Represent Your City Wiggins-Lucedale

Familiar faces take oath to serve Lucedale for another 4 years

LUCEDALE, Mississippi -- Lucedale residents welcomed their tried and true Board of Aldermen and mayor back for another four years of service this afternoon. During an installation ceremony at City Hall, Mayor Doug Lee and aldermen Carrie Moulds, Lloyd Welford Jr., Jason Martin, Payton Dudley and Louis Valentine took the oath of office. All of the leaders are familiar faces to Lucedale residents, having served previously. Welford was honored Monday afternoon because he has served the most consecutive terms in the city's history. "Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the city of Lucedale," Lee told Welford before handing over a commemorative plaque. Welford is now in his seventh term, after first being elected to the board in 1989. It's Lee's fifth time in the mayor's seat, but it's his first time to serve a consecutive term. Lee thanked his supporters after taking his oath. "It's a pleasure to serve beside these aldermen you've elected," he told attendees, noting he looks forward to another four years of progress and growth. Moulds, now in her fifth term, said her top priority for this administration is the same as always -- "to be committed to honest political service to all the citizens." "Another priority will be to continue working with the city to support our youth," she said while campaigning earlier this year. "Also, I really want to get bathrooms at the community park and build more sidewalks." Valentine is in his sixth term and is focused on completing the sports complex expansion "because we're getting overloaded," he said. Funding street improvements and replacing drainage pipes are also priorities, Valentine said, as is developing water and sewage infrastructure plans because the existing systems "have got a little age on them." Martin, who first got into office by filling a portion of an unexpired term that was vacated, has said his "number one goal is our baseball and soccer complex. "I just want to improve the existing complex," he said. "We have a bunch of kids and not a good enough complex for them. It's outdated, and I'd like to invest some money into it so we can begin hosting tournaments. The economic impact there is major." Dudley, in his sixth term, said his goal as a conservative is to continue to "spend a lot of time working on the financial end of the city," he said. "Our city is in strong financial position, and I'd like to keep it that way." He'll also continue to look out for the interests of the city employees, he said. Welford has said his top priorities this term are simply "to continue to serve the people and to make the infrastructure -- streets, sewer and water -- better."

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