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In The Running

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WHEN

WHO

- Anthony Montalto

► Office/place you are seeking: Mayor of Trussville

► Main campaign issues: As mayor of Trussville, I would focus on three sustainability measures:

Create and execute a strategic plan for the city, including a detailed vision for economic development.

Work with the leaders of the Trussville City School System to ensure high education standards are maintained in a safe, nurturing environment.

► Political experience: City Council member for two terms, current council president.

► Contact: Website: montaltoformayor.com. Facebook: facebook.com/anthonymontaltofor-

trussvillemayor/. Twitter: @montalto4mayor.

-Buddy Choat

► Office/place you are seeking: Mayor of Trussville

► Why are you running? My decision to run for mayor of Trussville is based on a number of things, but none more important than to serve the residents of the community I love. Our community is one of the most desired in the state. I have a vision for Trussville that will continue to make our city a place we can all call home with great pride.

► Main campaign issues: My top priority is to keep our city financially sound and keep our community safe. My plan is simple — preserve the history of Trussville and its beauty, protect the family value and community spirit and plan for the future with the right economic growth, including our downtown area.

► Political experience: Member of the Trussville City Council since 2008. Held the position of council president from 2013-2014.

► Contact: Website: votechoat.com. Facebook: facebook.com/votechoat. Twitter handle: @votechoat. Instagram: votechoat.

Eugene Melton

► Office/place you are seeking: Mayor of Trussville

► Why are you running? To finish what we started. The vision I had from the very beginning hasn’t changed. For now and in the future, it is to make Trussville the best place in Alabama to live and raise a family.

► Main campaign issues: I expect to keep the city going in the direction it’s going today and to maintain that high quality of life and make it even better. That includes strengthening our schools and the police and fire departments, continuing with the master plan for downtown, relieving our local traffic congestion and promoting controlled and responsible growth in the city.

► Political experience: Has served as the mayor of Trussville for 20 years.

► Contact: Facebook: facebook.com/MeltonforMayor.

Perry Cook

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 1

► Why are you running? I believe in Trussville, and I want to continue the momentum of attracting new businesses to our area to improve our tax base and availability of jobs.  Also, I want to see our new elementary schools completed and continue our high standard of education.  Finally, I want to aid and support the Downtown Redevelopment Authority in its efforts to move forward in its plans for completing the historical downtown area of Trussville.

► Main campaign issues: I will help to alleviate traffic congestion on North Chalkville Mountain Road by creating an alternate road to the Pinnacle Shopping Center. I will push for completion of Civitan Park. I want to enhance police and fire protection for our community as our tax base increases.

► Political experience: I have served on the Planning and Zoning Board and the Downtown Redevelopment Authority. I am currently completing my first term on the Trussville City Council.

► Contact: Facebook: facebook.com/ElectPerryCook.

Alan Taylor

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 2

► Why are you running? I love the city of Trussville, and I care about the direction it goes. This past term, we worked hard on building two new schools and the downtown redevelopment efforts. I don’t think that work is done. I want to continue that.

► Main campaign issues: We hear so many people say they chose to move to Trussville because of the schools. We have an outstanding school administration, and as a councilman, I want to continue that. I think the redevelopment of our downtown could also attract so many more young families. We want our families to stay here and dine and shop here. So, the enhancement of downtown is what I want to continue working on.

► Political experience: Seeking second term.

► Contact: Facebook: facebook.com/alan.taylor.735.

John Payne

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 2

► Why are you running? I’m not an “I” person; I’m a “We” person. I’ve been fortunate to grow up in Trussville and raise my children in Trussville.  During that time, I’ve seen the city experience tremendous growth, and Trussville must rise to the challenge of that growth, while maintaining the hometown feel that made me build my life here and made Trussville one of the top communities in Alabama and the country.

► Main campaign issues:

Improving Trussville City Schools

Sound city budget

Maintain and repair infrastructure

Look into additional conveniences for residents, such as a place to purchase and renew car tags

Care for city parks and facilities

Support police and fire department

► Political experience: None, but Payne has worked with local and state government through his former job in Alabama Power’s marketing and governmental relations area.

► Contact: None.

Tommy Brewer

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 3

► Why are you running?

