On the ballot, District 1: Antonio Williams
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on October 25, 2015 1:50 AM
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Antonio Williams
Q: Why do you want to be on the Goldsboro City Council?
A: I was born here. I was raised on the north end of town, and since my return I am so disappointed with the progress. When you go down to the section of north end you see dirt roads. You see a lot of dilapidated homes. You see places that remind you of a Third World country. It hurts my heart because I learned everything right on the north end.
I am disappointed that we have some areas of the city that are amazing. If you go a little ways down Fedelon Trail, it is like Utopia, and I love it, don't get me wrong.
But I think that we should concentrate on those areas, too, because there are families there, they depend on the government, and they need help, and I want to be there to help them. So that is one of the reasons that I am running for City Council, but then for all of the city.
Q: What government experience do you have? If you don't have government experience, what are your qualifications?
A: I currently sit on the Historical Commission. I have been on that board for about four years. I am on the steering committee for the Streetscape project. I also mentor young people here. I just try to encourage them and teach them simple things.
I really believe in doing my part. I was part of the Boys & Girls Club here when I was a kid. I also had great mentors there. I had great coaches -- I played football for Goldsboro High School.
I feel that as man there is more that needs to be done for our young men and young girls here.
Q: The City Council has designated four major issues it intends to tackle in the coming years.
Where do you stand on these issues?
* Greenways and pathways around the city, both maintenance of existing systems and bringing new ones to Goldsboro.
I think greenways are great. What I love about greenways is it gives you a chance to park your vehicle, which emits terrible emissions, and get out there and exercise. Also you get the opportunity to take your family and go through the walkways and greenways and experience things from a different perspective because some things you wouldn't even know existed in your town if you didn't go through these greenways and pathways.
* Continue to invest in downtown.
A: I supported the Streetscape project from the first block. I believe we should continue because I believe that this is the heart of all of Goldsboro, downtown. This is where we pay our utility bills. This is where our court system is. This is where our local business owners are, entrepreneurs. So I truly believe in investing here. But I don't want to forget the other areas, too.
* Develop the city's parks and recreation department.
A: I believe that the parks department is doing a wonderful job. I would like to see more after-school programs for our young people. They don't have enough to do when they get out of school. I think if we can add some more programs in place for our young men, young girls, I think that would help their parents feel secure they are in a safe place.
I think we have a lot of parks here in the city. I think that what we could do we could add onto to some our existing parks. I think that we need more indoor space. I know at one point we were considering having like two gymnasiums at the new W.A. Foster. I truly believe we need a little more space. I believe we need enough space for indoor activities as far as track, exercise.
* Combat blight throughout the city.
In regards to blight, I believe it is going to take a joint effort. It is going to take the community and the government to combat it. What I would like to see is the broken windows approach. If we see a house that is dilapidated, first maybe we can just start with the windows. Then we could start with maybe a little pressure washing, maybe a little paint and do it on a community level. I think that one house at a time we can make a difference.
I would possibly say we would try to reach the (absentee) owners first and just give them alternatives and ask them if they are willing to part with the property. Make an offer. Give the community an opportunity if someone in the community wants to buy the property.
Q: As for the budget, are there things you would like to see cut, increased or added?
A: I would like to just make sure that all areas, the funds are allocated equally -- especially when you see there are areas that have dirt roads that we try to work on those areas and get those roads repaired. If we see there is a serious need of course or a situation that erupts that we didn't plan that we work on that as well.
Q: What do you think the city needs to do to help curb the violence, particularly shootings, that seems to be escalating?
A: The violence I believe that it is also a community issue. What I would like to see done, I would like to see us bridge the gap between local government and the community -- to get the police where they feel as though they are trusted again because it is a lack of trust in a lot of the communities where the crime is.
That is why people don't come forward with information when a crime occurs. So I would work to build trust again with our local law enforcement. How we could do that is to get our police officers to get back to the old community policing. Have them in the neighborhood interacting with our young people and seniors.
Another thing that I think would help is creating some jobs for our young people that are living wage jobs. Get some skilled training place. I think that would help tremendously, too.