It’s been a long time since a mayoral election in Warner Robins has amounted to much. But it won’t be that way in 2009, because this time, they’re gunning for the big guy.
Donald Walker has been mayor since 1994 when he won the special election after a federal district court conviction forced Ed Martin from office. Walker might as well have a target painted on his chest or back for he will be in the crosshairs of the other three.
Interestingly, the other three speak little ill of Walker.
Chuck Shaheen, political unknown, pharmaceutical salesman, says he decided by at least age 18 that he wanted to be mayor of his hometown. His years in business, he says, have prepared him top handle the job. He told a campaign gathering last week that he wants to take the things Walker has done for the city and improve upon them.
Chuck Chalk, another who has never before run for office, has ties to Robins Air Force Base and said during his campaign kickoff three weeks ago that he has nothing against Mayor Walker and doesn’t necessarily disagree with any of his policies. What he does want, he said, is to give voters someone besides Walker to vote for if they are so inclined.
Clifford Holmes does have some experience as an elected official; he is in the last days of his one term on the Warner Robins City Council. As the city’s mayor pro tem, Holmes stepped in as acting mayor when Walker took a temporary medical leave last year. Holmes stepped down from his school board position, he said at the time, so he could do justice to the job of mayor pro tem.
The lines, then, have been drawn. All four have paid the $3,090 dollar qualifying fee required of mayoral candidates. The conviviality and gentleness at the start-up of the campaign, however, is not likely to last very long. It will come to a screeching halt when the talk turns to G-RAMP, property taxes, city services, municipal growth and candidate judgment.
It promises to be a wild ride.
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