Candidates line up for municipal elections

When Auburn voters go to the polls for municipal elections Aug. 24, those in all wards will have the opportunity to vote for mayor. Only those in two wards, however, will see a ballot listing city council choices.

Paul Thompson, a 2004 Auburn University graduate who now manages Skybar in downtown Auburn, qualified to run for the position of mayor against long-time incumbent Bill Ham.

In addition, James "Jim" Douglas will challenge incumbent Brent Beard in Ward 4 and Kevin Perry will challenge James "Gene" Dulaney in Ward 7. Beard has served on the council since 2006 and Dulaney since 2002.

Arthur Dowdell in Ward 1, Sheila Eckman in Ward 2, Tom Worden in Ward 3, Robin Kelly in Ward 5, Dick Phelan in Ward 6 and Bob Norman in Ward 8 drew no opposition.

Thompson, Douglas and Perry are all young, enthusiastic and say they want to be involved in the community.

"When we decided to move back to Auburn, I thought it was time to start getting involved with the community," Perry said. "I saw what I think is an opening. There are not too many younger people on the council right now, and our generation, with young children, have particular concerns."

Perry, 42, graduated from Auburn University some five years ago and is now the primary caregiver for two young children as he pursues a doctorate in electrical engineering. He said he doesn't know Dulaney, his opponent. Dulaney is a vice president for Auburn Bank.

"I have nothing against him," he said. "I've never met him, but from what I've heard he's doing a good job."

Like Perry, Douglas said he thinks more young people need to be involved in city government.

"It's not that I think the city is badly managed, but there are a lot of people who are contributing financially and are under-represented," he said.

Douglas, 25, hails from Ohio. He came to Auburn last year to do an internship at Auburn University and said he fell in love with the town. Now he wants to make Auburn his home, and he's already coaching youth soccer and volunteering at the Jan Dempsey Community Center while taking on-line classes in political science as he seeks to complete his degree.

Right now those classes originate from the University of Alabama, but Douglas said he hopes to be admitted to Auburn in the spring.

His opponent, Beard, is a sales representative for Alabama Contract Sales.

Thompson could not be reached for comment, but has been quoted as saying he did not think a mayor should run unopposed. He said he also believes in term limits, and realizes challenging a four-term incumbent like Ham is difficult.

Auburn City Council members are paid $600 monthly by the city. Terms are for four years.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 24.