Mayor of Demopolis Poll

[dave]

Vote for your person then discuss here.

[dave]

My vote as of now is going to Ben Sherrod. His views are on par with mine on the city and where it needs to go.

[stickman]

Since I don't live in Demopolis City Limits anymore, I can't vote in the Mayor's race. However, if I were a resident, I would probably vote for Ben Sherrod. I know Ben Sherrod and think he would make a good Mayor.

[Real Deal]

Let's give Sherrod a chance. he obviously wants the job and may be the only person who can give it 40+ hours per week. Grayson has too many irons in the fire and Gutshall cant chew gum and walk at the same time. I don't know much about Williamson but she seems very liberal to me.

[papaed]

Dave I fear that Ben Sherrod will not qualify for the mayors race. He no longer lives in the city limits. He does however live in the police jurisdiction. There are rumblings comming down the pipe of others who plan to run for mayor.

[Jeff]

Care to let us in??

Although I think my buddy will laugh at me...I am kinda agreein' with Dave on this one. After reading his ideas in the BG, I am feeling like he may do ok. The question remains, will he, or any of them, do what they say they will do??

[Bug]

This is off topic, but there are alot of folks on here reading the Blackbelt Gazette who were bashing it badly a few months ago...what gives now? I think I live in the only neighborhood in Marengo County where the pink paper was not being thrown in my yard! And Jeff, I am not saying you were one of the ones bashing them....Honestly I don't remember who all it was I just thought I'd mention this since I saw them, BG, mentioned again.

[dave]

Originally posted by Bug
This is off topic, but there are alot of folks on here reading the Blackbelt Gazette who were bashing it badly a few months ago...what gives now? I think I live in the only neighborhood in Marengo County where the pink paper was not being thrown in my yard! And Jeff, I am not saying you were one of the ones bashing them....Honestly I don't remember who all it was I just thought I'd mention this since I saw them, BG, mentioned again.

You are correct--this is off topic.

[demopolite]

Does anyone remember how close the previous races between Sherrod and Caldwell were?

I can't vote in the mayoral election, but I will be watching the result closely to see what direction Demopolis is headed in.

[papaed]

Sherrod got a little over 500 votes.
Caldwell won with a land slide.

[bamaraised]

I talked with Cecil Williamson and we disscused her views and plans one on one and every question she answered was on par with what i belived should be done......she has a lot of good ideas that focus on today's youth....let's not forget about them they are the future of this town and if we can't keep them here who will be here in the future to keep this city alive?

[Statpat35]

Wasn't she the one who wanted to make Demopolis a retirement community and I'm only 26 years old and I'm not ready to retire.

[LPL]

Its a shame that there are more people not voting than voting according to the poll. I mean do you have any concept of how many people died so you have the right to vote! Please respect all those people by getting off your lazy butts and go vote ! You can go to city hall and regester it only takes a minute. For those of you on this website who don't vote quit complaining about Demopolis, because

[LPL]

YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT !!!!
(sorry about screaming.)

[tombstonebarbie]

I think alot of people may be in the same boat as I am. I live outside of the city limits; therefore, I am not able to vote in the mayorial race. Just my opinion.

[opiniator]

As with any election, all the candidates will have good ideas. That is why we have elections. Every candidate will have people that support them and others that would not even if their lives depended on it. That is why we have the right to elect our leaders. Like mentioned in this thread we ALL need to vote. The best candidate is not necessarily the one with the best ideas, but the one that is able to bring his/her ideas to reality.

[papaed]

Well put opiniator. I agree with you on this one.

[catlinclint]

Who agree with the changes ben making I do

[LPL]

does ben live in the city limits? I though he sold his house here and where he lives now is still questionable?

[dave]

Originally posted by lowerpool lover
does ben live in the city limits? I though he sold his house here and where he lives now is still questionable?

This has troubled me as well. Surely he would know the laws requring residence within the City Limits, considering he's ran 3 previous times. But, you never know..

