CAIRO, Ga. (WTXL) - Imagine going into work and not having a place to perform you duties, that's the struggle for Cairo Mayor Booker Gainor.
Most jobs need specific tools to be performed correctly and efficiently. For Gainor, having an office space to conduct city business in would be beneficial.
"The obstacles I face without having an office is just on a professional level," said Gainor. "If you're going to any city and you're a business owner, or even a citizen and you're able to come and speak and talk to the mayor and get an opinion if you want to invest in Cairo."
Gainor says it's not like the city is lacking office space. In fact, there is an empty office and an unused desk sitting above City Hall. Gainor has asked the City Manager for permission to use the space, but he was told he needed to speak to city council members.
The City Manager was unable to speak on camera for this report, but he did tell me the mayor needs to get the council's approval.
"I went to each of the councilmen in a transparent way, just as everything I'm doing is transparent. They're aware of everything I'm doing, but even though they're saying 'no,' to just force myself in," said Gainor. "I don't want to come off that way. I want it to be an agreed upon decision."
The approval from the city council may be harder to come by since previous mayors have not needed offices.
"The fact of the matter is none of them have been my age. Of course, I am the youngest," said Gainor. "On top of that, most of them have been business owners who have conducted business from their own business. I don't have that luxury."
Gainor feels it would be much easier and more professional to have a designated place where he can conduct city business.
