Three candidates this week signed up to run in the special election to fill the Post 1, District 3 seat of Brian Bowen, who resigned in April citing personal reasons. Bowen had suffered from complications following brain surgery in 2005.
The candidates are Daniel Brown, 36, Dudley Christie Jr., 61, and Charles Lewis, 69.
Brown, a real estate agent, and Christie, and optometrist, are making their first runs at elected office. Lewis, a retired Perry police officer, served on the City Council for 14 years, opting in 2004 not to run for re-election.
Lewis said he is running again now because he missed being involved in the community.
"Serving the people, that kind of gets in you," he said. "I don't have any burning issues."
Brown owns Progressive Real Estate and Self Storage and is chairman of the board of the Perry Chamber of Commerce. He has been a vocal opponent of impact fees, something the city is considering to help offset costs associated with growth.
"The impact fee is part of it," Brown said of his reasons for running. "The City Council in general, as far as what I think I can contribute, being in business, that's where I think my knowledge can help."
Christie said he has a substantial involvement in local real estate and development. He said he is opposed to impact fees and higher taxes.
"The main thing would be to try to protect the public and protect the assets," the optometrist said. "I want to attract new business and be frugal with the money that we have."
The nonpartisan election will be held July 15 when the primary elections for county and state offices are held.
To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 923-6199, extension 235.
