Houston County residents hear from city candidates at NAACP meet and greet

Editor’s note: This article is part two of a two-part series.

WARNER ROBINS – The Houston County NAACP hosted a meet and greet where both incumbents and new faces shared their priorities with residents. 

Each city and its candidates had an opportunity to answer questions and introduce themselves to attendees. The event was not a debate, but instead a candidate forum to keep citizens informed about the upcoming municipal elections. 

Warner Robins candidates

Mayoral candidate Fabian Velazquez and current Mayor LaRhonda Patrick addressed questions during the panel discussion. Council members were also present, including Keith Lauritsen, Derek Mack and Clifford Holmes. They are all running unopposed, but still wanted to answer questions from attendees.

Velazquez introduced himself to attendees, sharing his views on the city. He said one of his concerns is the city growing away from itself. He said he is against its growth because he believes it is neglecting its residents. 

His priorities also include creating a walkable city and a community where people know one another. However, he believes the city is not going in that direction. 

Velazquez hopes to address this issue by revising zoning and building codes to facilitate the establishment of new businesses. He also wants to see accessory commercial units, small retail and service spaces built on residential properties. 

Velazquez also hopes to address the issue of a shrinking middle class, saying residents are starting to move to the south side of the city. He said this is due to the north side being less desirable, which he believes is an incredible issue. 

“I respect your vote and I’ve come here ready to articulate what I want to see to all of you,” he said. 

Patrick said Warner Robins is a family, and it lends itself to how the city is managed. She said the city is led with humility, citizens first and integrity. Patrick aims for the city to be a shining light in middle Georgia, which is why she ran for office back in 2021. 

Patrick believes there is still work to do, but the city has come a long way since she took office. 

“We’ve done a lot of things and we just want to continue what we started together and that’s what I intend to do when you vote for me [on] November fourth,” she said. 

After council members introduced themselves and spoke about the city’s growth, they welcomed questions from the audience. 

An attendee mentioned tree growth, causing limbs to fall onto city streets. Concerned about the dangers to children and drivers, he asked what the city could do. 

Lauritsen said trees are a topic the city frequently discusses. He mentioned recently improved code enforcement. 

He also mentioned an upcoming code enforcement board, which will address issues related to violations. Lauritsen shared that it will make it easier to address those issues, and the city is committed to maintaining cleanliness.

Council acknowledged individual responsibility. Mack said it is essential for residents to hold each other accountable and encouraged them to reach out if they have any issues.

However, Velazquez said the city should be able to take care of tree limbs falling onto its streets, since it’s a public area. He hopes the city can address problems for its citizens rather than placing responsibility on residents. 

Velazquez believed he did not receive solid answers from Patrick and the council members. He discussed the issue of blight and abandoned businesses, which causes the middle class to move out of certain areas. His plan to handle those businesses is to acquire more funding by changing zoning codes. 

A previous member of the Blight Task Force told Velazquez that addressing empty buildings, a task force function, involves locating the owner and encouraging them to repair their building. She said most buildings do not belong to the city, and the owners do not live in the area. 

A business owner on the north side of the city also asked a question related to the Warner Robins Housing Authority, where concerns have been raised about homeowners encountering mice and mold. 

Velazquez said that on the north side, many citizens live in those homes. He is tired of seeing more homes built rather than the city maintaining what it already has, a part of his platform.

Patrick clarified that the city collaborates with the WRHA, but it is separate from the city government. They are aware that the homes are older and in need of upgrades, and Patrick said the organization has been faithful in providing them. 

Patrick shared that the city is helping the organization by facilitating more development, mentioning plans to build additional homes on Ignico Drive. She hopes the new development will allow them to “empty out” the old units, which will be demolished and replaced with new homes.

Patrick believes she, along with council members, are elevating Warner Robins, and they plan to continue. She said they are building a city for everyone.

To learn more about Patrick’s reelection campaign, read here. 

To learn more about Velazquez’s campaign, click here. 

To view the livestream of the event, click here.