Mays, Cooper win in landslides
By Staff
Scot Beard
PHIL CAMPBELL – The voters of Phil Campbell spoke Tuesday and they are happy with the city's leadership.
Only two openings – mayor and a city council spot – were opposed in Tuesday's elections, and the incumbents won in landslides.
Mayor Jerry Mays received 81 of 89 votes and Dewey Cooper was reelected with 63 of 87 votes.
"Everybody has worked real well the last four years," Mays said. "I've been pleased with it."
During the last four years, city leadership secured about $350,000 worth of upgrades to the fire department and Mays is hoping those improvements will lead to a new ISO rating, which would lower insurance premiums for Phil Campbell residents.
Cooper, who has served on the council for 30 years, said he is happy with all the projects that have been started and he wanted to serve another term to see them completed. He said his biggest priority in his new term is to secure funds for future projects.
"(I will try to get) all the money that is free," Cooper said.
"Our tax base is not what it was. We have lost industry and business."
One of the major projects the mayor and council want to see completed is the industrial complex in the Spruce Pine area.
Danny Brown and Jim Cartee were the two incumbents on the city council that were unopposed in Tuesday's election.
"I would like to see the property for the industrial park finished or get some businesses move in," said Brown who has served on the council for 16 years.
"I also want to make the city as safe as possible for the residents."
The city has also been working on building a new baseball field. The project is underway, but after it is completed, city leaders want to build three other fields to complement it and give the residents an up to date sportsplex.
Cartee said he was happy the voters decided to return Mays and Cooper to office because this group of leaders has been able to work cooperatively to better the city.
"I'm happy with the results, I just wish more voters had turned out," Cartee said. "We've got a good bunch of folks now. It seems more civil than in the past and I think that will continue."