Basing my knowledge off my previous years on the city council, speaking with people I have served with in the past and respect now, I felt there was a need for an lifetime Trussville native to be back on the council, to maintain a sound budget to continue improvements in a conservative way to expand and meet the needs of the public without losing the hometown feel that drew everyone here in the first place with good schools, programs and business opportunities.

► Main campaign issues:

I've lived in Trussville my entire life and with my park and recreations background I want to continue to improve the recreation program to aid the city school programs. I’ve seen the steps the city has taken to grow. What we need is controlled expansion. The traffic in the city is bad already, we don’t need rampant growth and to go out and build a million new houses. We need to get the roads under control and traffic under control. That’s the biggest issue for me. With my past working on the parks and recreation board, that is also important to me.

► Political experience: Served on City Council 1976-80; served on Parks and Recreation board prior to that.

► Contact: Facebook: facebook.com/VoteTommyBrewer/?fref=nf

Paul Anthony Irwin

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 3

► Why are you running? I am running to serve, give back to the community and bring about positive change in our political system.

► Main campaign issues: I am running on the acquisition of body cameras for our police officers, the finishing of projects such as the Veterans Memorial, which is surrounded by fencing and dead trees and the redevelopment of our downtown areas.

► Political experience: This is my first run for public office.

► Contact: Website: IrwinforCityCouncil.com. Facebook: Irwin for Trussvile City Council.

 Jef Freeman

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 3

► Why are you running? I’ve seen the council and administration in action. I feel like I can be more helpful as a councilman, than the head of the RDA (Downtown Redevelopment Authority).

The scope gets bigger. Right now, my focus is downtown, and I think that’s a vital thing, but I would like to be influential all over Trussville.

I just think I can be a servant to the citizens by helping. I really think what I’ve learned in life and professionally can help make Trussville a better place.

► Main campaign issues:

Downtown redevelopment — fast-track this

project to make downtown Trussville a shopping and dining destination.

Finishing projects that have been ongoing for too long, such as the greenway project, Pinnacle Shopping Center’s Valley Road access and relocation of the city work facility.

More transparency in official city business.

Improving roads

Attracting new businesses and jobs

Careful growth plans for the city

Financial soundness for Trussville

Support for schools and public safety

► Political experience: Not elected, but has been part of the Downtown Redevelopment Authority for Trussville and served in other appointed positions in Jefferson County.

► Contact: Website: Freemanforcouncil.com; Facebook: facebook.com/JefFreemanforCouncil.

Brian Plant

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 4

► Why are you running? It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Trussville as one of their councilmen. Since becoming a councilman in 2000, I have focused on financial responsibility and accountability. We have had a city financial audit each year I have been on the Council. Every audit has shown the city is properly handling its finances. I have been and will continue to be watchful over our finances so we can continue to enjoy the services our city provides.

► Main campaign issues: Public safety is the primary duty of government. It does no good for a city to attempt to provide services to its citizens if people have to live in fear of their safety. Keeping Trussville safe is a top concern I have had since becoming a Councilman. In the 16 years I have served on the Council, we have expanded both our Police and Fire Departments in terms of additional equipment for those departments and additional personnel. The majority of crime in Trussville is committed by people from outside our community. Making sure that we support our Police Department is essential to preserving our quality of life in Trussville. We also have a well-trained and equipped Fire Department.

One of the largest undertakings in the city’s history occurred when we established the Trussville City School system during my first term on the Council.  Taking over the schools would not have been possible without the extraordinary level of financial planning by the Mayor and Council. We have to continue to support Trussville City Schools.

We also have to be committed to supporting the teachers and support staff who have dedicated their lives to our children. Our teachers love this community very much and I think treating them well is not only the right thing to do but it is in the best interest of all of Trussville.

► Political experience: Served as a City Councilman since 2000.

► Contact: None

Martha Franklin- Driggers

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 5

► Why are you running? My No. 1 priority as a member of your City Council is to be the best representative of the people I can be. I believe your ideas, your efforts, your thoughts and opinions are the most important element to running a successful and prosperous City and working together I believe we can obtain that goal.

As the only female on the City Council I believe I can offer different points of view and bring fresh ideas to the council. I am a detail oriented person and because of my legal background and I have learned to research issues from every angle and I never leave a project undone.

