Another candidate joins Decatur alderman race

By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 5, 2003
DECATUR Add a third candidate to the list of people seeking the vacant Ward 1 alderman position here.
Robert Burton represented Ward 2 on the board of aldermen from 1997 until he resigned in 1999 because he moved to Ward 1. Burton said he wants to serve on the board again to help shape the city's future.
Burton joins Mikel Denson, 40, a telecommunications sales representative, and Bobby Stevens, 54, a contractor and dirt hauler, in the Feb. 18 special election contest. The qualifying deadline is 5 p.m. Friday.
Burton, 45, originally from Newton, works there as a Medicaid specialist with the regional office of the state Division of Medicaid. He is also a brother of state Sen. Terry Burton, R-Newton.
Robert Burton said he made Decatur his home after falling in love with the city while he was a student at East Mississippi Community College.
Ward 1 includes an area east of Highway 15. Alderman Mike Miller served in the position for about two years until he resigned last month because he moved out of the city limits.
The Ward 2 position also became vacant last month when Alderman Chris Spears resigned for the same reason.
No one has filed to run in Ward 2, comprised of part of the west side of Decatur. If no one qualifies as a candidate, then Decatur's three current aldermen will select a replacement.