Ask the Candidates: Six contenders running to succeed longtime incumbent in District 6
Six candidates, more than in any other district, are vying for the District 6 seat on the Gadsden City Council.
The district will have a new representative this year, as Johnny Cannon opted not to seek re-election after four terms on the council.
The contenders are Ricky Leath, Benji Mashburn, Dixie Minatra, Phillip Morgan, Josh Partee and Renay Stokes Reeves.
Candidates were asked to submit their short-term goals and long-term objectives should they be elected. Their responses are published as submitted, subject to minor editing.
Ricky Leath
I favor a law that if you’re caught in a neighborhood between the hours of midnight and 4 in the morning and you can show a valid address for that neighborhood, the first offense is a warning, the second is a fine and the third you’re barred from that neighborhood, and anything after that will be jail time, no questions asked. That’s the only way to stop stealing in these neighborhoods.
We’re 25 police officers short, and we have to pay our police department better so they can stop these back packers walking all hours of the night.
The low-head dam at the old pump station, that the city has received federal grants for removal ... remove the middle section that does away with the undertow and creates a wave, and people will come from miles around to kayak. You could then build a small building to rent out tubes for rafting. Let’s start using our waterways to bring in revenue.
I also would like to add a skateboard park with all this city-owned property in Walnut Park, and build back mom and pop stores for the kids instead of them playing in the streets. We need sidewalks on every street for children to stay safe from the traffic, because drivers in Walnut Park and the mill village act like it’s a race track.
Benji Mashburn
Short-Term Goals:
To get our police, fire and public works departments' pay rates up to compete with other cities so we can improve our city services and properly pay those who take care of us on a daily basis.
Long-Term Objectives:
Help improve our recruitment process for industry and economic development as well as see that our city is financially proficient in all areas. Our local leaders must become proactive instead of reactive with all issues.
Dixie Minatra
Short-Term Goals:
First, I want to get to know the concerns of the people in District 6. I would schedule monthly “town halls” to invite our community to meet and discuss issues and ways to answer their concerns. Second, focus on our children and their education and safety. I recently spoke with United Way and they have a program (formally known as Success by 6) called Student Success that has been expanded to include kids from birth to high school graduation (Success by 6 only included ages birth to age 6). This program provides books to children to aid those that are not meeting their reading benchmarks by third grade. As for safety in our schools, I also met with one of our school Resource Officers, and we can work together to improve our relationships and partner to focus on more ways to make our children safe. Third, I believe that we have much to do in our neighborhoods, opportunities for Crime Watch systems, property maintenance and our first responder communication.
Long-Term Objectives:
My long-term goal is to be a trusted advocate and advisor to my district and to my fellow City Council members by making educated and wise decisions for both. I want to recognize priorities, because they are ever changing and work towards resolution within the capabilities of our city’s budget and my role. Some tangible needs within the district are crime control, infrastructure, homelessness and property management. District 6 feels forgotten, and many of my constituents tell me they have felt hopeless over the lack of attention. I want to change the mindset to one of action and do my best to get people involved in decision making. There is a paradigm shift in attitudes when people feel valued and hopeful.
Phillip Morgan
District 6 working together to achieve a common goal as a district.
Prosperity, jobs infrastructure — a place we are all proud to call home.
Support for all city employees to include wages, benefits and working conditions.
Working to ensure maximum support from city services to protect our schools, children, teachers and staff.
I care deeply about everyone in District 6 and want to be the voice of the people.
Josh Partee
Short-Team Goals:
My short-term goals when elected include working with the police dept. to get more patrols in our district. These patrols should be focused on the wandering foot traffic to attempt to eliminate the thefts and other problems we’ve had in the past.
It should also address the homeless issue of people hanging out at service stations and other stores panhandling. This in turn should make the community feel more comfortable shopping at our local stores.
The next thing I will address is the pets in the neighborhood who have either been turned loose or that keep getting out of their owners’ property. People should be able to walk through the neighborhoods without being afraid of getting attacked by aggressive dogs.
On that same subject, get animal control to address the issue of other pets roaming freely without leashes. The leash law covers cats as well as dogs.
Long-Term Objectives:
Long term, I plan on working with the other council members to help change some of the problems which are stopping the city from hiring the type of people who will protect the citizens and make them feel safe and secure, instead of feeling harassed with citations for tag lights.
I will push for better benefits for the police and fire departments, including better insurance and other benefits that have slowly been taken through “negotiations“ with the mayor in the past.
Other long-term goals include sidewalks in the neighborhoods where there are none; road repair; and working on changing some of our city ordinances that hinder and harass the community.
When elected I will understand that one council member can't do many things on their own without the votes of the other members, but it will take one person who will speak up and fight for the needs of our district.
Renay Stokes Reeves
Short-Term Goals:
If elected I would first address the issue of animal control in the community and also work with Public Works on a plan for weekly trash pickup.
Long-Term Objectives:
Work on infrastructure development by paving streets in the community.
Restore our neighborhood parks by making them safe and usable for the community.
Address other concerns that the community has need of.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden District 6 City Council 2022: Meet the candidates in this Q&A
