WSC Hosts Waynesboro City Council Candidate Forum on April 25

The Waynesboro Senior Center held a successful City Council Candidate Forum on April 25, co-hosted by NBC-29 News and moderated by Ken Slack of NBC 29.

The Forum was co-sponsored by the Valley Program for Aging Services, and NBC29 as well. The event filled the cafeteria at the Waynesboro Senior Center with a crowd of nearly 100 residents from the community. Council candidates tackled questions from the media and citizens.

The following story aired on NBC-29 on April 25. To see the on-air story go to: www.nbc29.com/story/17737876/waynesboro-candidate-forum.

One week before Election Day in Waynesboro, the lines are clearly drawn. During the last open forum of the afternoon, city council candidates sparred over education funding, local taxes and a big land purchase.

Three of the five city council seats are up for election and contested, so the voting on May 1 could bring a power shift.

Funding for Waynesboro Public Schools repeatedly came up during the forum. School board members openly complained just two nights ago that the current council is micro managing and withholding vital funds.

Ward A council candidate Jim Serba said, “You can’t keep a number constant on revenue that is basically the same and expect the schools to be able to operate when all the expenses go up.”

Ward A council candidate Tim Williams stated, “I have asked a number of times for the amount needed, the dollar amount needed to fully fund and balance their budget. I have yet to receive an answer. We need open and honest dialogue.”

Challengers were critical of recent hikes in some user fees, and meals-and-lodging taxes. Incumbent council members said most of those taxes are paid by visitors, not Waynesboro residents.

Candidates also traded barbs over Waynesboro council’s recent land purchase for a future industrial park and whether the $3.5 million was a wise investment.