Strickland takes council seat after Trulove’s withdrawal

RED BAY — Jonathan Strickland has been declared the next Place 3 memberof theRedBayCity Council after incumbent Herbert Trulove withdrew from the Sept. 23 runoff election.

Trulove ended his candidacy Sept. 2, making Strickland duly elected by default. His term will begin on Nov. 3.

Trulove served four years under Billy Bolton’s administration.

Two efforts were made to contact Trulove for comment, but both times he hung up the telephone.

At 26, Strickland will be the youngest member on the council. He said his focus is on listening to residents and tackling long-standing issues.

“Making sure the community’s needs and wants are heard,” he said of his top priority.

He added he hopes to encourage growth in other ways.

“I would love to see more small businesses make their home in Red Bay.

“I think Red Bay has a lot of untapped potential and we need to encourage it to grow in the right direction.”

Strickland plans to begin attending council meetings before his term starts.

“I plan on going to this next council meeting and just continuing to talk to thosewhoareonthecouncil and learn as much as I can from them,” he said.

He noted he already has some connections with the council.

“Jason Vinson was actually my boss at one point, so I already know him.”

He pointed to potholes and drainage problems as major concerns.

“The potholes on our roads are just awful … trying to fill them in and make sure our city is drivable and comfortable,” Strickland said.

“We also have some roads that are washing away, and that’s a safety hazard. I think they’re starting to address it, but it’s something that will still need attention.”

Strickland said he wants to secure better equipment for the city’s volunteer firefighters.

“These guys help our community in a big way and deserve better equipment and appreciation,” he said.

During his campaign, he said many residents told him they felt city money wasn’t being directed toward the right priorities.

“A repeated theme I have heard is that the people don’t feel anything is getting done and that money isn’t going towards things that matter,” he said.

He emphasized that many residents said they were hoping for a different future.

“Red Bay wants something to look forward to and be heard. They want change for the better.” Strickland voiced support for Mayor-elect Mike Shewbart, who will begin his new role this fall.

“I think Mayor-elect Mike Shewbart will be a great fit and asset to the existing council,” Stricklandsaid.“Together we will continue to seek new industry and small business opportunities for the City of Red Bay.”

Strickland moved to Red Bay at age 14 to live with his grandparents, Johnny and Martha Cleveland.

His grandfather, Johnny Cleveland, served on the council for 12 years.

“My grandfather is excited and proud,” Strickland said. “I got more votes than an incumbent, and it took a lot of door knocking to get to where I’m at.”

Strickland graduated from Tremont Attendance Center and earned an associate degree in electrical technology from Itawamba Community College.

He worked for four years as an industrial maintenance technician for Sunshine Mills.

After that, he began to do residential electrical work.

He attends Grace Community Fellowship Church in Golden, Mississippi.

“When the opportunity of running for city councilman presented itself, I decided to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps in becoming a servant of the community,” Strickland said.

He said the chance to serve is deeply personal.

“I have a love for serving and helping my fellow man. It’s a Godgiven passion and I am determined to follow through.”