Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2011

News 12 at 6 o'clock / Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011

WAYNESBORO, Ga. -- It was a very close call, but after a runoff election, the City of Waynesboro has elected a new mayor. And voters made history in the process.

Pauline Jenkins is the first woman and the first African-American ever elected to this position in the city.

Jenkins won by six votes total, just barely beating out incumbent Mayor George DeLoach. After a very close race, former City Council member Jenkins is ready to begin her four-year term as mayor starting in January.

"The thing that I want to work on the most is getting our young people off the streets," she said. "Try to get them acclimated to the jobs. With that entails training."

In addition to jobs, Jenkins says she wants to improve infrastructure in Waynesboro and clean up problem areas.

"I'm not afraid to go in any area to find out what the problem is," Jenkins said.

Jenkins served on Waynesboro's City Council and was then elected as vice mayor. She worked for the Burke County Board of Education for nine years before moving to her current position, a family services coordinator with the Richmond County Board of Education.

"When I left city government in 2005, morale was low. I want to try to change that," Jenkins said.

She's also anticipating growth with new jobs at Plant Vogtle next year. She looks forward to working with nearby cities Sardis, Millen, Girard, and Keysville.

"If Plant Vogtle is going to provide revenue, we've all got to work together so we all get a piece of the pot," Jenkins said.

Jenkins said she hopes to offer a fresh perspective to city issues.

"I hope that people do not think by me being a female that I will be a soft leader. I will be firm, but I will be fair," she said. "If you didn't vote for me, didn't think I could do the job, just give me a chance. I'll be open to listen to anybody."

Jenkins won with 597 votes while incumbent George L. Deloach received 591 votes.

For council seat 3, Brenda L. Lewis won with 184 votes while her competitor, Barrett Madison, received 137 votes.