KITCHEN TABLE POLITICS
PracticalConcernsThatAffectWaycrossCitizensDailyLives
“Kitchentablepolitics”isatermusedto describethereal,everydayissuesthat ordinaryfamiliesdiscussathome, often literallygatheredaroundthekitchentable orafterchurch.It'sawayoftalkingabout politicsthatfocuseslessonideologyor partisanshipandmoreonthepractical concernsthatshapepeople'sdailylives. We'veallheardthesaying, “The best way to hide something from our people is to put it in a book.” Sowhyistherenowa nationalpushtoremovebooksand
informationthatempowerus?Wearea peoplewhohavelongreliedonfaithand knowledgetosurvive,grow,andprosper Thispublicationismeanttobeasourceof thatknowledge,atooltohelpusmake informedchoices.Asacommunity,we havealwayschosenrespect,values,and moralsoverpolitics.Weareforgiving,but wearenotforgetful.Andwiththeright information,wecanmakethebest decisionsforourfamilies,ourfriends,and thegenerationsstilltocome.
STOP CONSOLIDATION
ConsolidationIsNotTheAnswer.ElectingTheRightPeopleIs!
It’stimeforamuch-neededkitchen tableconversationaboutourlocal governmentandthedirectionofour city.Rightnow,thecitizensof Waycrossfaceaseriousthreat: proposalstoconsolidatetheCityof WaycrossandWareCounty governments.Whilesomemay disguisethisasapathto “efficiency”or“progress,”the realityismuchmoredangerous, consolidationwouldweakenour voice,diluteourrepresentation,and takeawayourabilitytodecidewho fightsforus.
Thepushforconsolidationisnot happeninginavacuum.Overthe lastfouryears,ourcitygovernment hasbeenplaguedbyinstabilityand
dysfunction:
District1hasfacedspecial elections.
District2hasseencourtchallenges tocandidatequalifications.
District3hasbeenshakenby criminalchargesagainstasitting commissioner
District4hasgonethroughspecial elections.
District5requiredcourt intervention.
Thisisnotnormalanditisnot sustainable.Thisinstabilitycreates theperfectopeningforthosewho wanttotakeadvantageofchaosand pushconsolidationasthe “solution.”Butmakenomistake:
consolidationisnotthesolution.It istheworst-casescenarioanditis closerthanmanyrealize.
Here’sthegoodnews:Yourvotein thiselectioncyclecanstopit.We havethepower,rightnow,to chooseleaderswhowillrestore stability,accountability,andfocus tocitygovernment.Whenweelect commissionerswholisten,whocare aboutourneighborhoods,andwho actontheconcernsofthepeople theyrepresent,ourgovernmentwill workbetterandtheargumentsfor consolidationwillfallapart.
“Divideandconquer”isapowerful strategybutitonlyworksifweare divided.Ifwe,thecitizensof
District3andWaycross,stand together,wecanprotectourvoice, preserveourrepresentation,and chartourownfuturewithoutgiving awayourpower.
Consolidationisnottheanswer Electingtherightpeopleis.This electionisaboutmorethanoneseat, it’saboutthefutureofWaycross andwhetherourcitygovernment willbelongtoitspeopleorbe absorbedintosomethinglarger,less responsive,andfurtherremoved fromtheneedsofourcommunity.
Speak Truth to POWER
Restoring Respect, Trust, and Service in District 3
TheWaycrossCityCharter requirescooperation.It takesthesupportofthree commissionersworking togethertopass ordinances,fundservices, andmoveourcityforward. Unfortunately,ourdistrict losttheabilitytobuildthat collaboration.Withoutit, District3hasbeenleftout ofcriticaldecisionsthat shapeourfuture.
Electedoffice,asIwas taughtfromanearlyage, isnotaboutauthority;it's aboutrespect, accountability,andservice. MentorslikePastor WilliamSimmonsand otherrespectedleadersin
thiscommunitytaughtme thatpublicofficeisnota privilege,buta responsibility:toserve peoplewithdignity, humility,andalistening ear.Thoselessonscontinue toguidemyvisionfor Waycrosstoday.
Myunderstandingofthis communityrunsdeep. GrowingupinGarlington HeightsandonNichols Street,bothinDistrict3, taughtmethatevery neighborhoodhasitsown uniquechallengesand strengths.Now,decades later,asIwalkthosesame streetsandtalkto residents,Ihearfamiliar
concerns:adesiretobe seen,heard,and representedbysomeone whotrulyunderstands. Representationmeans listeningtoeveryvoice, notjusttheloudest,and notallowingoutside influencestodistractfrom theneedsofthepeople yourepresent.
