Ahead of Monday’s debate, candidates running for Oak Grove City Council hosted a meet-and-greet on Thursday and talked about what their priorities are if elected.
Nine city council candidates will be on this year’s ballot. Incumbents, Janet Edwards, John Campbell, Isaiah Spencer, Richard Baker, Edward Cook and Jean Leavell are seeking reelection. The incumbents are being challenged by newcomers, Carlo Gentlemen, Chance Summers and Timothy Lawrence Rosser.
Oak Grove does not have city wards so the six candidates that receive the most votes will comprise the council.
Edwards has served on the council for 14 years and if reelected, she says her top three priorities are fiscal responsibility, economic development and public safety.
With Buc-ee’s coming to the town, Edwards says they need to plan ahead for how the business may impact the community. The inclusion of Buc-ee’s may attract other businesses to Oak Grove and because of that Edwards says she wants to increase law enforcement numbers and establish a paid fire department.
Leavell has served on the council for 12 years and if reelected, she says her top priority is to work toward establishing a full-time or part-time fire department in Oak Grove. Leavell says a paid fire department has become a necessity because Oak Grove is expanding and the population is rising.
Spencer has served on the council for six years and if reelected, he says his priorities are to improve infrastructure, establish a paid fire department and a school in Oak Grove. Spencer says he would at least like to see an elementary school come to the town because he is tired of seeing their students have to wake up extremely early to get to school on time.
Campbell has served on the council for two years and if reelected, he says his top priorities are to focus on road improvements and establishing a paid fire department. Campbell says he would also like to create more youth and community programs.
Gentlemen is a newcomer and if elected, he says his priorities are to make Oak Grove a more walkable community with more sidewalks and to establish a paid fire department.
Cook and Summers did not attend the meet-and-greet and Baker and Rosser were in attendance but did not want to comment. Oak Grove’s Debate of the Council is set for Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and election day is November 5.