Three people have added their names to the list of candidates to qualify for the Aug. 26 Opelika municipal election.
On Tuesday, Greg Jones qualified to run as a candidate for Ward 1 of the Opelika City Council. On Friday, Rick Gaught qualified to run as a candidate for Ward 5, and Oscar Penn qualified to run for Ward 2.
Greg Jones, 50, who is unrelated to Ward 1 incumbent Patsy Jones, is a self-employed home builder who said he wants to make a difference in young and older peoples’ lives.
“I have a great big heart, and that’s the most important thing right there — the heart,” Greg Jones said.
The Opelika native said he wants to work to find jobs for younger people and to provide social activities and outlets for the older population.
“I really want to be a service to the people,” Greg Jones said.
Rick Gaught, 57, is a retired Opelika police officer, who now runs two businesses from his home — Cruise One Travel and Gaught Multiservices. Gaught said he learned a lot about the city’s needs as a patrolman.
“When you’re a police officer for 25-plus years, you see a lot of things that need to be improved both in public safety and the general infrastructure,” said Gaught, who included paving roads, trimming bushes near stop signs and patching potholes as part of the city’s infrastructure.
Gaught said he would also like to use a civil service program, operated by a separate entity, to hire and promote city employees. He said he would also like to see the city continue to attract more industries and jobs.
Penn was not able to be reached by telephone Friday afternoon.
Qualifying for the Aug. 26 municipal election in Opelika began July 1. Nine people qualified for the election on the first day — Gary Fuller and Rainer Meadows for the mayoral race, and city council candidates Patsy Jones for Ward 1; Clarence Harris for Ward 2; Lucinda Samford Cannon, Joey Motley and Loren Sutton for Ward 3, Eddie Smith for Ward 4 and Dr. William Lazenby for Ward 5.
There are only two business days left for mayoral and city council candidates to qualify for the Aug. 26 municipal election. All candidates must have the required forms completed and filed with the Opelika City Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. Tuesday
bharvey@oanow.com | 737-2546
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