Clinton’s new leaders to assume office on July 1

By Randy Bell

A new mayor and two new members of the Board of Aldermen will join Clinton’s leadership team on July 1 as they’re sworn in following the general election. Will Purdie will take over as mayor, and T.J. McSparrin will become the new alderwoman in Ward 2, while Amanda Jones will do so in Ward 3. All three are Republicans. Purdie, McSparrin, Jones and five incumbent Board members will take their oaths of office during a brief ceremony.

The mayor-elect was unopposed in the campaign to succeed Phil Fisher, who announced last September that he wouldn’t run for a fourth term. McSparrin was the only candidate to seek the Ward 2 seat given up by Jim Martin. Jones won the right to represent Ward 3 by defeating two challengers in the Republican primary in April. She was unopposed in the general election June 3. Two current Board members were reelected without opposition—Ward 1 Alderwoman Karen Godfrey, a Republican, and Ward 6 Alderman James Lott, a Democrat.

Republican Alderman Chip Wilbanks defeated Democrat Kevin Anderson in the Ward 4 general election, Republican Alderwoman Beverly Oliver beat Independent Hayden King in Ward 5 and Republican Robert Chapman was elected Alderman at Large, defeating Dr. James Warren, a Democrat. Chapman had served previously as Ward 3 alderman but decided to seek the citywide position, which had been held by Ricki Garrett, who didn’t run for reelection.

Wilbanks said, “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve Ward 4 and the City of Clinton four more years. I look forward to working with our new mayor, Will Purdie, and our new Board to continue to move Clinton forward.”

Oliver issued this statement after winning reelection: “I’m very excited to continue what our Board started last term. We have accomplished a lot and will continue to work toward completion. Ward 5 is a very special ward, and I’m so honored and humbled to continue to represent this great ward. I’m always available for my constituents and will seek out your opinions and expertise on different issues and topics.”

Chapman offered these post-election comments: “I’m humbled and excited that I get to be Clinton’s next Alderman at Large. Over the past three years, I’ve been committed to representing Ward 3, and I’ll continue to have the same passion in representing the entire municipality. We’ve built some great relationships, and I plan to do the same thing for the next four years. We need to move Clinton forward in order to make it a city ready for the future.”