Two candidates file for Decatur alderman post
By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 3, 2003
DECATUR Two men are competing for an opening on Decatur's Board of Aldermen in a Feb. 18 special election.
Mikel Denson and Bobby Stevens are seeking to replace Ward 1 Alderman Mike Miller, who resigned last month because he moved outside the city limits. Denson, 40, said he decided to seek the position because of his family ties to Decatur.
He also cited Decatur's and Newton County's commitment to public education.
Denson is a former tight end for the Mississippi College Choctaws. He is currently working as a sales manager in Meridian for Southern Linc, a telecommunications subsidiary of Mississippi Power Co.
Stevens, 54, said he jumped at the chance to run after finding out that the Ward 1 position was open.
Stevens is in the contracting and dirt hauling business. Prior to that, he had been in the trucking business for several years.
Stevens said he believes his experiences in business and dealing with the public qualify him to serve on the board of aldermen.
Ward 1 is comprised of an area east of Highway 15. It had been represented for about two years by Miller, who works at Newton Regional Hospital.
The Ward 2 position also became vacant last month when Alderman Chris Spears resigned because he, like Miller, moved out of the city limits. Spears works at Sunbelt Motors in Meridian.
No one has announced intentions to campaign in Ward 2, comprised of part of the west side of Decatur.
City Clerk Jinya Lea Clarke said if no one qualifies as a candidate in that ward, then it will be up to Decatur's three current aldermen to choose a replacement.
Friday is the qualifying deadline to enter both the Ward 1 and Ward 2 contests.
A candidate must have the signatures of at least 15 registered voters in the ward and also must be a resident of that ward. In a special election, candidates do not run based on political party affiliations.
Whoever wins the right to serve in Wards 1 and 2 will join Mayor David Griffin, Ward 3 Alderman Eleanor Russell, Ward 4 Alderman Leon Eatmon and Ward 5 Alderman Gus Vallas in running city government.
Decatur's population is 1,426 and each alderman is paid $225 a month.