Formorethan20years, mywife,OneidaOliverSanders,andIhavelived, worked,andraisedour familyhere.Wehavea homeandhadbusinesses, builtalife,andbeen deeplyinvestedinthe futureofthiscity.My rootsherearenotjustin
MyCandidacy
IchosetorunforWaycrossCityCommissioner,District 3,becausetheconcernsofourcommunitydeservetobe heard,respected,andaddressedwithresults.Overthe years,Ihavewatchedtheneedsofthisdistricttoooften ignored,notbecausetheywereunimportant,butbecause welostsomethingvital:therespectandtrustthatonce gaveourvoicesweightincitygovernment.
Mycandidacyisnotaboutwhoholdstheoffice.Thisis aboutsomethingfarmoreimportant:theineffectiveness ofthepositionitselfwhenitisnolongerrootedin teamwork,credibility,andrespect.
Manypeoplebelieveacommissionerholdsthepower. That'snottrue.Therealpowerbelongstothepeople. You. ThepeopleofDistrict3concerns,needs,and prioritiesarewhatcommissionersareelectedtoserve. Thosepowersareentrustedtocommissionerstorepresent andprotecttheinterestsofthepeopleandourneighbors.
memory;theyarepartof mydailylife.
Yes,IamthefatherofSgt. KennedyL.Sanders (“Munchkin”),andIam proudtohonorherservice andsacrifice.Somehave suggestedIshouldnot mentionhername,butI speakofhernotfor sympathy,butoutof gratitudeandrespect.
Thiscommunityshowed immenseloveandhonor formydaughterafterher passing,andthatsame compassioninspiresmeto serveyouwithallthatI have.
IamrunningforCity CommissionbecauseI believeinthiscommunity ThepeopleofWaycross inspiredmetogiveback morethaneverbefore,and asacommissioner,toall ofDistrict3.Iwanttodo sobyworkingeverydayto getresultsthatimprove lives.
Ibelieveelectedofficeis notaboutpower;itisan honorandasacredtrust. Wehaveachanceto restorerespecttoour government,rebuild teamwork,andensurethat District3'svoiceisnever overlookedagain.
$2,600,000.00
GOVERNORKEMPGAVEUS FOROURPARKS
They Didn’t Listen, And Our Children Paying the Price
Foryears,parents, grandparents,and communityleadershave askedforthesamething: realinvestmentsinour childrenages8to18.We askedforyouthcenters, sportsfacilities, amphitheaters,andsafe spacesthatguideourkids towardsuccessandaway fromtrouble.Theseare not“extras.”Theyarethe foundationofprevention, safety,andopportunity.
Butsomecityleadership didnotlisten.They ignoredthevoiceofthe peopleanddismissedwhat familieshavebeen pleadingfor.Then,when thestateprovided$2.6 millioninfunding,they hadararechanceto
finallyactandtoinvestin theprogramsandplaces ourchildrenneedmost. Instead,theylackedthe visionandspentiton short-termprojectslike waterpadsthatdonothing tochangeachild’sfuture.
Nowthosesameofficials aretakingcreditforthe money theydidn’tfight for,moneythatcamefrom thestatewhilerefusingto admittheyignoredthe peopletheywereelected toserve.Theyboastabout spendingfundsbutfailto acknowledgehowthey turnedtheirbacksonthe verysolutionscitizens askedfor.
We,thepeople,have alwaysunderstoodthe
truth:recreationisnot aboutentertainment,it’s aboutprevention.It’s aboutgivingourkidsa pathforwardbefore negativeinfluencesfillthe spacethatopportunity should.It’sabout protectingthelegacyof thiscommunityforthe generationsthatwillcome afterus.
Ourchildrendeserved better.Ourgrandchildren deservedleaderswho wouldlisten.Our communitydeservesa governmentwithvision, onethatputsprevention, opportunity,andpeople beforepoliticsandphoto ops.
HOME TEAMADVANTAGE
Whenwesupportlocal businesses,weinvestinmore thanproductsandservices;we investinourneighbors,our economy,andthefutureofour community.Everydollarspent locallyhelpscreatejobs, strengthensourtaxbase,and supportsessentialservices suchasschools,parks,and publicsafety.Localbusiness ownersareoftenthefirstto supportyouthprograms, sponsorcommunityevents, andlendahandwhenour neighborsareinneed.