[Eagle101]

His "legal"residence may be in Demopolis and the new place he built may be , like many Demopolis residents, his "camphouse" for weekend use.

[dave]

That is no "camphouse". It's nicer than most of the houses in town.

[papaed]

Ben is tops in my book. Graduated Union town high school class of 56. Voted Mr. U.H.S. 1956. Most athletic 1956. President U club 1956. President 4-H club 1956. 3rd all state team football. That was the early years.

[xerorepman]

What this town needs is more mini storage

[demoproblemis]

LOL

[demoproblemis]

Well, there goes one of the top candidates, Ben Sherrod no longer eligible due to expensive home outside city limits. See, that's what money will do to you!

[dave]

DOH!!!!

Dear Lord,
Please send us a good candidate for mayor.

Your servant,
Dave

[dave]

You know, Sherrod may have a case to appeal. He's been paying city taxes since he moved to the river. It's got to be hard to tell him "we'll take you money, but you 're not in the city".

[Eagle101]

I agree with you Dave. If the final decission is that his home is not in the city, He must, not should, demand all the city property taxes he has paid over the years. "No Taxation Without Representation." He pays city tax but can't get city representation.

[papaed]

Jay Shows is first class. He would make a good Mayor.

[demoproblemis]

I have overheard some news that Sherrod was disqualified because he wasn't registered to vote since he had moved just outside city limits. You have to be registered to run for mayor. To my understanding he could still register to vote where he is living now but the date by which he had to be registered by was back in May, so little too late now.

[dave]

The issue is his homestead exemption, which cannot be changed at this point. He has an apartment here in town that he stays at when it's raining alot (folks down there can't leave their property once it floods a little), but can't claim it now.

His argument will be he checked prior to moving out there to make sure he was a part of the city limits, and they told him he was--hence his having to pay Demopolis taxes.

Here's the story on the Times site (http://www.demopolistimes.com/articles/2004/07/01/news/news02.txt)

[Buttercup]

Bet no one offers to pay him back those taxes...

[Buttercup]

According to the paper Sherrod may have a legal precedent supporting his right to run. If he acted in good faith on bogus info given him by local authorities, and can prove it, he may still be able to run.

The article also *seemed* to say that, regardless of the fact that it is now common knowledge that he is ineligible to run, the only people who can challenge and keep him from running are the other mayoral candidates. ???? Which one wants to offend Sherrod's supporters and look like they feel threatened by his competition by doing that? If that's truly the way it works, any out-of-towner could use that loophole as a ploy to get into a race that they are not even eligible to vote in. :confused:

[dave]

Sherrod isn't exactly an "out-of-towner". As it stands, none of the candidates are going to want to piss off the Sherrrod supporters. I imagine what could happen is one of the present candidates could get a buddy to "run" long enough to challenge Sherrod's eligibility, then drop out before voting time.

[Buttercup]

I wasn't referring to Sherrod himself as an out-of-towner. He's definitely been a presence in D'polis for some time. I was just pointing out how someone else might take advantage of the situation.

[dave]

I wasn't insinuating anything. What I mean is someone that's never had a residence in Demopolis would be hard pressed to apply for the office of Mayor using Sherrod as a precident, considering he's lived here for so long and only moved after he made sure he was in the city limits.

I have no problem with Sherrod running personally--He owns an apartment here, property, businesses, etc. and has previously served in the City Government. I also feel the first candidate that trys to fight it seal their loss in the election. If Sherrod is booted, the person that wins is the one that gets his supporters.

[AngelWing]

I think Cecil Williamson would make a great mayor. She has the time, energy and knowhow to do the job right. She's not pulled in different directions with too many projects that would take up valuable time needed to be an effective mayor. After talking with Cecil at length, I've found she has a lot of great ideas and a lot of drive to help this town grow.

