CullmanTimes.com, Cullman, Alabama

Local News

June 14, 2009

New era begins

By Trent Moore

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  • New Dodge City Mayor Tawana Canada holds a photo of her late husband as she is sworn in by town attorney Hugh Harris at Thursday night’s town council meeting. She said it was her late husband who encouraged her to run for town council. Canada was appointed after former mayor Perry Ray stepped down for health reasons. Trent Moore

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As of Thursday night, a new era began for the town of Dodge City.

Council president Tawana Canada was appointed mayor of the town, replacing former Mayor Perry Ray, who stepped down due to health issues in May 2009.

Canada, 55, marks Dodge City’s second mayor, as Ray had won every election since the town was incorporated in 1994. Canada has previously served four terms on the town council.

“Thank you for your confidence in me,” Canada said.

Council member Inez McDonald said she believed Canada would make an excellent mayor.

“We really miss Perry (Ray), but I’m sure Tawana will do a great job,” she said.

As mayor, Canada said she has a handful of projects she would like to see completed in the coming years.

“My priorities right now are the safety of our citizens and economic stability,” she said. “I want to keep trying to get a red light in at County Road 216 and Highway 69, and I want to work to attract more business and job opportunities to Dodge City.”

Canada said her real-life and previous work experiences make her qualified for the job.

“I’ve been a house wife and mother of four, so I can budget very well,” she said. “I’ve also had some management jobs at hotels in the Cullman area.”

Before serving on the council, Canada was captain of the Dodge City rapid responders and volunteered with the Dodge City volunteer fire department.

“My late husband urged me to run (for the council) and I had his picture in my hand as I was sworn in,” she said. “I felt I could do more through working with the council.”

The town council approved Canada’s appointment by a 3-0 margin, with Canada and council member Ervin Chumblee abstaining.

When asked why he abstained from voting, Chumblee said, “I just don’t think she ought to be mayor.” He declined to elaborate further.

The council also:

‰ Lowered the emergency situation funds available for the mayor from $7,499 to $5,000.

‰ Approved $450 in signage for the town park.

‰ Approved $3,000 to purchase a new computer for the town hall. The new computer will replace a nine-year-old computer.

‰ Donated $100 to Brook’s Place, The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, Inc .

‰ Approved $60,123 to pave H&H Road. The work should begin in the next few months. Good Hope Contracting will handle the project.

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.

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