Re-elect Kenneth Gulley

On Tuesday Bessemer voters have a chance to continue the leadership that has brought us from the brink four years ago. When Ken Gulley became mayor in 2010, Bessemer was $20 million in debt and our government was not sure how they would make payroll or pay utilities or pay for the other basic services that keep a city rolling.

2010 - Mayor Gulley being sworn in 

Look where we are today. The debt was paid off, and we have even been able to add 33 new police officers to the police force, meaning meeting payroll is not a problem (and hasn't been for years).

Four years ago I listed requirements for a candidate for mayor for Bessemer. These still hold true.

Number one was  We need a mayor who understands city finances and how to take control of the budget. Mayor Gulley has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he understands the city finances and has taken us from in the RED to in the BLACK and has the city on solid financial ground.

Number 2 was We need a mayor who has a vision for the city’s future and a plan to get us there. All candidates have a vision. Mayor Gulley wants downtown revitalized. He wants to continue to bring new businesses to the city. He wants opportunity for young people and programs for seniors and is building a new recreational center to help provide that.

Number 3 was The mayor needs to be a person who can get along with city council and who can share information freely (among themselves and with the public). We all remember the infighting that went on between the previous administration and council. We now have a council that works together and a mayor who respects the council and works with them. Several council members have indicated to me that it would be best if the entire council and mayor could be re-elected (this will not happen as Sarah Belcher is retiring this term and new council person will take her place).

You can read the rest of the list, but you get the picture. Mayor Gulley met my qualifications four years ago, and still does.

Now those who have followed me know that I am a firm believer in electing educated people who at least hold a college degree. That doesn't mean there are not exceptions, but Ken Gulley does have a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. Maybe that is why he was able to take control of the city's finances.

At the recent Mayoral Political Forum the three candidates for mayor presented their respective cases. Without calling them out on particular issues, I can say that neither of Mayor Gulley's opponents have a clear understanding of how a city is run. You cannot take bond money that the city has secured for a particular project and use it for another purpose. You cannot re-purpose a building that is in disrepair and in a flood zone because it would be difficult or impossible to secure funding for such a project. You cannot buy the YMCA and make it into a city recreational facility. 

One of the most obvious reasons to vote for Ken Gulley is: There is NO reason not to Vote for him. He has not done anything questionable. Bessemer is not dying, as is believed by other candidates. Look at your life here in Bessemer. Are you better off than you were 4 years ago? Is Bessemer better off than it was four years ago. I can state that I am better off (even having lost a home) than I was, and I can look around and see that Bessemer is better off (new business and expanding business have brought jobs to our city), crime is down, and people seem happier (part of that may be because we are getting further and further from the Bush years). The choice is clear.

Vote for Ken Gulley on August 26, 2014 for mayor.