I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election as Mayor of the City of Guntersville. I am blessed to have been a part of this community for my entire life, and I want to continue to give back, as a public servant, to the community that means so much to me and my family. A lot has been accomplished in the Lake City over the past few years, but there’s more to be done. I am excited about the opportunity to keep the great team we have at the City working together to keep moving things ahead.
It may sound like a cliché, but Guntersville truly is a great place to live, work and play. But that doesn’t just happen. It takes good management, financial and otherwise, and it takes a vision based on solid planning and community support. As Mayor, I want to do what is best for our wonderful City and make sure that we maintain our excellent quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Geographically, Guntersville is uniquely situated, a prime locale for positive growth that we are already benefitting from. But the potential is even greater, and the over the past 8 years much groundwork has been done to leverage that potential. I want to continue that progress and promote quality economic development, including a special focus on the tourism and recreation industry.
Our City has many opportunities that I am proud to say are turning into concrete accomplishments on a daily basis. I am also proud of the role positive leadership has played in that success. From working well with the City Council, to creating a sense of ownership and teamwork among our excellent City staff, the evidence of positive, effective leadership is a track record I am proud of.
One thing I work toward as Mayor is ensure we do everything possible to protect and optimize our natural resources and provide a sustainable future for Guntersville. Part of that includes the fundamentals of infrastructure and upkeep, and part of that is developing and enhancing our resources to support quality growth. Under my administration the City has successfully pursued all of those things.
From paving almost 40 miles of city streets the last four years, to attracting major retailers, to the City Harbor development project, to a major 3-phase expansion of our park areas, Guntersville is on a roll. Besides looking forward to seeing the completion of the harbor and park projects, I am also excited about major improvements including the addition of Fire Station #3 and a new recycling center.
Education is a critical component of Guntersville’s quality of life, and as Mayor I am proud of the way the City and School Board have worked together on the planning and construction of a new high school. A new high school is something we must do right, and it has been rewarding to see our community work together toward the goal of what is best for our students and our city. I look forward to continuing that positive process.
Since I am a CPA, it is perhaps not surprising that strong financial management has been a hallmark of Guntersville over the past 8 years. But like everything, good financial management takes commitment and professionalism, and as Mayor I am especially proud that our audits are clean, our budgets and solid, and Guntersville is on a sound financial footing that many cities admire. As Mayor for another 4 years, I will continue to be a good steward of the citizens’ money and manage revenues to maintain Guntersville’s excellent financial position.
I have often spoken about teamwork, and I can truly say my success as Mayor is a tribute to the great team of employees and volunteers that lead our community. I will continue to work closely with the department heads, employees and boards to ensure the needs of the city and citizens are met. I will continue to be accessible, and I am always willing to listen to everyone in the community. A good idea can come from anyone, and a suggestion or even a respectful complaint can lead to seeing something in a different light for the betterment of Guntersville. Working together is the heart of my commitment to doing what is in the best interest of Guntersville.
I have been overwhelmed by the support shown to me during my two terms as Mayor, and I truly appreciate all of the encouragement! It has been and will continue to be my honor and privilege to serve as YOUR Mayor, and I humbly and respectfully ask for your vote and support for four more years of progress for Alabama’s Lake City.