City Candidates Speak to Team Jasper Friday

Candidates for the upcoming city election spoke at the Team Jasper meeting Friday morning at the Visitors’ Center. Each candidate had an opportunity to introduce himself or herself and make a few remarks. Then there was a brief time for questions and answers.

The forum was opened by Mayor-elect Bryan Standifer. Because he has no opposition, his election is assured. Mr. Standifer said he has served on Council for 13 years, and decided to run for mayor when he found out current mayor Glenn Newsome would not seek re-election. He said he had worked with two great mayors and councils that did a lot for Monticello. He spoke of the integrity of Mr. Newsome. Mr. Standifer said the council has to make a lot of hard decisions. Council members must love the city and feel strong about service, he said. He looks to his role as one of leadership, bringing the council together and all city government entities together, as well as other governments.

All three candidates for mayor pro tem were present, and Bobby Jacobs was the first to speak.

He said that the current council has made significant strides with infrastructure improvements. He said he is running to move Monticello forward. He said he seeks to get more jobs, reduce utility costs, improve the quality of life, add more parks, promote tourism and seek better communication. He said communication is essential at all levels of government.

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Sage Edwards was the second mayor pro-tem candidate to speak. She said she is a native of Jasper County, and told how her grandmother told her father when she was five years old that she was so headstrong she was bound to “be something.” She said she is interested in promoting tourism, an easy industry to attract. She said she would work for more infrastructure improvements, an affordable cost structure for utilities, and to preserve our small town attributes that make us such a great place.

Martha “Mollie” Pompey said she’s a Jasper County native, born right here at Jasper Memorial Hospital. She said she was educated here, then joined the Air Force. She returned to raise her family. She said she had worked at Monticello City Hall and knew it front to back. She said she is a strong proponent of education, and spoke of her two sons who have graduated from college, and the third one who is currently enrolled. She said she is looking at different ways to balance utility rates. She said the city has not donated to the library in a long time, and she wants the city to help fund it.

She said we need to replace the jobs lost by the closing of Georgia-Pacific. She has a plan to allow some of the historic homes here to be used for commercial use, therefore increasing the tax base. She also said she is an advocate for the children.

After the mayor pro-tem candidates introduced themselves, the candidates for District 1, Post 1, spoke.

Clinton Currie said he had lived in the city for nine years, and recently moved to District 2. He works at NAPA Auto Parts here, and he said he hears a lot of opinions. He said he got into the race because he perceived a lack of interest among those with opinions. He said he wants to try to make things better. Mr. Currie said he has three young children, and he wants to get in here and learn, and do his best to improve.

Larry Thurman said he has lived here 37 years. He said he started with recreation in the community. He encouraged the youth to join the military. Then he talked about having worked for the county for many years with the public works department, and says he doesn’t like seeing those metal plates in the road. He said when he starts a job he believes in finishing it. He said he is supportive of law enforcement, and is concerned about the well-being of the children and elderly in the community. He said initially he did not want to run for office, but after being approached and praying about it, he felt it was the right thing to do.

Cornell Williams, who is unopposed in the race for District 1, Post 2, was not present.

Two people are contending for the position of District 2, Post 1. Current Mayor Pro-tem Russell Gross is seeking the post. He said his good friend Roger Harrison had planned to run for the post, but got a promotion and was unable to. He felt like he could do a good job, so he decided to run. He talked about strides made while he has been in office, such as the electrical system upgrade. He talked about how we have the best hospital and best school, which can attract industry, but we have a water shortage he said. He said the water plant has been revamped, but more water is still needed. He told of the sidewalk project about to begin.

Randy Strozier is also seeking the District 1, Post 2 council seat. He said he had lived here about 12 years, and he has been in the ministry for 32 years. He said he decided to run for council after attending a number of meetings. He said he saw a lot, and it was hard to agree with many decisions. He said the current council is part of the reason his light bill is so high. He said he doesn’t have all the answers, but he’s willing to try hard.

Katherine Alexander, incumbent councilwoman for District 2, Post 2, is seeking re-election. She is being challenged by Demetria Lawrence Phillips.

Mrs. Alexander said she is seeking re-election because she is “not through.” She said she is fiscally conservative, and that the city has had to cut back a lot in the last four years. But, she still wants to work on reducing utility rates and property taxes. Mrs. Alexander said that she is proud to live here in this close-knit community where people “watch your back.” She said she wants Monticello to be strong financially and be able to provide services in an efficient, professional manner.

The last candidate to speak was Ms. Phillips, who pointed out that she was also the youngest candidate. She said she remembered what it was like growing up here, and when she moved back in 2007 not much had changed. She said she’d like to see some new businesses come in. She said she’d like to see a revitalization of the town, and get some grant money to help repair some of the older homes. She expressed concern about needing more activities for the kids. Ms. Phillips works as a speech pathologist in Newton County, and said she could not get enough business here to keep it in the county.