Waycross Mayor Michael-Angelo James will deliver a State of the City address at noon Friday at the C.C. McCray City Auditorium, 865 Pendleton Street. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with the program beginning promptly at noon. Dr. James, who’s in his first term as Mayor, has delivered previous State of the City addresses virtually via the city’s public access channel and internet outlets. He was elected in 2019 and took office in January, 2020, shortly before the coronavirus pandemic hit. The address comes a week before the City Commission holds is annual planning retreat at City Hall. The session normally is held in February, but delayed this year with the hiring of Ulysses Rayford as City Manager, who officially started the job in March. James, a longtime minister, educator and author announced last month he will seek a second term in November’s election. The seats of commissioner’s Diane Hopkins in District 4 and Henry Strickland in District 5 also are expiring this year.
