Three Democrats are now vying for the Ward 5 city council seat, with two more entering the fray this week.
Cequeila V. Clark and Gregory “Gary” Jefferson are the latest to file qualifying paperwork. They join Sedrick Fenster in the race.
Clark, 40, is a nursing assistant who volunteers with the Loaves and Fishes feeding ministry. She said she also advocates for women and children who experience domestic violence.
If elected, she said she would put her faith at the center of her service.
“I would like to collectively get together as a ward and fellowship,” Clark said. “… My ultimate goal is to bring citizens of (Ward 5) together collectively under one sound name, which is Jesus. … God reserves the right to use whomever He wants. … I think that it’s time for a godly change in our community.”
She said she would also look to bolster programs for both the youth and the elderly, as well as be an empathetic ear for all citizens.
“Sometimes we push away voices of concern that we really need to be listening to,” she said.
Jefferson, 58, is a lifelong Columbus resident and works as a superintendent at JTB Furniture LLC. He co-owns the Glitzy and Kang Event Center and Up and At It Beauty Salon.
He believes he has the “knowledge to improve Ward 5.” If elected, he would push for continued street improvements and good stewardship of the city’s ongoing $4.4 million parks improvement plan, which is focused mainly on renovating Propst Park.
Jefferson also wants to push for more community policing, with more officers out in neighborhoods interacting with citizens.
“Let’s try to get the community and police together so that we can trust each other,” he said. “When people get to know the police, we can get people to tell a little more than they’ve been telling.”
Qualifying for municipal elections runs through 5 p.m. Jan. 31. Party primaries are April 1 and the general election is June 3.
Ward 2
Incumbent Democrat Joseph Mickens is looking to make city history.
First elected in 2009, he is seeking his fifth term on the council. To his knowledge no Columbus council member has served five terms.
“That’s what’s got me excited about this one,” Mickens said. “… I’m asking the people for one more term. After that, I’m going to the house.”
But he has already drawn two opponents in fellow Democrats Laisha “Ms. She-She” O’Neal and Roderick Smith.
Mickens, 66, has owned and operated Floor Specialists since 1997. He also pastors two churches in Kemper County.
He touted the council’s success, especially since 2021, making “key decisions.” Among the decisions he is proudest of are raising minimum wage for city workers to $15 an hour, funding ongoing parks improvements, hiring Jim Brigham as the chief financial officer and the city’s first female chief operations officer in Jammie Garrett.
“In times past, the mayor made, you might as well say, all the key decisions,” Mickens said, referring to former mayor Robert Smith, who lost in 2021. “But we had more of an input (this term).”
Still, Mickens has criticized current mayor Keith Gaskin for not working with the council at times. Gaskin opted not to seek a second term.
“Going forward, I’m just praying and hoping we can get someone up here (as mayor) who respects us and will work with us,” Mickens said.
As for his plans if reelected, he said he is focused on the campaign ahead.
“Right now, the top priority is getting elected,” he said. “It seems like I’ve got some energetic people up against me. Now, I’m the old guy on the block, so I’ve got to get out here and channel some energy.”
Ward 4
After two unsuccessful runs for the Ward 4 council seat, Lavonne Harris hopes the third time is the charm.
Harris, 63, a Democrat, recently stepped down from the city’s election commission so she could qualify to run for office. She also plans to step down this month as the president for the Lowndes County NAACP, a position she’s held for 19 years.
She owns Von’s Exotic Hair Salon and volunteers with Loaves and Fishes. She also serves on Columbus Municipal School District’s Superintendent’s Advisory Board and is a member of the Lowndes County Democratic Federation of Women.
“I work a lot in the community,” she said. “I’m always out to help anybody I can.”
If elected, she said she will focus on “jobs, education and public safety,” as well as cleaning up the community.
“(I want to) be a strong advocate for the community, serve the community, inspire them and empower them,” she said. “Not only is change possible, it’s within our reach.”
Incumbent Pierre Beard has not yet qualified, though he has publicly said he intends to seek reelection.
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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