we are the greatest city, and that our city is great because we have chosen to live here.

“I think that we have to stop other people from talking negatively about our city, because there are people who come back here to live, and they think that we have a great city.

“But I guess because we’re here and here all the time, and we see everything, and see how things are going, and then we take it for granted. So, what I hope to do is to be able to turn that around, and share with people some of the wonderful things that this city has to offer.”

On The Web: B.J. Fletcher—http://www.bj4mayor.com

Dorothy Hubbard—http://www.hubbardformayor.com

John White—http://www.johnwhitemayor.com

 

Tags: Albany Mayoral race, B.J. Fletcher, dorothy hubbard, John White, politics, Walter L.Johnson
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Prep Game of the Week: Early at Albany

– October 26, 2011Posted in: Sports, Walter L. Johnson II

 

When: Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.

Where: Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany

2011 records: Early County is 3-5, 1-3 in Georgia High School Association Region 1-AA. Albany is 4-4, 1-3 in GHSA Region 1-AA.

Last week: Early County lost to Cook, 27-26. Albany lost to Brooks County, 62-27.

All-time series record: Early County leads 16-3

First meeting: Albany 25, Early County 13 (1984)

Last meeting: Early County 13, Albany 7 (2010)

 

The Albany Indians will play their most meaningful game since 2002 — the last time they advanced to the playoffs — when they play host to the Early County Bobcats at Hugh Mills Stadium, in a must-win game for both teams Thursday night.

Head coach Felton Williams and the Indians won three of their first four games in 2011. Two of those victories came against their fellow Dougherty County School System rivals in Dougherty (39-7 on Aug. 27) and Monroe (14-13 on Sept. 13), while losing to Westover (13-7 on Sept. 3). Their lone non-region win outside of Albany-Dougherty County came against Randolph-Clay in a shutout, 41-0, on Sept. 15.

It’s been in GHSA Region 1-AA play, however, that Albany has had its struggles of late. The Indians have been outscored 153-68 in their region losses, to Fitzgerald (56-21 on Sept. 22), Thomasville (35-20 on Oct. 6), and last week to Brooks County (62-27). Their only region victory so far this season came against Berrien in a 42-7 rout on Sept. 30.

As for Early County, the Bobcats have had several close losses in 2011. Of the five games they’ve lost so far this year, four have been by four points or less. Those losses came Bainbridge (16-12), Thomasville (13-12 in overtime), Fitzgerald (20-14), and most recently to Cook (27-26). Additionally, the Bobcats have had one double-digit loss, 33-13, to Seminole County on Sept. 9.

Albany won the first two meetings against Early County in 1984 and 1985, including a 27-0 shutout win in the latter season. Since then, though, the Bobcats have dominated the series, winning 16 of their last 17 meetings against the Indians dating back to 1990. There have been two interruptions in the series, with neither team playing each other from 1986-1989, or from 1992-1995.

Since the series resumed in 1996, Early County has won 14 of the previous 15 meetings against Albany. The Indians only win in the series over the Bobcats during that span came in 1999, when they won 34-25 on the way to a 2-8 record that season. Early County has won 11 straight games since then.

Even with the struggles both teams have had so far during the 2011 season, the winner of Thursday’s match-up between the Bobcats and Indians will still have an outside shot of advancing to the playoffs going into the final week of the regular season.

Albany must both of its remaining games, against Early County and Cook, and maybe get some outside help, to advance to the playoffs. The Indians upset a Lamar County that finished the 2002 regular season unbeaten at 9-0, by a score of 21-14, before losing to Pierce County, 35-21, in the second round of the state playoffs that year.

Early County, on the other hand, finds itself in the same situation as Albany. Like the Indians, the Bobcats must also win out and get help to advance to postseason play for the first time since 2007. The Bobcats were shut out by Jefferson County, 13-0, in the first round of the GHSA Class AA state playoffs that season.

A win over Early County this week would not only assure Albany of its first .500 or better season since that 2002 campaign, the Indians would also take a giant step towards earning their first playoff berth since then. So don’t be surprised if this contest comes right down to the final play.

Source: Georgia High School Football Historians Association /www.ghsfha.org).

 

Tags: AHS football, Sports, Walter Johnson
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Prep Game of the Week: Cairo at Westover

– October 19, 2011Posted in: Columns, Sports, Walter L. Johnson II


When: Friday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany

2011 records: Cairo is 5-2 overall, 3-0 in GHSA Region 1-AAA. Westover is 4-3 overall, 2-1 in GHSA Region 1-AAA.

Last week: Cairo defeated Worth County, 33-27. Westover defeated Crisp County, 20-6.

