By By Lisa Tindell – news editor/By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
With 24 candidates vying for 11 positions in the Brewton and East Brewton municipal elections Tuesday, the ballots in each city are crowded with choices for city residents.
Brewton Mayor Ted Jennings will be continuing his time in office since no other candidates ran for the position.
Jennings said candidates vying for office in the upcoming election want to know their efforts are not in vain.
Electing mayors and council members in either city is more than just a show of support for the candidate; it's a show of support for our fighting troops, Jennings said.
Selecting a candidate to vote for in any election is daunting, but Jennings said making a responsible decision is key to putting the right people in office.
Polls in Brewton and East Brewton will be open Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. allowing ample time for voting.
In Brewton, voters registered in Districts 1 and 2 will be voting at the Brewton Community Center located directly behind the Brewton City Hall complex. Voters in Districts 3 and 4 will cast their ballots at the Brewton Middle School Media Center with District 5 voters casting ballots at the Jefferson Davis Community College Museum.
In East Brewton, one polling location will accommodate voters for the day. The East Brewton S.A.I.L. Center on Williamson Street is located directly across from W.S. Neal Elementary School and will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Run-off elections, if necessary, will be held Oct. 7 with race winners being sworn into their positions Nov. 3.
City officials in Brewton and East Brewton will hold canvass meetings Sept. 2 to officially validate voting results for the election.
Two seek E.B. Place 3
By Lydia Grimes – features reporter
Economic growth is at the top of the list of important issues for both candidates for East Brewton City Council, place 3.
Lamar Revel and LuDon Simmons are seeking the council seat.
Revel said East Brewton faces one main issue: “The lack of money to provide for the needs of the people.”
Revel said he hopes to find businesses to locate to East Brewton.
Revel, 73, is retired and has always been self-employed. He is a high school graudate and has a wife, three sons, three grandsons and two granddaughters.
Simmons said the most important issues facing East Brewton are youth activities, city government and economic growth for sales tax.
Simmons said he is well suited for the position.
Simmons said he hopes to help East Brewton by “listening to the public and keeping an open mind.”
Simmons, 46, graduated from W.S. Neal High School. He has two years of technical school at Ed Reid State. He is married to Martha Lambeth Simmons and they have two children, “the engine and caboose,” Mariah Simmons (15) and Marcus Simmons (9). They attend First Baptist Church of East Brewton.