District 1 Commission candidates speak to Rotarians

Candidates for the District 1 seat on the Marengo County Commission spoke Wednesday before the Demopolis Rotary Club, listing their qualifications and what they would like to accomplish if elected.

The three candidates are on the Demopolis ballot for the May 24 primary election. There are no Republican candidates for the office.

Speaking first, former Demopolis City Councilman Mitchell Congress stressed that he was the only candidate with the time to devote to the office. He added that he has been trained how to lobby in Montgomery and Washington, D.C., on behalf of the county.

“I want to be that person that wants to be that voice for those who have not been heard,” he said.

Among the issues he would like to address is setting term limits for commissioners. If elected, Congress would succeed Freddie Armstead, who served 36 years before his accidental death earlier this year. Term limits would give other people the opportunity to serve, he said.

Congress would like to see more sirens throughout the county to warn residents of impending tornados and to construct more storm shelters “where they need to be placed.”

He also would like to reform the bond system. Instead of using a bail bondsman, the fee would be paid to a county magistrate. That money then can be used to pay any fines or penalties. What’s left can be given back without losing it to a bonding company.

Congress said he was elected three times to the Demopolis City Council but had to resign part way through his third term because of health issues. His current mobility limitations make no difference in how he would be able to do the job, he said.

“My mobility has nothing to do with my intellect,” he said.

Freddie Armstead Jr. is looking to take his late father’s place on the Commission. He has worked with the Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission for 22 years and director of the transportation department for 12 of those years. He has worked with eight counties across the region.

“I love dealing with people,” he said. “I have the heart to serve.”

Armstead listed three goals he wants to accomplish. The first is to work with the Demopolis City Council to improve citizens’ quality of life. With his ATRC connections, he “has the inside track” toward being able to apply for grants for Demopolis and Marengo County.

His second goal is to strengthen the education system by maintaining the relationship with Wallace Community College, both in dual enrollment and work force training.

The third goal was a dual one of growing jobs and affordable housing for county residents. After talking with several industries in the area he found, “We have a lot of jobs in Demopolis and Marengo County that are not being filled.”

The work force, however, must have places to live. “We do not have proper housing in Demopolis,” he said. There are not enough housing units available. He proposes a partnership to build housing for future workers.

Current Demopolis City Councilman Charles Jones Jr. began by listing the many city and regional entities in which he has been a member and the accomplishments he has helped to see come to life.

Determining who will be the best candidate “is about performance, not promises,” he stated.

A member of the Council for nine years and the mayor pro tem for the past six years, Jones said he is preparing for the next step. “It is always a progression.”

One of the main issues to be faced, he believes, is the disconnect between Demopolis and the southern end of the county. “We’ve got to change that relationship,” he stressed, and get the entire county working together. “At some point we’ve got to understand we are Team Marengo.”