Warner Robins Mayor Chuck Shaheen and Bob Wilbanks, mayor pro tem, got into a verbal exchange about the proposed new law enforcement center Wednesday afternoon, with accusations about dirty politics and illegal actions hurled at each other.

Shaheen and City Council member John Williams were on the “Good Afternoon, Warner Robins” radio show on WRWR 1350 AM to discuss city events with host Todd Wilson. Wilbanks came in the studio about a half-hour into the show, right as telephone callers presented questions on the law enforcement center.

The center, proposed about 5 years ago, has been a hot-button issue for city residents. The city council in February approved the original design and architect for the center, with it being placed at Jimmy Perkins Park near the Civic Center. That site, along with two others, was recommended in a study from Urban Design Associates the council approved in January 2009. About a month ago, Williams began vigorously promoting the now-empty Food Max grocery store building on Russell Parkway that was toured by the mayor and council members last Thursday. That site was the center of the Shaheen-Wilbanks confrontation that began almost immediately after Wilbanks entered the studio.

The second caller asked if local businessman Wayne Lowe had an interest in the Food Max property.

Shaheen replied Lowe “has no interest whatsoever” with the building, and if he did he would probably donate the site to the city.

“John Williams told me a couple of months ago that Wayne Lowe had an interest in buying the sports complex, and that’s why we’re looking at that building” said Wilbanks.

Shaheen replied city Redevelopment Agency Director Gary Lee and Recreation Department Director James Dodson control any buying or selling of land, Lowe has no interest in the land, and “I’m telling you what you don’t know.”

Wilbanks said the mayor and council have the power for land acquisition, and reminded Shaheen the council already approved a sports complex on a site next to Huntington Middle School.

Shaheen said Wilbanks was being “a showboat,” and told him to “quit playing politics like you always do.”

“Let’s tell people the truth,” said Wilbanks.

In response to the caller’s next question, Shaheen said the Food Max property is for sale and “we’ve made them a real good offer.”

Wilbanks said he heard Shaheen say on the radio the Food Max site was just an option, adding, “Can you commit to the people of Warner Robins that it is just an option?” He then claimed Shaheen said last week he would put the matter on a referendum, but Shaheen cut in.

“No, I didn’t say that, you’re putting words in my mouth,” Shaheen said. “That’s politics, and you’re good at that.”

(Editor’s note: Local businessman Tony Robbins asked Shaheen last week if he would put the issue on a referendum, and Shaheen replied he had “no problem” doing that.)

Wilbanks then said the mayor “had tried your best” to get the Food Max site approved at Monday’s meeting, “and before the next called meeting you’ll try to get it passed again.” Shaheen now has the votes to approve the Food Max site, Wilbanks conceded, but added it was illegal because the council’s action in February has not yet been rescinded.

Shaheen said he asked City Attorney Jim Elliott if they were doing anything illegal and was assured they were not.

“I asked Jim Elliott about that and that’s when you start playing dirty politics,” Shaheen said.

They then agreed it was not illegal to look at property, with Wilbanks stressing Shaheen did not yet have a legal vote to rescind the council’s action to put the center at Jimmy Perkins Park.

“We can get that (vote),” Shaheen replied.

They then disagreed about the center’s cost and location, with Shaheen saying the building’s size – 63,000 square feet – was large enough to move municipal court to the site, which would generate some revenue for the city. He also said with the current economic climate the city is facing, taxes would have to be raised to cover the costs.

“You’re comparing apples to pumpkins, mayor,” Wilbanks said.

“I’m comparing dollars to cents,” Shaheen replied.

Wilbanks then claimed Shaheen was trying to sell land set aside for the sports complex, and Shaheen said he was creating unnecessary doubt in the minds of city residents.

“You’re moving your mouth, not telling the truth,” Shaheen said.

Williams then entered the conversation, saying the Food Max site was a better location, and that the 70 acres of the sports complex site would be best used for an industrial park, calling it “prime industrial property.”

Shaheen interjected that architect Jim Mehserle said the Food Max site was the best option for the law enforcement center.

Wilbanks said Shaheen was already talking about the center being at the site without a legal vote of the city council, and that property all along Front Street would be better used for industry.

The city has scheduled a special meeting for 2 p.m. Friday to discuss the law enforcement center.