By By ANNA M. LEE Managing Editor
In two weeks, voters in District 5 will have a second chance to decide who will serve them on the Brewton City Council, as incumbent Mervin Huff and former council member Henry Uptagrafft compete in a runoff election on Sept. 14.
In the Aug. 24 vote, Huff received 85 votes to Uptagrafft's 83, while a third candidate, Fred Barton, received 61 votes.
Huff has served for 16 years as District 5's representative on the council. He says he is "looking straight ahead" as the runoff approaches, and he's trying to contact as many constituents as he can by telephone or in personal meetings.
Among the issues Huff considers important in this election are Brewton's continuing sewerage problems, the need for more street paving in District 5 and additional recreational facilities at the park in Alco. He says also that two drainage improvement projects need to be completed -- one on College Drive and one on Young Street. And though Burnt Corn Creek Park is not in his district, Huff says he would like to work with the council toward bringing more facilities there.
Uptagrafft sees a need in District 5 to take care of dilapidated houses, correct noise problems and fix potholes in the area. Huff said he is not sure if a lack of communication is the problem, but residents need someone they can reach and he will respond to calls within a few hours.
Uptagrafft served on the Brewton City Council from 1972 to 1980, was mayor pro tem from 1976 to 1980 and has lived in Alco for 36 years.