Two Brewton residents have thrown their hats into the political arena with the announcement they will seek the Escambia County circuit clerk position.
Becki Breckenridge and John Robert Fountain will be running for the position currently held by Kenneth Taylor. Taylor has indicated he will not seek re-election to the seat.
Breckenridge, a Republican, said her education and experience as well as her involvement in the community will make her a good choice for the position.
“I believe the background I have in business management will be applied in the office,” Breckenridge said. “Bookkeeping, accounting, filing, project management and scheduling are all skills that are involved in the office, and I have that knowledge.”
Breckenridge said she has 15 years experience in business management between operating Hourglass Antiques and Hourglass Construction. She holds a chemical engineering degree from Auburn University.
Fountain, who will be running as a Democrat, said his experience at his current job as an Escambia County juvenile probation officer gives him an advantage to the workings of the circuit clerk’s office.
“I am already familiar with the clerk’s office working as a magistrate,” Fountain said. “As intake officer with the juvenile court system, I am familiar with the workings of the system and feel confident I could handle the circuit clerk’s position. I am already familiar with the SIJIS data processing system in the clerk’s office since our office uses the same system.”
Fountain is a graduate of W.S. Neal High School and earned a degree in sociology with a minor in criminal justice from Auburn University.
Breckenridge is involved in community groups and organizations, stretching her abilities in a wide range of interests.
She attends the First United Methodist Church, where she is an active member. She also serves as a member of several organizations, including the Rotary Club’s local and international chapters. She has served as a member of the family support committee for the Escambia County Habitat for Humanity group and serves in the Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village. She is a past director of the Greater Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce and served for four years on the Alabama 4-H Foundation board, was the first female on the Alabama State Stock Advisory Board and is a certified trainer for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. She also served on the Escambia County Family Drug Court Community Coalition. She worked with the Alabama Technology Network as a corporate coach and instructor.
She is married to Terrence Breckenridge and has a 12-year-old stepson, Jackson Breckinridge. Her mother, Evelyn Reynolds, is also a resident of Brewton.
Fountain is a member of Pollard United Methodist Church and has served on the Pollard Town Council. He has served as chairman of the Escambia County Multi-Needs Panel and remains on the panel as the position rotates. He helped develop and implement a Truancy Diversion Program in the Atmore area and wrote a grant with the Escambia County Department of Youth Services to initiate the Project Turnaround program in the county, with the grant being awarded recently. He has been involved with youth in the community by serving as an assistant coach for Brewton’s Babe Ruth league and as coach of the East Brewton Little League team in the past.
He is married to Sarah Anne Fountain and the couple have two daughters, Mary Margaret Anne, 4; and Harper Lee Elizabeth, 2; and a third child on the way. He is the son of Coleman and Voncile Fountain of East Brewton.
Qualifying for those wishing to hold political office will end Jan. 13, 2012, with the primary scheduled for March 2012.