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| Mayor Jerry Lundy |
The
race for Mount Vernon mayor will be headed for a rematch between the current
Mayor Jerry Lundy, former councilman James Adams and Businessman Leophus Lyde.
Councilwoman Verdell Trotter Dees is giving her seat up to be the only and
first woman to run for mayor.
This
election will determine the future of a small city in North Mobile County. Many
promises has been made in the past, now that the Town is a center for growth,
who will lead this town forward?
Four
years ago Jerry Lundy held off James Adams in a close runoff election. Leophus
Lyde came in with a distance third place finish. Verdell Trotter Dees was just
entering the political scene and won a race for City Council in District 5.
Well
four years later, the same four believes that they can do a better job. Mayor
Jerry Lundy will have to work hard to be re-elected this around. Many citizens
in this small town are upset with promises that has been made and not yet
delivered upon, such as the town’s first public sewer system. Funding for this
project has been approved and plans for construction was set to start on the
project early this summer, but there is no sign in town of construction. This
project is a major development for a town such as Mount Vernon with the new
billion dollar ThyssenKrupp Steel USA plant.
A
new sewer system along Hwy 43 will spur the economic and business development
in the City. Mount Vernon has seen its share of development under Mayor Lundy, such
as the new McDonald’s 24 hour restaurant in the Calvert area. But Mount Vernon
will face a decline in jobs with the proposed closing of Searcy Hospital.
Mayor
Jerry Lundy believes he is the man for the job and will continue to work to build
Mount Vernon and he will tout his accomplishments of the new McDonalds and a new
Public Library.
Former
councilman James Adams has already hit the campaign trail, reminding voters of
a close election it was four years ago. There is no doubt that Mr. Adams
believes if elected he can move the City forward. One of his strongest messages
is more businesses.
Businessman
Leophus Lyde also is campaign hard. He has began to mail our flyers to voters
touting his record as a businessman and his involvement in helping communities
progress. Lyde says is has proven leadership and that he will make the citizens
of Mount Vernon proud.
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| Councilwoman Verdell Trotter-Dees |
Councilwoman
Verdell Trotter Dees, first elected to the council in 2008, she won a three
person race without a runoff. Verdell Dees is the wife of businessman Walter
Dees, which owns a auto body shop in the Shepard Lake Community.
You
better believe that Mrs. Dees will showcase her accomplishments in locating the
new senior citizen center in her district, also the public library which sits
across from her local church. Councilwoman Dees has only served one term on the
city council. She will make a run for mayor hoping to become the town first
woman mayor.
Jerry
Lundy is the lone white candidate and incumbent, after winning the election when
former mayor Cleon Bolden decided he was not running again. Bolden became the
first black mayor and served 20 years in Mount Vernon government. Will the
residents make this race about race, or will it be about the issues?
Note:
Mr. Adams and Mr. Lyde photos was not available when published.
This
election is another one of my close watched races. Stay right here with me the
Political
Beacon as I continue to bring you more informed information.
Beacon as I continue to bring you more informed information.
