MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. (WGXA) — Election season is quickly approaching, and Milledgeville voters recently had the chance to hear directly from candidates running for city council and mayor during a forum held at Georgia College and State University.

The event allowed citizens to meet candidates face-to-face and submit questions through a moderator. Among the key issues discussed were public safety, communication between the city and county, and Milledgeville’s long-standing water system problems.

Resident Nathalie Boelen said she is frustrated with how the issue has been handled.

“The biggest thing is our water infrastructure. I just feel like the new candidate for mayor is talking about the change that’s going to happen versus what should’ve already happened eight years ago,” she said.

Current Mayor Mary Parham-Copelan defended her administration’s work. “We invested fifty-five million dollars into funding to make sure we run the water lines and to work on our water sewer system,” Copelan said.

Mayoral candidate Walter Reynolds acknowledged progress has been made but said more work is still needed. “I will acknowledge that yes, we have done some work to begin making progress toward correcting those issues.”

Public safety was also a major concern raised during the forum. Boelen argued that law enforcement officers need better pay to prevent them from leaving for higher-paying jobs elsewhere.

Reynolds noted that both police and fire departments recently received raises and new technology upgrades. Copelan added that the city has invested in drones, a K-9 unit that includes their dog Diesel, and said shootings have been cut in half over the past decade.

Still, Reynolds warned that losing experienced officers remains a danger. “The issue with losing law enforcement officers and firefighters who are trained and know this community is that it creates a danger for the people that they serve.”

Copelan countered by stressing the importance of community policing. “My father worked in this very police department, so I understand what it means to have community police officers out there. The more visibility you have, the more your crime level will go down.”

One citizen in attendance, who lives outside city limits and can’t vote in the race, still shared his perspective. “The mayor is a hands-on person. You can go talk to her.

Early voting in Milledgeville begins October 14 and runs through October 31. Election Day is November