Ifelected,Iwanttotakethat supportastepfurther.One ideaistocreatea directoryof businesseswithinDistrict3,a resourcethatconnects residentswiththeservices righthereathomeand showcasesthehardworkof ourlocalbusinessesand entrepreneurs.Ialsowantto
exploreincentivesand recognitionforbusinessesthat havemaintainedactive businesslicensesforfiveyears andeverysubsequentfifth anniversary.Thisisawayto celebratetheirdedication, longevity,andcontinued investmentinourcommunity
Thesearenotpromises;they areideasthatIbelievedeserve yourinputandcollaboration. Mygoalisforeverylocal businesstoknowthattheir citygovernmentisworking forthemtocreatean environmentwheretheyhave everyopportunitytogrow, thrive,andsucceed.
Whenwestandbehindour localbusinesses,we'renotjust supportingcommerce,we're buildingastronger,more resilientWaycross,together
“Never the Wrong Choice”
J E S U S
“Building a Better Waycross”
RethinkingLocalCodestoEncourageGrowth
AcrossDistrict3,andWaycrossresidents,builders,andbusiness ownersarevoicingaclearandconsistentmessage:ourlocalcodesand ordinancesaretoorestrictive.Manysaytheseregulationscreate unnecessarybarriersforhomeownerstryingtomakeimprovements, contractorsseekingtobuild,andinvestorsconsideringnewprojects.As aresult,severaldevelopershaveopenlystatedtheyprefertoinvestin surroundingcommunitieswheretheprocessissimpler,faster,andmore business-friendly
CitizensCallforChange:
ThisfeedbackhighlightsagrowingconcernthatWaycrossmaybe losingvaluableopportunitiesforgrowthandrevitalizationbecauseour ruleshaven'tkeptpacewiththeneedsofthosewhowanttobuildhere. WhatcitizensofDistrict3areaskingforisathoughtfulreviewand updateofthesecodes.Thegoalisnottoabandonsafetyoroversight buttostrikeabetterbalance,onethatprotectsthecharacterand integrityofourneighborhoodswhilemakingiteasiertoimprove homes,launchnewconstruction,andattractinvestment.
Thisistheconversationthecommunityiscallingfor:codesthatwork withus,notagainstus,unlockthepotentialofourcity,andcreatean environmentwhereprogressisn'tstalledbyunnecessaryredtape.
HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR CITY
AsaproudUnitedStates MarineCorpsveteran,I haveoftenbeenthankedfor
myservicetoournation.It isagestureIdeeply appreciate,butitalsomakes
methinkaboutanother groupofpeoplewhose serviceisjustasvitaltoour dailylivesandfartoooften goesunnoticed:the employeesoftheCityof Waycross.
Ourpoliceofficers, firefighters,publicworks crews,sanitationworkers, waterandsewerteams,city managementstaff,and manyothersarethe heartbeatofthiscity They arethereasonourstreetsare safe,ourwaterruns,our
trashiscollected,andour neighborhoodsfunction. Dayinanddayout,inevery condition,theyshowup,not forfameorrecognition,but outofdedicationtotheir employmentand community.
WhenHurricaneHelene broughtdevastationtoour region,theywerethere, evenastheirownfamilies wereaffected.Whenan unprecedentedsnowstorm hitSouthGeorgia,they wereoutinthecold,
ensuringthatessential servicescontinued.Theydo thisnotbecausetheyhave to,butbecauseit'swhothey are:committedpublic servantswhoseworkwe relyon,oftenwithout realizingit.
It'stimeweshowedthem thatweseethemandthat wevaluetheirservice.
COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER
cont. on pg 6
GOVERNMENT MUST WORK FOR THE PEOPLE
Overthelastfouryears, Waycrosshasseena troublingshiftinhowour localgovernmentoperates. Insteadoffocusingon servingthepeople,ithas becomeconsumedby politics,distractions,and division.Acommissioner’s dutyistoprovidedirection, accountability,and resourcessocityemployees, thepeoplewhokeep Waycrossrunning,cando theirjobseffectively.Too often,thathasn’thappened.
