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Locals apathetic about mayoral election?
Posted: 09.25.2011 at 9:10 PM
Updated: 09.26.2011 at 1:45 PM
Jessica Fairley

Jessica Fairley is a reporter with FOX 31 News

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Few turnout for town hall meetings.

Few attend public meetings for mayoral candidates.  / Jessica Fairley
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ALBANY, GA. -- The city of Albany is weeks out from the mayoral election and candidates are wondering: where are the people?

The number of concerned citizens appearing at town hall meetings doesn’t reflect the pool of registered voters. Candidates say with a population of over 70,000, they expect a larger turnout for question and answer sessions, but event after event the numbers aren't adding up.

“It could've been better. I don't think it went as well as it could've been. But I think the people that were there were really interested,” said Mayoral Candidate Dorothy Hubbard.

“There was nothing apathetic about those people. They weren’t there for a handout they were there out of concern,” said Mayoral Candidate B.J. Fletcher.

Although apathetic may not be the exact word to describe voters, candidates say there has to be a reason why many aren't coming out. Michael Coronati is a local pastor who says his not showing up wasn't because of a lack of concern, but more like bad timing.

“Everybody's so busy nowadays with just different things. We have kids and the kids are involved in other things,” said Albany resident Michael Coronati.

He says just because his face isn't present at a public meeting doesn't mean he's unaccounted for.

“If you can do your own individual research then you really know where they stand on a particular issue, especially the ones that matter to you as a voter,” said Coronati.

“Some people want to have an up close one on one relationship with the candidates, but at the same time there are those who don't necessarily need that,” said Hubbard.

For some, there's no need to waste a drive when all the facts are just a click away.

“You can't ever go wrong with a cell phone. I mean it's got all the news that you want in there,” said Michael Coronati.

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