Waycross Mayor Michael-Angelo James said the “evidence is clear,” the city is continuing its ascent.
Dr. James made his optimistic proclamation last week during his annual State of the City address at the C.C. McCray City Auditorium. He covered a host of items in his 45-minute address before a noon gathering of about 175 that included, government officials, civic and business leaders, as well as city workers and citizens.
“The numbers tell the story,” he said Friday, May 15. “The projects speak for themselves. Waycross is a city on the rise.”
The Mayor, in his third term, touched on the accomplishments of each of the city’s departments during the past year and where the city was positioned for the future. He said the city was strong and getting stronger.
“We’re not slowing down. We haven’t arrived. We’re ascending,” he said from the podium on the stage of the facility decked out in a red, white and black.
Attendees entered on a red carpet to see four, lighted numbers enumerating 2026. Similar letters spelling W-A-Y-CR- O-S-S fronted the stage.
Members of the Mayors Youth Council had roles in the program leading to the address. Paula Gomez, the council’s Mayor Pro Tem’, offered the welcome.
Lennox Holder presented the Pledge of Allegiance and Jharyn Bess, Youth Council Mayor, also addressed the group.
Speakers before Mayor James were Ware County Schools Superintendent Dr. Lynn Barber, Okefenokee Swamp Park Executive Director Kim Bednarik and Chief Executive Officer of the Waycross- Ware County Development Authority Jason Rubenbauer.
Barber spoke on the role the educational system plays in the city’s future with its students.
Bednarik detailed the city-county-Okefenokee partnership and how together they advance the region.
Rubenbauer detailed the recent investments in the city and how that will impact the region’s future before introducing Mayor James.
“Nothing happens without right person at the helm of the city,” Rubenbauer said. “He knows how to listen and how to lead.”
The Mayor praised those in City Hall and partners in the community saying, “ I can’t do what I do without quality people around me.”
He acknowledged the five city commission members as well as City Manager Ulysses “Duke” Rayford and each of the directors of city departments along with the accomplishments of the past year.
Among those were:
• Continually falling crime rates for the Waycross Police Department and the distinction of being among only five percent of the agencies in the country with national accreditation;
• A response time by the Waycross Fire Department that averaged just three minutes to nearly 1,700 emergency calls along with a data system upgrade to ensure maximum effectiveness within the department.
“The future of fire safety has never been stronger in the city,” the Mayor said.
• An anticipated reduction in the city’s turnover rate from 30 percent to 17 percent in 2026.
• A new website and app that are more userfriendly than predecessors to enhance engagement with citizens in an number of areas.
• Continued infrastructure updates and road improvements from engineering and public works along with new housing units to the city’s inventory for the first time in 25 years as well as other building renovation and expansion to improve the community.
Mayor James said the growth will continue “as long as we continue to unite and love the city together.”
He referenced a analogy offered by Dr. Martin Luther King with the difference in a thermometer, which tells the temperature and a thermostat, which can change it in calling for the involvement of citizens.
“We can’t settle for commentators ... we must be contributors,” Mayor James said. “Don’t just talk it ... walk it ... work it and live it.
“Love your neighbor enough to call out something wrong and then do something about it.”