Cityworkershavebeen undermined,harassed,and accusedofwrongdoing, whilesomeofficialsuse socialmediatotakecreditfor worktheydidnotdo.Atthe sametime,they’vewithheld thetools,funding,and supportthoseworkersneed. Thishasslowedprogressand leftvitalservicesstruggling.
Oneoftheclearestsignsof declineisinthecity’s legislativework.Ordinances, thelegalbackboneofhowa cityfunctions,havenearly disappeared.In2023,only threeordinanceswerepassed. In2024,justfive.Inprevious years,thetotalswere16,13, 19,and22,whenour commissionersfocusedon solutions,notdivision.As realworkhasdeclined, disrespectanddysfunction insideCityHallhavereached newheightsneverseen before.
"It only takes one negative influence to diminish collective progress.”
Thefailuretopassacity budgetshowshowdangerous thisdysfunctionhasbecome. Abudgetisn’tapolitical bargainingchip,it’sthe foundationofpublicsafety andessentialservices.Police andfiredepartmentsdepend onittohireandretain personnel,maintain equipment,andrespond quicklyinemergencies. Sanitation,water,andpublic workscrewsrelyonitto keepourcitysafeand functional.
OnAugust13,2024,the WaycrossCityCommission failedtopassthe$42.6 millionFY2024-2025 budget,forcingthecityto operateundertheprevious year’sbudgetfarbeyondthe July1deadline.Monthslater, District3voted“no”onthe FY2025-2026budgetas well,continuingapatternof divisionthatjeopardizes publicsafetyandcity
services.Everydelay weakensourcommunityand burdensthepeoplewhoserve it.
Oneofourownneighbors,a dedicatedcityemployeefrom District3,losthisarmwhile performinghisduties.This tragicincidentisapainful reminderofwhathappens whenleadershiplosefocus onitsworkers,underfunds essentialdepartments,and failstoprioritizethepeople whokeepthiscityoperating. It’snotjustaboutpolitics,it’s aboutpeople’slivesand livelihoods.
Thefactsareclear:Waycross doesn’tneedmoreexcuses, distractions,orpolitical games.Weneeda governmentthatrespectsits employees,workstogether, andputspeoplefirst.
This month, we stand together to honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and support those still fighting. Early detection saves lives and regular screenings, self-exams, and awareness can make all the difference. Let’s wear pink, share knowledge, and encourage one another to take charge of our health. Together, we can build a future where no one fights breast cancer alone.
MEET AND GREET ICE CREAM SOCIAL
from pg 4
HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE OUR CITY
ASimpleIdeato MoveWaycrossForward:
WeAppreciateYou
Iwanttoshareanidea,not alaw,notapolicy,andnot acampaignpromise,buta simpleideathatcouldbring ourcommunitytogether andmoveWaycross forward.
Iamaskingthebusinesses andserviceprovidersof District3andhopefully, eventually,theentirecity,to considerofferingsmall gesturesofappreciationto ourcityemployees,much likethediscountsand courtesiesoftenextendedto veteransandmembersofthe military
I'mnotheretodictatewhat thatshouldlooklike.Asa
formerbusinessowner,I knoweverybusinessis different.Itcouldbeafree coffeerefill,adiscounted lunch,asmallsideitem, loyaltypoints,orevenjusta sincere“thankyou.”The gestureitselfmattersless thanthemessageitsends:we appreciateyou,werespect you,andweseethevalueof whatyoudo.
Building a Culture of Respect
Respectisthefoundationof astrongcommunity When wegiveit,weoftenreceive itinreturn.Andwhena city’semployeesfeel respectedandvalued,they carrythatprideintotheir work,whichmeansbetter service,stronger relationships,andacitythat trulythrives.
Thisisnotaninitiativethat requiresavoteorapolitical debate.Itdoesn’tneeda commissionmeetingora
resolution.Allittakesisa shareddecisionbythe peopleofWaycrosstotreat thosewhoserveourcitywith asimilar honorweshow thosewhoserveournation.
Thisishowwebeginto changeourculture,notwith grandspeechesor complicatedpolicies,but withsimpleactsofrespect. Andsometimes,thesimplest ideasaretheonesthatmove usforwardthemost.
I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important, and a lot greater, than popularity.
Julius Erving
YOU ARE INVITE TO JOIN THIS ANNUAL
MORE THAN YEARS RUNNING
“Paid for by Shawn Sanders, Candidate for Waycross City Commission, District 3.”