[sparkles01]

I am with you angelwing I think Cecil could make a great mayor as well.

[LPL]

Mike Grayson ?

[dave]

I think the best shot Grayson had was when he was the only candidate. He opposes the Supercenter, which leaves me wondering what else he'll oppose for the city because of personal interests. He currently owns and operates 3 businesses, yet believes he'll have the time to run the city as well. When he first announced, he stated the office didn't require someone "full-time", though has changed this stance somewhat once new candidates caome into the picture.

[AliMc1977]

Well I can't vote b/c well I'm out of Demo city limits,LOL, but my question to Mr. Grayson would be. Does his businesses require a full time owner? I know my cousin has a wine store and it takes up all his time. Why does he think Demopolis wouldn't need someone full time to oversee the city? It's almost like he thinks running a business is more important than running a city. I'm thinking maybe someone who sees Demopolis as a priority should be elected.

[LPL]

doesn't demopolis need to be ran like a good business?

[dave]

Originally posted by lowerpool lover
doesn't demopolis need to be ran like a good business?

Sure, but it should be the only business. You can't have confilcts of interest interfering with what's best for everyone.

[Eagle101]

Can't vote in this matter but a couple of guestions since I do spend a majority of my money in Demopolis businesses. Are all mayoral candidates expected to turn their business(es) over to someone else if elected? All announced candidates so far operate or own some type of business. Is Demopolis spoiled with having Austin Caldwell as mayor full time at part-time pay? Back to the old question: Should Demopolis just go ahead and make the Mayors job full time with full-time pay to serve the expanding needs of the citizens of Demopolis? Lowerpool lover is right. Demopolis should be run like a business. It's not good business sense for the boss to be away fifty percent of the time. Would you want to work 40 hours a week for 20 hours pay?

[Stonehenge]

It seems like Stephen Gutshall would be able to have the time for the job. I like the fact that he is younger and energetic. He has moved to Demopolis and became very active. He seems to have good ideas and would care about making Demopolis a better place. Right now, my vote is going toward him. I don't believe Mike Grayson has the time or desire to be a good mayor for Demopolis. I believe Cecil Williamson is to liberal and small town minded to get my vote.

[LPL]

How long have you lived here "stone" ?
I've lived here my whole life and would want a mayor who has done the same. I have nothing against Steven, but he's only lived here seven years. I want somebody who knows what this town has been through and what kind of town it is. Not somebody who moved because they thought it was pretty !
Because if histroy repeats itslef we need somebody who won't make the same mistake twice.

[dave]

None of the candidates have lived here their whole lives. Gutshall would be considered the "new kid on the block" though.

Grayson lost my consideration when he stated he was against the Supercenter. I still feel Sherrod has the best approach and ideas (some of which Cecil as incorporated as her own). Gutshall's approach to downtown is refreshing (Signs aren't the problem-the only signs to worry about are the "for sale" ones).

Cecil Williams recently published a phone # to call and advise/ask questions: (334) 216-4660

[Stonehenge]

I don't think that a qualification for mayor should be "Demopolis Blood". Good ideas and people can move here. They might actually care about the community they choose to make home and want to make it better. I do understand that sometimes people come in and only stay for a short while and may not have the long range interest at heart, but I think it is very shallow to think only someone that has lived here their entire life can be a good candidate for mayor.

[demopolite]

Good point about "Demopolis Blood," Dave. Even lots of people originally from Demop had to move away for 4-20 years to get an education and start a profession, but we would not hold that against them.

Voters should make a decision based on how they will handle Demop's future, rather than how much they know about its past. There is a City Hall FULL of people willing to give the mayor an earful about "past mistakes" at any time.

[LPL]

dave, is there any way you could get the ballot count on the last mayor election ?

[dave]

Umm.. Caldwell by alot :)

I do know he ran against Ben Sherrod and Dianne Pfaffman (not Pfaffman anymore). Caldwell recieved 52% of the total votes.