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| September 19, 1996 The Tuskegee News |  |
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tabl/s'b b 1865
Era over as Williams wins
New mayor gets
over 73%
By GUY RHODES
Editor
The grill was sizzling, the records were loud, and even some champagne bottles were
popped open Tuesday night at Ron Williams headquarters as happy supporters celebrat-
ed the election of their candidate as mayor of Tuskegee.
It had been 24 years--six four-year terms--since anyone other than Johnny Ford had
held such a celebration in
Tuskegee. Ron Williams
had been in on some of
those festive occasions as
an administrative assis-
tant and Ford's right-
hand man. Tuesday, it
was Williams who would
now wear the title,
"Mayor."
While his supporters
happily celebrated a deci-
sive victory with
Williams outpolling Ford
2,848 to 1,041, Williams
didn't flaunt the victory.
He wasn't loud and lead-
ing the cheers. That's not
Freddie Washington
Lateefah Muhammad
Muhammad, Colson,
Washington winners
By GUY RHODES
Editor
his style.
figures in
and many other
areas, Williams was con-
tent to walk among his
( See MAYOR, P. A-2)
ge, opportunity ahead
the second verse that you heard the fat lady sing on
Tuesday. There can be no doubt that the people of
and Macon County are ready for, hungry for, a new
both the city and the county.
by amazing percentages--Ron Williams got 73 per-
We now have some golden opportunities. We must resolve to
see that these new elected officials live up to their promises. We
should also regularly remind them that they are servants of
those who honored them with positions of public trust.
For much too long, the major, loud messages being sent forth
Vote against Johnny Ford-- were
perceived to be unwill- [
to chart a new course for our
I
have seen an old-fashion woodshed
for both Tuskegee Mayor Johnny Ford and Macon
ion Chairman Frank Lee--and almost all of
city and county governing bodies.
is dawning.
assume that all those left in the dust in recent
"bad" people. Some of them were, based on the
carried out their duties, but most were simply caught
of despair. The county was not moving for-
city was in a "status quo" holding pattern. The people
their elected officials.
from our city and county have been negative.
riaiiAnd there was a general malaise in °ur city
An Edi'to and county. How could we possibility grow,
attract new business and new industry and
tourists when we constantly presented such a negative image.
Just this week, there was another one of those terrible, but
true stories. Auditors again remind us that our schools are now
under state financial control, that we had a set of terribly slop-
py financial records, now burned up in a questionable fire.
And last month there was the negative story about the use
and misuse of funds by the Macon County Water Authority. The
county's financial records are so terribly sloppy that they can't
(See EDITORIAL, P. A-2)
When Tuskegee's new city council is seated the first week of
October, the only returning member will be Place 3 office holder
Mae Doris Williams. The voters of Tuskegee have issued a man-
date in replacing four of five incumbents.
They did that with a strong turnout of 3,890 going to the polls
in ~esday's city of 501 overthe ini-
tlal v~g
fewer voter in runoff el~on~ ::
In the Aug. 27 election, newcomer Rozell Chappell Jr. unseated
incumbent Harold Washington for Place 1 without a runoff.
Tuesday, first-time office holders Jess Colson, Freddie L. Wash-
ington and Lateefah Muhammad joined Chappell as newcomers
to the council. With Mayor Johnny Ford defeated by Ron
Williams, nearly 100 years experience in elected positions for the
city of Tuskegee was replaced by Mrs. Williams with four years'
experience.
In Place 2, Colson defeated Ludie Hall 1,784 to 1,748. For Place
4, council president Louis Maxwell was ousted by Washington
who had a decisive 2,412 votes to 1,200 for the incumbent. Place
5 was a close race between first-time office seekers as Muham-
mad defeated Ben Rackley 1,942 to 1,852.
Washington and Muhammad see positive days ahead for
Tuskegee.
"This is a tremendous opportunity," Washington said. "The peo-
ple have spoken for change, and I think we will listen. As for the
lack of experience with the council, I think we can look to the
experience we all bring to the council from our backgrounds to
make a difference."
Washington works with the state in ADECCA while
Muhammed is an attorney. Colson, who was at a revival and
unavailable for comment, is in real estate and was in the U.S.
Navy 22 years, including two years on a council that advised for-
mer President Jimmy Carter.
Washington and Muhammad agree that an independent audit
is needed to see where the city stands financially.
"We will almost beat a standstill for, at least the first year,
except for the services mandated by law while we get an audit
and see what direction we need to go," Muhammad said. uWe
have to make assessments. I'm not talking about whq|esale
changes, but to make decisions that need to be made."
kegee 's Hattie King ready for 'Ms. Senior America'
ES
I00 supporters from Tuskegee
County are expected to cheer
City Clerk Hattie King on this
when she participates in the
America" Pageant in BiloxJ,
was crowned "Ms. Senior
in the pageant for ladies 60
earlier this year in competition
In winning the honor,
is the second representative
to compete for the nation-
Thomas was "Ms. Senior
in 1994 and finished first run-
Senior America."
are expected to be repre-
the event that includes a week
for the contestants who will
Grand Casino Hotel.
COmpetition begins Friday with
the contestants appearing in an opening
number, followed by individual talent
presentations.
After winning the "Ms. Senior Alaba-
ma" title with a talent presentation of
Tins Turner, Mrs. King has a new rou-
tine for the "Ms. Senior America" compe-
tition. In Biloxi, she will perform a mono-
logue, dance and sing to "Dark Strutters
Ball."
Mrs. King will wear a bright pink tuxe-
do jacket with tails, black shorts and
hose, and carry a top hat as she "struts"
across the stage.
"After looking over the contest from the
previous year, and in keeping with the
'Age of Elegance' theme, I decided to have
a different routine," said Mrs. King.
"Right after winning the 'Ms. Senior
Alabama' pageant Feb. 17, I began work-
ing with Eleanor Trafton of Birmingham,
also with help from Barbara Bonfield."
Mrs. King said her adrenaline is flowing
as the competition near. She is particu-
larly appreciative of the support she's
received from many fronts, especially
from her home county and town.
About 70 people from RSVP led by Mrs.
Sadie Edwards, one of the sponsors of the
local contest to qualify those for the state
competition, will be in Biloxi. There will
be at least 30 others making the trip.
It has been a strange week for Mrs.
King, who will retire Sept. 30 after 31
years with the city of Tuskegee, the past
four as city clerk.
Normally, Tuesday she would have been
in charge of the runoff election, but was
given permission several months ago by
the city council to allow her assistant,
Linda Pace, to handle the election.
Young at heart, Mrs. King looks to the
concept of "inner beauty" and being a
"possibility" thinker to carry her through
the competition.
Ms. Senior Alabama Hattie King of Tuskegee
... Gets encouragement from Gov. Fob James