► Main campaign issues: I want to preserve and improve our community, our neighborhoods and our quality of life. I want to focus on the redevelopment of downtown Trussville and find ways of building confidence with property owners so they will be excited about the redevelopment of the downtown area. I will promote and seek new businesses to help develop the growth of the downtown area. I also want to insure that the redevelopment of downtown will be carefully managed and compatible with sustainable building practices and the wishes of the community. I will focus on programs and developments to keep families in Trussville and programs that empower the seniors in our community.

► Political experience: None.

► Contact: Marthadriggers.com; Facebook:

facebook.com/MarthaFranklinDriggersTrussvilleCityCouncil/?fref=ts

Dr. Zack Steele

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 5

► Why are you running? I really never had any thought of public office, but when a couple of folks came to me and encouraged me to run, I decided that maybe I could make a difference.

► Main campaign issues:

Downtown renovation/revitalization

Fiscal responsibility

Making our school system the best in the state

Supporting our police and first responders

► Political experience: Legislative director for the Alabama Optometric Association. First time running for an elective office.

► Contact: Website: drzforcouncil.com. Facebook: facebook.com/drzforcouncil.

David R. (Dave) Blount

► Office/place you are seeking: Trussville City Council, Place 5

► Why are you running? I am running because I believe we should serve one another, and I was looking for a way to serve my community and neighbors. My skill set, background in business and my current law practice uniquely qualify me to perform the legislative duties of a City Council member.

► Main campaign issues: There are many unfinished city projects that need to be finished. We must plan and fund future projects in stages so that citizens can enjoy completed portions instead of waiting years for large projects to complete. We must utilize technology to make our government more accessible and transparent. We must upgrade and modernize some facilities and services that have served us well through the years but are becoming aged. We must execute on strategic plans for growth and traffic to lessen problems associated with both. We must be fiscally responsible so we can afford to do the things our citizens demand without raising the tax burden on individuals. We must continue to support our school board and schools to keep them ranked highly in the state so we continue to attract residents and businesses. We must do all of that while protecting and enhancing the unique historic charm of our city.  

► Political experience: I have never sought public office before this election.

► Contact: Website: http://votefordave.zohosites.com/; Facebook: @VoteForDavePL.5; Twitter: @Vote_Dave_PL5; Instagram: elect_dave_pl5

HOW

Register to vote

Register to vote in the 2016 municipal elections by Aug. 8. Voters must be at least 18 years old, Alabama residents and U.S. citizens in order to register, and they cannot have been convicted of a felony or legally declared mentally incompetent.

Registration locations

► Trussville Public Library, 201 Parkway Drive.

► Clay Library, 7257 Old Springfield Road

► Pinson Library, 4410 Main St.

► Jefferson County Courthouse, 716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. N., Suite A-410

► Download a mail-in form at Alabamavotes.gov and mail the completed form to the Jefferson County Board of Registrars.

► A full list of registration locations throughout Jefferson County can be found at the Board of Registrars website, jeffcoonline.jccal.org.

At the polls

Photo identification is required in order to vote. The following forms of ID are considered valid:

► Current Alabama driver’s license

► Current Alabama nondriver ID

► Current Alabama photo voter ID card

► Current state issued ID (Alabama or any other state)

► Current federal issued ID

► Current U.S. passport

► Current employee ID from federal government, state of Alabama, county, municipality, board or other entity of this state

► Current student or employee ID from a public or private college or university in the state of Alabama (including post graduate technical or professional schools)

► Current student or employee ID issued by a state institution of higher learning in any other state

► Current military ID

► Current tribal ID

If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can apply for a free voter ID card through the Jefferson County Board of Registrars. You must be registered to vote and have a photo ID document, or a non-photo identity document that includes your legal name and date of birth, to qualify for a voter ID. Call 325-5550 to learn more.

Find your polling place and other voting information at myinfo.alabamavotes.gov.

POLLING LOCATIONS

► Precinct 4020 – Trussville First Baptist Church, 128 Chalkville Road North

► Precinct 4040 – Trussville City Hall, 131 Main St.

► Precinct 4080 – North Park Baptist Church, 5700 Deerfoot Parkway

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