(WHNT) — Municipal elections will be held across Alabama on Aug. 26.
Voters in North Alabama will be asked to decide on mayoral races, city council races and, in some communities, school board races.
In order to provide voters with detailed information about the candidates running for mayor in 12 North Alabama cities, News 19 sent out a number of candidate questionnaires starting in mid-July.
We are going to post the answers we received over the next 10 days. Not every candidate responded, and that will be noted.
Some answers will also be edited for length, grammar or spelling reasons, but otherwise the content will be published as submitted. Viewer feedback is always welcome.
In Boaz, Incumbent David Dyar is facing challengers Jana Pair and Tim Walker. Despite multiple attempts to contact, we did not receive a set of answers from Dyar or Pair.
Walker provided answers to the questions below:
1. Please provide a short biography
Walker: I am a lifelong resident of Boaz with a rich history of community involvement, having been a business owner for 15 years and serving as Mayor of Boaz from 2000 to 2016. Currently, I’m in sales in Boaz. My family ties to the community are strong, with my wife, Michelle, teaching at Boaz High School, and our son married and living in Tennessee.
2. What led you to run for Mayor?
Walker: I am running for mayor again because of 16 years of successful municipal management, which included significant achievements in business and industry recruitment and community development, notably with a new public library and Senior Center to serve the public in cultural, educational, and fun activities.
3. What will be your top priority if you are elected?
Walker: My top priorities for Boaz are:
- Fostering growth through new business and industrial opportunities while preserving the town’s small-town atmosphere.
- Strengthening partnerships with vital local organizations, including schools, Snead State College, Marshall Medical Center, local utilities, the Chamber of Commerce, and other civic organizations.
- Implementing proven recruitment strategies by building relationships to attract businesses and industries that enhance the overall quality of life in Boaz.
4. What are the main challenges currently facing the city? How do you plan to address those issues?
Walker: No reply provided.
5. Do you have a personal hero? Who is it and why?
Walker: I draw inspiration from personal heroes, including your wife, who tirelessly serves as a high school Special Education teacher and Cross Country Coach, and my ultimate hero, Jesus Christ.
6. Tell us something about you that might surprise people.
Walker: Since leaving office, I’ve continued to develop skills to help me in the Mayor’s job, such as obtaining a real estate license with the Alabama Real Estate Commission, and maintaining crucial business and industry contacts. I am also actively involved as the Choir Director at St. Paul Methodist Church in Boaz.
7. Why should people vote for you? What makes you stand out from the other candidates in the race?
Walker: Even after 8 1/2 years out of office, my dedication to improving Boaz remains unwavering. I am excited about the town’s potential and believe I bring a unique combination of experience, a deep understanding of Boaz’s needs, and a proven track record. I am motivated, “prayed up,” and ready to lead the community forward.
News 19 will be posting more candidate Q&As for mayoral races across the Tennessee Valley in the coming days. You can visit Your Local Election Headquarters to see Q&As with candidates in mayoral races in other cities.
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