By Staff
Staff Editorial
Atmore's new mayor and council took their seats at the council table for the first time Monday afternoon.
As the next era in Atmore's history begins, so the previous era ends.
We would be remiss if we did not thank former Mayor Rodney Owens for serving the city so well for the past four years. We also thank councilmen Jerry Gehman for four years of service, David McKinley for eight years of service, and Curtis Harris for 12 years of service.
It takes a special kind of person to seek public office on any level.
On the council level, it isn't for the money. Atmore's councilmen are paid $400 a month. Some folks probably think they're woefully overpaid. But if he does his homework, a councilman does more than attend two meetings a month.
At times, no amount of money is enough for the job. No decision will ever please all of the people all of the time. Some decisions will never please any of the people.
Criticism comes more often and more quickly than do the pats on the back. A public servant's skin has to get pretty thick in a hurry.
So why would anybody want to run for public office? To make things better. To give people a choice. To move the city ahead. To try to make his vision into a reality. To make a difference. To do something rather than wring his hands and complain about the people who are in office.
Thirteen citizens ran for six seats in the municipal elections. Three veterans and three newcomers were chosen.
We welcome Mayor Howard Shell, newly elected councilmen Webb Nall, Jim Staff and Louie Turner, and returning councilmen John Garrard and John Watkins.
We trust your vision is for the betterment of our city and citizens.