2016 Pell City Municipal Debate

On August 12, The Heart of Pell City Downtown Revitalization, the Rotary Club of Pell City and the St. Clair News-Aegis will host the 2016 Pell City Candidate Debate, open to those qualified to participate in the upcoming Municipal Election on August 23. The event will be at 6 p.m., with doors opening to the public at 5:30 p.m.

These organizations have partnered in order to provide a forum for candidates to present their visions for the city and discuss key local issues in front of engaged citizens. The 2016 Pell City Candidate Debate will be held in the CEPA auditorium and is free and open to the public.

Debates provide candidates with a rare opportunity to present their messages organically and to a diverse audience. And for those who attend, these events provide critical education about their choices prior to election day.

The event will feature an evening of conversation as candidates discuss questions submitted by the public and selected by a non-affiliated committee. Topics will include local economic growth, Pell City Schools, infrastructure, industrial development and others.

Brent Watson will be the event moderator. Watson has been wheelchair-bound since age 17 after a car accident left him quadriplegic. He has been a Pell City resident for more than 10 years now. He is a graduate from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Journalism, and he worked for numerous news outlets and as a freelance writer prior to becoming an entrepreneur in 2005 when he purchased Comfort Keepers Birmingham. 

Watson is a single father with two children in the Pell City School System. He said he has a deep respect and love for his community and is excited about its continued growth.

During the evening, candidates running for both Pell City Mayor and City Council positions will be given an opportunity to speak directly to voters. Only candidates representing contested positions were invited to participate.

For more or to submit topics you would like to see candidates discuss during the debate, contact Kristen Dale at the News-Aegis at (205) 884-2310 or email kdale@newsaegis.com.

Committed to participate:

Pell City Mayor

Joe Funderburg (Incumbent)

Bill Pruitt

City Council District 1

Jay Jenkins (Incumbent)

David Arnett

City Council District 3

Dot Wood (Incumbent)

Blaine Henderson

City Council District 4

Sharon Thomas (Incumbent)

Jason Mitcham

City Council District 5

Terry Templin (Incumbent)

Jud Alverson

Phil Roberson