Ward 3 chooses councilman Tuesday

By Jason Niblett, Leader-Call Correspondent

June 10, 2007 02:51 pm

— Hours of campaigning, hundreds of yard signs, and miles of walking neighborhoods for Ward 3 candidates will come to an end for at least two candidates this week.
A special election to fill a seat left vacant when Councilman Ed Smith died April 24 will once again offer Ward 3 citizens representation on Laurel’s City Council. The election is scheduled for Tuesday, but with four strong candidates, a runoff election will become necessary if one of the candidates doesn’t receive 50 percent, plus one, of the vote. If needed, the runoff election is scheduled for June 19, giving the top two candidates an extra week to campaign. The City of Laurel has budgeted about $9,000 for the election.
The Laurel City Clerk’s office was open the past two Saturdays to offer an additional chance for people who won’t be able to vote Tuesday to choose by absentee ballot. Chief Deputy Clerk Terri Smith said the ward holds about 2,400 registered voters, and turnout is usually high. She said six people voted by absentee ballot Saturday, but that doesn’t include the total number of absentee ballots submitted during regular business hours or June 2.
“It usually has a really good turnout,” Smith said. “Ward 3 voters really get out and vote.”
Four men are asking for votes Tuesday. Each person has years of business experience or working as leaders of groups and organizations. They all have deep ties to Laurel, and each say they have what it takes to help Ward 3.
Candidates include Bo Asmar, Haile T. Gaddy, James H. “Jim” Johnson, and Tony Thaxton.
Bo Asmar owns and operates All-American Transfer and Storage, Pickering Cleaners, Village Cleaners, A-Great Check Cashing Company, and several properties in Jones County. He and his wife, the parents of four children, attend Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
“I have extensive experience in the management of various types of businesses and have a good understanding of all that is required to own and operate a commercial enterprise,” Asmar said. “I am well experienced in matters concerning management of personnel and have a detailed knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local regulations, preparation of budgets and forecasting, development of business plans, and making the daily decisions required in the operation of a viable, successful business. Each of my businesses has managers in place that are experienced in handling operations on a daily basis, which will allow me the flexibility to invest the time and energy required to fulfill my obligation as Ward 3 Councilman. I will be committed to performing the responsibilities as your councilman to the best of my abilities.”
The Ward 3 council race is the first round of politics for candidate Haile T. Gaddy. The owner of a janitorial business and a former purchasing agent for the city, Gaddy said the experience has shown him the diversity of the ward and the need to maintain good areas while improving not so good areas.
“There’s a lot of diversity in Ward 3,” he said. “You’ve got people that live on one end of the ward — on the north side — the homes and neighborhoods are fine. The southern part of the ward needs to see some improvement. There are a lot of residents with good ideas. They have the solutions to many of the problems. I don’t think any one person can do it.
“I believe that successful leaders must first learn to serve, and then lead by example.”
Candidate Jim Johnson has received the most attention of each of the candidates. A Laurel native, Johnson returned to Laurel after spending more than two decades in Washington, D. C. The owner of Capitol Associates, a government relations and lobbying firm in Laurel, Johnson’s residency was questioned by the election commission almost immediately. He and his wife recently renovated a house in Homewood, which is in Ward 2. Johnson said he has moved to Ward 3, but his wife will maintain the home in Ward 2. The election commission certified him as a Ward 3 resident and candidate almost immediately after meeting with the election commission.
“My wife lives in that house at 1304 Homewood,” Johnson told Commissioner Carolyn Harper. “My residence is at 9 Glenwood. I have lots at Village Park. I’m going to build three houses at Village Park. I may live in one of those. I intend to live in Ward 3, yes ma’am.”
“Helping individuals, businesses, cities and county governments has been my life’s work,” Johnson said. “I really feel that my experience can prove to be an asset to the city of Laurel as a whole —not just to Ward 3 — if elected council member.”
Johnson says his political and professional ties will become an asset for Laurel.
Tony Thaxton is also running for Ward 3 councilman. He is a Vietnam veteran and an attorney with a Laurel firm 31 years.
“I have no hidden agenda, I am beholden to no special interest group and I have no aspirations for higher office,” Thaxton said. “I share basic core values with most if not all of (Ward 3 voters). I want a government that is honest and responsive to taxpayers, a government that has a fair tax structure and a government that is a good steward of the taxpayer’s money. I want a community that is growing economically, a community that has a good public school system, a community that is safe and clean with good streets along with good fire and police departments, and a community with a good quality of life within which to live and raise our families and invites our youth to return and do the same when grown.”
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday. There will be a handcount at Mason School Tuesday night.

Ward 3 Candidates
Mitchell “Bo” Asmar
Residence: 3616 Old Bay Springs Rd.
Bio: Born and raised in Laurel, graduating from R.H. Watkins High School in 1969 and MSU in 1973 with a business degree. Owns and operates several businesses in Laurel. Served on the Jones Co. EDA and the Laurel Election Commission.
Personal: He and his wife Kathy have four children and two grandchildren. They are members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Haile T. Gaddy
Residence: 1213 Millsaps Dr.
Bio: Born in Laurel and has resided here since 1994. Owns and operates his own business and was previously employed as the Purchasing Agent under Laurel mayors Susan Vincent and Melvin Mack.
Personal: He and his wife have three children and a grandchild.

James “Jim” Johnson
Residence: 9 Glenwood Dr.
Bio: A Laurel native, who returned to his hometown in 2006. He is CEO of a Laurel government relations and lobbying firm. Worked as a consultant for a Washington D.C. law firm from 1984-1991 before working as U.S. Sen. Trent Lott’s executive assistant. Was part of Haley Barbour’s election campaign in 2003.
Personal: He and his wife Jane are the parents of four married daughters.

Tony Thaxton
Residence: 5 Northgate Dr.
Bio: A Laurel native who graduated from R.H. Watkins High School and Ole Miss where he earned a law degree. Served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam. Has practiced law in Laurel for the last 31 years.
Personal: He and his wife Betsy have three grown sons.

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