ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - If you ask any neighbor who lives in Albany Ward 6 what the biggest issue in the area is, they’ll tell you this:

“Oh God. Its houses shut down. Nobody in them. I mean, development needs to come up,” said Wilson McCray, a Ward 6 resident.

As Ward 6 candidates Samuel Gaines and Diana Brown prepare for the runoff election on April 15, they say they have plans to bring economic development growth--something they say hasn’t happened in the last 30 years.

“We are so behind because of a lack of knowledge, mindset, and how we move it? We ourselves running for politics have to be held accountable,” Brown said.

Gaines said he plans to use economic development to improve an ongoing housing issue in the area.

“Albany State has a graduation every year. These people graduate and leave. If we put economic development, develop their credit, and offer them a house if they stay in Albany, Georgia, we’ve got to do the plans,” he said.

Both candidates say each issue presents an opportunity to improve the Ward 6 area, which many people call home.

“It’s only right I give back to the city that gave back to me,” Gaines said.

For Brown, running for the seat is her way of taking action.

“We have to do what’s right. We know we can’t get everything done, but we need to work together to get some things done,” she said.

The Ward 6 special election is scheduled for April 15, but early voting starts April 7 and ends April 11.

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