The longest-tenured Starkville alderman announced through a press release Monday night he will not seek the office of mayor in 2017.
Instead, Vice Mayor Roy A. Perkins reaffirmed he will seek election to a seventh term as Ward 6 alderman.
Perkins, who is serving his 24th year as alderman, said Starkville’s form of government — commonly referred to as “weak mayor” — limits the authority of the chief executive, while the “authority and power” of local government lays with the board of aldermen.
“Many people have asked me whether I will run for mayor,” Perkins told The Dispatch. “I believe I could do an exemplary job. …But being an alderman best positions me to make things happen for the people in my ward, and it will allow me to be a more effective public servant.”
Two-term mayor Parker Wiseman announced in November he would not seek re-election. Aldermen Ben Carver and Lisa Wynn, of wards 1 and 2, respectively, announced they were considering running but later publicly declared they would instead seek re-election to the board.
Local attorney Johnny Moore is the only candidate to declare his intent to run for mayor. Qualifying for all city posts begins in January.
Perkins outlines mayor qualifications
Perkins said he would not endorse any particular candidate for mayor during any point of the campaign, but his tenure on the board uniquely qualifies him to publicly speak on what he believes the next mayor should bring to the office — namely a proven professional and business background.
Moreover, he believes the next mayor should thoroughly understand how open government works and be willing to work with community partners, such as Oktibbeha County and Mississippi State University.
“I strongly believe that we need a mayor who is very knowledgeable and very well-versed in all aspects of city government,” his press release read. “Starkville has so many good things happening. That momentum has been building since I have been on the board of aldermen, and a new mayor must definitely have the energy and vision to move us forward in a very positive fashion.”
Lastly, he said he wants the new mayor to work full time at City Hall without the need for a chief administrative officer — a position he called a “complete waste of the taxpayers’ money.”
Starkville hasn’t filled its vacant CAO position since Taylor Adams left the city in 2015. Before that, Lynn Spruill served as CAO in the Dan Camp administration, as well as during Wiseman’s first term.
The mayor’s annual salary will be $75,000 once the new term begins in July. Aldermen will make $20,000 per year.
Thoughts on Wiseman
Though Perkins admits he and the outgoing mayor have not always seen eye-to-eye, he called Wiseman “a man of great class,” adding they worked together with “mutual respect, professionalism and integrity.”
Perkins credited Wiseman with “implementing his vision” as mayor, particularly with building the new City Hall on Main Street and leading efforts to renovate the former city hall for an expanded police department headquarters.
He said he was surprised to learn Wiseman would not seek re-election.
“He has certainly worked very diligently and faithfully to serve all of Starkville’s citizens,” Perkins said of Wiseman. “He has brought forth a lot of energy to the office of mayor.”
Zack Plair is the managing editor for The Dispatch.
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