I, Johnny Magee, am again offering myself as a candidate for the office of City Councilman representing Ward 6. This is a time of financial upheaval and instability, not only in our nation, but throughout the rest of the world. For this reason it is imperative that the City of Laurel have someone on the Council who understands the city’s finances, and who is prepared to make the intelligent decisions and tough choices to ensure that the taxpayer’s monies are spent wisely. I am fiscally responsible with your taxes and have a long track record of being a capable steward of your money. I have shown on numerous occasions the realization that these dollars belong not to me, but to you, the taxpayer.

The aesthetic value of the city is of the utmost importance, for this reason I will continue to advocate and support a strong and effective Inspection Department. Appearances are the cornerstone of any community, whether it happens to be a new business or an existing business looking to relocate, homebuyers looking to purchase or visitors to our city, they all want to know how we look, the more pleasing to the eye, the better. The preservation of our positive appearances include but are not limited to the elimination of junk vehicles, cleaning of overgrown lots, removal of dilapidated structures and the absence of litter. In an attempt to improve our aesthetics, I helped to craft a rental ordinance in 2005, that was never enforced, although I still feel it is a good piece of legislation for the city and hope it can be revived. Another challenge to our positive appearance is the large number of stray dogs that roam our streets, we must keep a handle on this growing problem.

Maintaining the drainage infrastructure is a must for any city, and since many areas of Ward 6 are low-lying, this is another issue that keeps my constant focus. Aging water and sewer line replacement is a challenge that most everyone is aware of, and it continues to plague the city. I believe that it is important to set aside funds for the systematic replacement of these lines, and when funds are set aside, they should be used for this purpose, and this purpose only, unless we face a dire emergency.

Public safety is important to most citizens, and for this reason I will continue to keep a keen eye on the funding needs and operations of the police and fire departments. Efficiency is the key. Also, key in any effort to combat crime is diligent citizen involvement.

The collection of trash and garbage is an ongoing responsibility of the city, and my position continues to be a return to a five-day work-week for the Public Works Department and to reinstitute twice-a-week garbage pick up. The Water Department must be self-sufficient through user fees, (water bills), per state law, and I will never support a water increase unless absolutely necessary. I also will not vote for any unnecessary ad valorem tax increase. My position on these issues are crystal clear.

Recreation is a quality-of-life issue that continues to be well funded by the City of Laurel, with some rewards, like the 2009 World Series. All segments of the population of Laurel should benefit from these funds and deserve to have the very best of recreational outlets. This has been and will continue to be my aim.

Business and industry are essential to the survival of the city and I will remain a staunch advocate of businesses, both large and small, to help insure their continued growth and sustainability.

I always have and will continue to closely scrutinize all information that is provided to the Council to insure that my votes are always based on informed and knowledgeable facts, so that I may better represent the constituents of Ward 6.

As a city, we must tactfully examine the reasons some choose to leave the city limits for the county and determine whether we can reserve, at least some of this shift. Similarly, in dealing with our growing Hispanic population, we should intelligently do all we can to assist them into assimilating not only to the work force, but also to our community norms and mores.

Finally, I am certain that the two gentlemen who are also vying for this office are respectable, reputable and honorable men. Nevertheless, compared to my opponents in this contest, I am confident that my skills, leadership and experience are clear indicators that this candidate is the best-suited to continue to represent Ward 6 on the City Council. I desire to remain an intelligent and courageous voice for the residents of Ward 6 and the City of Laurel.

I solicit your prayers and support, presently, and your votes on May 5, at the Laurel #1 Fire Station.

I remain your servant.

Johnny Magee