Ward 2
Incumbent Charles E. “Jim” Hall, who retired from Combustion Engineer-ing, faces Harold Silcox, director of maintenance and operations at Health-South of Chattanooga.
Seventy-three-year-old Hall said his cooperation with other council mem-bers has helped Fort Oglethorpe take “large steps towards the future.” “Many businesses have moved into the city,” he said. “The streets and sewers have improved. The fire and police departments have been able to keep pace with the population’s growth. Stephenson Park has become a great recreational facility for the public, and Fort Oglethorpe has a beautiful City Hall campus.” Hall, who said he seeks reelection because he cares about the city. He makes informed, intelligent decisions and believes residents need his “honest approach” to government.
He and his wife of 53 years, Maxine, have four children, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He has lived in Fort Oglethorpe 36 years.
James Harold Silcox, 62, said, “I feel that the growth of Fort Oglethorpe has been a plus for the area, but could create unforeseen, long-range challenges for the city if the growth is not planned and managed in the best interests of all the citizens, not just a few special interest groups. The challenge is to give top priority to the needs and issues of the citizens of Fort Oglethorpe and to provide the best services possible in the most economical way.” Silcox previously served on the City Council from 1992 to 1997. He said he has also served on the city’s Planning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission. He also served 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, with two tours of combat in Vietnam, and received several military decorations. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Alhambra Temple, Lodge No. 304 F&M, Order of the Purple Heart and National Rifle Association. The 17-year city resident is married his high school sweetheart, Pat. They have one daughter.
Ward 3
Incumbent Alan Lee Marshall, an industrial electrician for Shaw Indus-tries, must defeat retired business manager and former mayor Doyle Camp to retain his seat. Marshall, 41, said he is “a man of integrity and high moral standards.” He is “still the right choice for the people (of Fort Oglethorpe),” said the industrial electrician, who is filling the unexpired seat of Mayor Judson Burkhart.
His reelection platform includes preserving the city’s historic district, developing a new recreational park, upgrading older sewer systems, developing a new industrial park, building the Phase III of the new Northwest Georgia (sewer) Interceptor and continuing to serve Fort Oglethorpe residents, he said. He lists, among the accomplishments during his term as councilman, extending homestead exemptions to all homeowners, securing the lowest water contract with Tennessee American Water Co., stopping forced property annexations, correcting storm water runoff on Delores Drive and installing many feet of sewer lines.
Marshall and his wife of 18 years, Angie Dunaway, have two sons. He said he has lived in the city 30 years.
The City Council represents all Fort Oglethorpe residents and should vote the way the majority of residents want them to, “working in a spirit of unity or purpose,” said Doyle Camp, 72, who has lived in the city 45 years. Camp said the City Council should work together to make the city a better place to live and work. He wants the community to be proud of and trust in its government. He proposes taking a close look at each department to get the most for tax dollars spent. He wants the City Council to meet with all department heads and the city manager to set goals and priorities and work to accomplish them, he said. He also wants to keep the city clean and streets safe, he said.
Robert S. “Bob” Sargent, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning con-tractor, qualified to run, but has withdrawn from the Ward 3 race.
Ward 5
Raymond L. Hughes, who now holds the Ward 5 post, is leaving the post and moving to Alabama. Former councilman Ronnie Cobb and retired teacher Peggy H. Stanfield are vying to take that seat. Ronnie Cobb, 55, said giving residents a fair, receptive and honest voice in local government is a central plank in his campaign. Cobb previously held a council seat from 1996 to 1999. Cobb said, if elected, his priories would include monitoring city spending by cutting department and city-wide operating costs to stay within budget. He also proposes using SPLOST, special-purpose local-option sales tax, to help residents with sewer, flooding and water problems. He is a licensed auctioneer and appraiser, as well as a certified medical technician with experience in the Tennessee National Guard. He is a member of Fort Oglethorpe American Legion, Fort Oglethorpe Tompkins Masonic Lodge No. 466 and Fort Oglethorpe Baptist Church. The 11-year city resident recently retired from Tennessee Valley Authority, where he worked 28 years as a pipefitter foreman, welder and investment recovery specialist. He and his wife, Jan, have two sons, a step-son and a step-daughter. “I believe we need new leadership that will stand up for (the people of Fort Oglethorpe),” said community activist Peggy Stanfield. Stanfield is the widow of former Municipal Court Judge Marion L. Stanfield and has lived in Fort Oglethorpe more than 40 years, she said. She taught at Fort Oglethorpe Elementary School. The 67-year-old candidate said she helped revive the Labor Day at the Post celebration, started the city Christmas parade, organized the local museum, has kept the city’s scrapbook for six years and served as chairwoman for the city’s 50th anniversary. She has been involved in various other activities, but now devotes much of her time to the Seniors and Friends Program, she said
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