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February 4, 2010

Williams vows common-sense approach

By Jean Cole The News Courier Thu Feb 04, 2010, 10:31 PM CST

Athens Mayor Dan Williams says he will call for common sense budgeting, lower taxes and stronger pursuit of jobs to increase the state’s wealth if he is elected state representative in November.

With his wife, Kay, by his side, Williams officially launched his campaign on the Republican ticket Thursday morning for 5th District seat now held by Democrat Henry White. Independent candidate and former Athens councilman Jerry Hill and Athens Board of Zoning Adjustment member Don Huddleston, a Republican, are also in the race.

The five-term mayor talked himself out of running several times after visiting Montgomery, but decided to run because he believes he can help add direction, he said.

“The state is broke, there is a crisis in the prison system…and the state legislature is debating whether a person should be allowed to have a sawed-off shotgun in his home,” he said.

He also believes he can help persuade other legislators to pass more state dollars to cities and counties because they can offer services more efficiently than can the state because they know precisely what is needed.

“This election is vital for the future of out community and our state,” Williams said. “I want to put my experience as mayor to work in Montgomery to bring common sense to our state budget, reduce taxes and give our communities the support they need to bring new jobs.”

As evidence of his job-procurement skills, Williams cited his efforts to expand the Athens Industrial Park and to help bring the robotics center — a training center — to Calhoun Community College.

“During my time as mayor, I have worked with the City Council and the community to bring new business and jobs without raising taxes,” Williams said. “In Montgomery, I will work to restore fiscal discipline and pass real ethics reform to restore confidence in our government.”

When asked what made him the superior candidate, Williams cited his experience and, uh, his stature.

“I have the experience of 20 years as mayor of the city of Athens, and the close contact with the budget and — I’m taller than him,” Williams said, adding that White is a close friend of his with whom he has worked closely. “He is aligned with the Democratic Party, and I do not believe they are doing what they should be doing in the state.”

Specifically, he believes state government should be more conservative, more fiscally responsible and more responsible for getting jobs and increasing revenue in the state.

During Thursday’s press conference, Williams mentioned PACT—Alabama’s Prepaid Affordable College Tuition program. The state is trying to figure out how to replace a deficit in the program caused by investment losses during the recession. Williams said the state made a promise to the participants and should make good on it, though he admitted he did not know at this time where the state would find the money.

On one controversial matter, Williams said he opposes proposals to legalize gambling in order to generate more money for the state. More than 100 people marched at the state Capitol Wednesday in protest of Gov. Bob Riley’s task force against illegal gambling. Many residents, and politicians, believe residents should be allowed to vote on whether to legalize gambling.

Though Williams is running as a Republican, he said he was tired of partisan politics and he hopes his willingness to work without it, as he did at City Hall, will serve him if he is elected in November.

Before being elected mayor in 1992, Williams served five years on the Athens school board and eight years on the City Council, including four years as council president. He worked 25 years for the Alabama Department of Human Resources and served 26 years in the Alabama National Guard. He and his wife, Kay, have four children and five grandchildren.