By By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
In one of the two most crowded Brewton City Council elections this year, three men are seeking the District 5 seat.
Fred Barton and Terrence Breckenridge are challenging incumbent Henry Uptagrafft for the seat.
Barton said Brewton's No. 1 issue is economic development.
Barton said his education and military background make him well suited for the position.
How do you intend to help the city?
Barton said he wants to make Brewton safer and listen to his constituents.
Barton, a life-long resident of Brewton, is retired from the Alabama National Guard (U.S. Army). “During my 34-year tour I have been in many cities in the United States and several countries throughout the world but my most memorable tour was the year I spent in Iraq in Desert Shield/Desert Storm,” he said. “I worked my way up through the ranks and I obtained the rank of first sergeant. Some say that is the most important progression in the military.”
Barton, 59, retired under the General Motors umbrella after 22 years. He is a graduate of Southern Normal High School and attended Jefferson Davis Community College, where he received an associate degree in business administration. He is an ordained deacon and attends New Life Holiness Apostolic Church with his wife and daughter. He has been married to Cheryl Preyer Barton for 34 years. She is a retired educator with the Escambia County Board of Education. They are the parents of three daughters, Freda, Ingrid and Joshmene Barton, and two granddaughters, Erica and Chekara Barton.
Barton is a three-time recipient of the Royal Purple achiever award, which is General Motors' highest award ever given to a sales person. This award can only be achieved by the most number of sales, the highest test scores and Top Customer Satisfaction Reports. Barton said he was the first to receive this award in the Southeast Zone. He has been a reserve deputy sheriff with the Escambia County Sheriff Department for 24 years.
Terrence Breckenridge is seeking the position of Brewton City Council, District 5.
Breckenridge said Brewton's most important issues are “the ones that affect the well-being of our tax-paying citizens.”
Breckenridge said he believes his love for Brewton, coupled with his ability to communicate, help make him well-suited for the position.
Breckenridge is 38 years old. He is a public school graduate and attended two years of college. He has 22 years of experience in restaurant ownership and operations; six years of experience in custom building and renovation; and two years of retail experience. He is a member of First United Methodist Church; director on the Greater Brewton Chamber of Commerce board; Brewton Arts Council member; and a building committee member for Habitat for Humanity.
He is married to Becki Reynolds and he has an 8-year-old son, Jackson. Breckenridge said they also have an adopted fat, black cat, Nola, and an old faithful black Lab, Taylor.
His interests and hobbies include family time, historical restoration, Habitat for Humanity, new challenges and helping others.
Uptagrafft said improving Brewton's infrastructure and economic development are among the most important tasks for the city.
Uptagrafft currently holds the District 5 seat on the Brewton City Council.
Uptagrafft, 69, is a graduate of W.S. Neal High School, a Vietnam veteran, and served on the city council from 1972 to 1980.
He and his wife, Mary Alice Uptagrafft, have four children, Wendell Uptragrafft, Patricia Abrams, Margie Ingram and Ricky Uptragrafft, and five grandchildren.