Mayor says 2009 election pivotal

Voter turnout in city elections has never been anything to brag about, hovering around 25 to 30 percent, but getting out the vote could be monumental in this summer’s city elections, when residents could see a shift in power.

Seats up for re-election in the July 14 municipal elections include the mayor’s seat and commission seats in Districts 1, 3 and 5. Pat Thomas is not seeking a second term as mayor; the three incumbent commissioners have all announced their intent to seek re-election.

The politicians currently occupying those seats have tended to vote as a block. The outcome of the election could bring about some reversals in a plethora of city policies. It could also kill some projects and bring others forward, as the majority vote could switch from 4-3 to 3-4 or more.

Thomas has been making the civic club speaking circuit to encourage more involvement. He said the low number of people motivated to vote is disappointing.

“This election is absolutely critical. The future of Dothan is in the hands of the voters,” he said. “I would hope people would see this as important enough to come vote.

“These are two different ideologies on the line. After you get past the rhetoric, and there is plenty – the real question is, ‘In Dothan, are we going to continue to be the progressive government we have been or are we going to be the government of the 1980s?’ I honestly see it that dire a question.”

Some residents have said Thomas’ definition of progressive is “spend.” The mayor defends his choices.

“We spent money on things like water needs and resurfacing. Very small amounts are going to places that can’t physically be seen and that don’t directly make citizens’ lives better,” he said. “The goal of my administration has been better jobs. How do you do that? You build a better quality of life and create an atmosphere where business can thrive.”

Thomas points to 26 new businesses downtown as tangible proof of some achievement. “What we have done has resulted in a continued influx of retail like Dothan has never seen before. I wish for more manufacturing jobs, sure – just like every mayor in the United States.”

City Clerk Pam McCoy said there are 40,314 registered voters in the city.

Qualifying for office opens Tuesday, May 19 and closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. Thus far, McCoy said 12 individuals have picked up papers to file for office. This includes two candidates in the mayor’s race; five in District 1; two in District 3; and three in District 5.

They are not considered candidates until the papers are filed with McCoy’s office. However, the following have publicly announced their intent to run for office: Mayor – Mike Schmitz and Keith Seagle; District 1 – Larry Matthews and James Reading; District 3 – Paul Lee and Kenneth Everett; District 5 – Taylor Barbaree, David Cornelius and Paul Ferrell.

One of the mayoral candidates is a sitting commissioner not up for re-election. If that commissioner wins, the commission would appoint someone temporarily to his commission post, and call for an election within 60 days.

The deadline to register to vote is July 3. Registration is held at the Board of Registrars in the Houston County Administration Building, 444 N. Oates St. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters may vote absentee until July 9.