All-time series record: Cairo leads 17-3

First meeting: Cairo 18, Westover 0 (1969)

Last meeting: Cairo 45, Westover 0 (2010)

 

            The Westover Patriots will play not only their biggest game of the 2011 season, but maybe the biggest game in the history of their football program, when they play host to the Cairo Syrupmakers at Hugh Mills Stadium Friday night.

Westover improved to 2-1 in Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Region 1-AAA action with a 20-6 win over Crisp County last week. With that win, the Patriots put themselves in prime position to win their first-ever region championship.

On the other hand, the Syrupmakers needed overtime to stay undefeated in GHSA Region 1-AAA play, as they held off the Worth County Rams, 33-27. In addition to their win over Worth, Cairo has also notched wins over Dougherty (42-13) and Monroe (33-7).

Both teams have played their share of close games so far this season, as the Syrupmakers are 2-2 in games decided by six points or less, including a 7-6 win over Drew in the season opener on Aug. 26. Cairo lost both of its contests, to Bainbridge and Thomas County Central, respectively, by the identical score of 17-14.

As for Westover, the Patriots have struggled in close games, as all three of their losses have come by a combined total of 10 points, losing to Bainbridge (23-20 in triple overtime), Early County (21-19), and Worth County (23-18). They did win one close game over cross-town rival Albany High, 13-7, on Sept. 3.

Cairo has dominated the series against Westover over the previous 20 meetings, with the Patriots’ last win over the Syrupmakers coming in 1993. Westover shut out Cairo, 7-0, en route to a 6-4 record that season. Since 1994, the Syrupmakers have won 11 straight games over the Patriots, including seven in a row dating back to 2004.

With Cairo being the lone unbeaten in GHSA Region 1-AAA action, and Westover being among three other teams (3-1 Americus-Sumter and 2-1 Crisp County) with at least one loss in region play, a win by the Patriots could create a log jam at the top of the region standings. They’ll have to play a near-perfect game, however, to pull off one of the most improbable wins of the 2011 season.

            Source: Georgia High School Football Historians Association (www.ghsfha.org)

 

Tags: Sports, Westover
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Prep Game of the Week: Crisp at Westover

– October 12, 2011Posted in: Walter L. Johnson II

When: Friday, Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hugh Mills Stadium, Albany

2011 records: Crisp County is 4-2 overall, 2-0 in GHSA Region 1-AAA. Westover is 3-3 overall, 1-1 in GHSA Region 1-AAA.

Last week: Crisp County defeated Americus-Sumter, 8-7. Westover had a bye.

All-time series record: Crisp County leads 16-5

First meeting: Westover 13, Crisp County 8 (1970)

Last meeting: Crisp County 14, Westover 3 (2010)

            The Crisp County Cougars and Westover Patriots will meet for the 22nd time in yet another critical Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Region 1-AAA contest at Hugh Mills Stadium on Friday night.

The teams met six times during the 1970s, with the Cougars winning four of the six match-ups. Crisp County won the games played in 1971, 1974, 1978, and 1979, while Westover emerged victorious in 1970 and 1975. The series went dormant during the 1980s, with the next game not being played until 1990, when the Cougars crushed the Patriots, 34-8.

Since 1990, there have been another six seasons where the Westover-Crisp County series has not been played, with no games played in 1996 or 1997, or from 2000-2003.

Since the series resumed in 2004, the Cougars have had the upper hand in it, winning six of the last seven games, including the last three contests. The Patriots lone win in that span come in 2007, when they downed the Cougars, 31-20.

Over the years, Crisp County has won eight region championships, five of them as a member of GHSA Region 3-AAA during the 1980s, as well as their most recent crown in 1995, when the Cougars won the Region 2-AAA title en route to advancing to the state semifinals in the Georgia Dome, losing to eventual state runner-up Cedar Shoals, 27-24, in overtime. Ironically, the 1995 campaign would be last double-digit win season for the Crisp County program, as the Cougars finished it 12-2 under then head coach Clay Hill.

Last week, Crisp County moved into a tie for first place in GHSA Region 1-AAA with an 8-7 win over Americus-Sumter at home, while Westover used its bye week to re-group after losing to Worth County, 23-18, on Sept. 29.

With the last six meetings decided by 11 points or less, the team that makes the big plays when they need to, as well as the fewest mistakes, will likely win this week’s match-up. With Crisp County and Cairo currently sitting at 2-0 in region play, followed by Americus-Sumter at 2-1, Westover at 1-1, Monroe and Worth County, and Dougherty at 0-3, the Crisp-Westover matchup could go a long way towards not only deciding which team wins a region title, and also which teams will punch a ticket to the state playoffs deep into November.

            Source: Georgia High School Football Historians Association (www.ghsfha.org)

Tags: high school football, Westover
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