Incumbent Magnolia mayor Melvin Harris is banking on his 39 years of public service to propel him to victory in Tuesday’s general election.
Harris faces Republican Dennis Quinn. Voting will be conducted at the Magnolia Community Center.
Harris defeated William R. Brown 260-183 in the May 7 primary and asks voters to return him to office for a second four-year term. He served as alderman for 34 years before previous mayor Dr. Jim Storer resigned and Harris served out Storer’s remaining year in office.
“One thing that is important wise-thinking people can’t forget is that I’ve worked under three of the finest mayors Magnolia has seen,” Harris said, referring to the late W.J. Simmons and Sam Owens, and Storer, who moved.
“Those guys actually tutored me. I learned a lot from those three and make some of the tough decisions I have to make now from watching them. A little town like this really has to manage its resources well and spend money wisely.”
Harris said fiscal responsibility is a key issue.
“Our finances is a big issue. I want to encourage the board to understand planning and spending wisely,” Harris said. “I inherited a $4 million debt in my first term. We’ve got it down to about $2.8 million now. That took planning. I think it will take another four years to eliminate the debt. We do have some big concerns, like water and sewer.”
Harris said he intends to go after federal grants to repair the potholes in the city streets.
“The only way to fix our city streets is to get some federal dollars in here. I’m talking about millions of dollars.”
Harris said citizens should unite for a better Magnolia.
“We’re going to have to work together and eliminate the things that stood in our way,” Harris said.
Harris said he is thinking positive.
“I’m optimistic. I don’t want to take anybody for granted. I’m taking it slowly, carefully and cautiously.”
The 80-year-old Harris spent 44 years as an administrator and instructor at South Pike High School. He said that experience will also serve him well.
“I think the momentum is there, but through the many hours, days, weeks, months and years, my background as a teacher and experience as an administrator in the school is hard to ignore.”
The 64-year-old Quinn is a Medicaid driver and is a former alderman. He was alderman from 2004 to 2009. He served one full term and served out the remaining year of Kelvin Butler’s term after Butler won election to the state senate. Quinn also ran for mayor against W.J. Simmons.
Quinn sees a plethora of problems plaguing the town, but none that can’t be remedied under his leadership.
He said one particular way to bring more money into the town’s coffers is make a business corridor along Highway 51.
“I want to expand the city limits. I would like to see if we can entice Fernwood to becoming a part of Magnolia,” Quinn said. “Fernwood could be a part of Magnolia’s growth. We could have businesses on Highway 51 from Fernwood to Magnolia.”
Quinn said city streets, stray dogs and the benefit package the city board receives all need to be fixed.
“I haven’t seen any progress with the streets in town. They’re still messed up in town,” Quinn said. “We need someone to aggressively fight for funding and grants. Money is tight, so we can’t raise taxes.”
Quinn suggested the city hire a full-time grant writer. Magnolia currently uses Mary Helen Ferguson, owner of The Ferguson Group, to write grants. Ferguson is paid on a commission basis.
“We need somebody to work everyday to try and get grants,” Quinn said. “If (Ferguson) could do something to help Magnolia out, that would be great. Anybody with experience to help Magnolia out I’m for that.”
Quinn said Magnolia is overwhelmed by strays.
“I’ve got a man I want to hire to take care of the dogs and take it out of the police department’s hands,” Quinn said. “We’ve got a policeman (Brent Mullins) doing that now and it’s just not working.”
As for the benefit package the board receives, Quinn said he would nix that immediately if elected.
“The board got a raise about two years ago. They get about $700 per month now with insurance. That’s too high for a town this size. We can just afford our city employees to have insurance, let alone our elected officials. Summit’s board is in the $400 range, and they’ve got more tax money coming in than Win or lose, this is going to be addressed.”
Quinn said he would explore ways to attract a hotel and other businesses.
“I’d work on trying to get a hotel in town. I’d go out and talk to franchises, like chicken and hamburger restaurants. I’d like to talk to them and see if they would take a chance on Magnolia. We’ve got to ask them to invest in the community.”
Quinn said he considered himself a conservative.
“You’ve got to be careful how you spend other folks’ money. We need common sense conservative people who know how to make decisions,” Quinn said.
Quinn said he would also like to develop recreational areas.
“Growing up in Magnolia, it was a nice-looking little town,” Quinn said. “It seems like we’re going backward, like it’s dying. I want to see if we can bring a little life back. We need a makeover.”
