Todd White said he learned an important message from his father about public service.

“That’s where I got my joy from,” his father, Skippy White, a former state legislator, told him.

White said serving is one of the reasons he decided to run for tax collector. He qualified as a Democrat. Tim Pettis qualified as a Republican for the office.

White said he has spent time over the past year meeting with outgoing tax collector Joy Wiggins to learn about the office.

“I have a lot of respect for the office,” he said. “I would not have run if she was going to run again.”

White is a graduate of Flomaton High School and holds an associate’s degree from Jefferson Davis Community College as well as a technical degree in industrial electronics.

He has worked at what is now the Georgia-Pacific mill in Brewton for almost 30 years. He and wife Kris Findlay White have two children, Blakelee and Cade.

White served several terms as a Pollard City Council member, beginning when he was only 18.

White said he believes customer service is one of the most important aspects of the tax collector position.

“And anytime you are dealing with public funds, you must maintain integrity,” he said.

Gideons to run for assessor

Malcolm “Bub” Gideons is running for tax assessor. He and Thad Moore Jr. have qualified as Democrats.

Born and raised in Atmore, Gideons graduated from Escambia Academy in 1983, received a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of South Alabama in 1989 and earned his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1992.

“I practiced law for five years in Atlanta before going into real estate,” Gideons said. “I have been a licensed real estate agent for 16 years. I believe my background and experience have prepared me to make the tax assessor’s office the best it cane be.”

Gideons said he welcomes residents to contact him about issues at 251-359-6523 or at malcolm.gideons@yahoo.com.

“My roots and my heart are here in Escambia County,” he said. “Join me in keeping it a great place to call home.”

Gideons is sales representative at The Atmore Advance, a sister newspaper to The Brewton Standard.