Two new alderwomen among Board members sworn in
By Randy Bell
Clintons 2025-29 City officials (pictured left to right) include Alderman at Large Robert Chapman, Ward 1 Alderwoman Karen Godfrey, Ward 2 Alderwoman TJ McSparrin, Mayor Will Purdie, Ward 3 Alderwoman Amanda Jones, Ward 4 Alderman Chip Wilbanks, Ward 5 Alderwoman Beverly Oliver and Ward 6 Alderman James Lott.
The two newest members of the Clinton Board of Aldermen will bring to the job fresh ideas and a familiarity with the way local government and businesses operate. Ward 2 Alderwoman T.J. McSparrin spent eleven years as executive director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. And the other newcomer on the Board, Ward 3’s Amanda Jones, formerly served as the City’s director of communications. McSparrin and Jones were sworn in, along with their fellow Board members and Mayor Will Purdie, on July 1.
McSparrin ran unopposed after Jim Martin decided not to seek re-election to the Ward 2 post. Jones defeated two challengers in the April primary to win the Ward 3 seat vacated by Robert Chapman, who was elected Alderman at Large.
McSparrin says her experience with the Chamber gives her “a foundation to understand what makes Clinton a great place to live and what it needs to grow.”
And, once it became clear that she would be joining the Board, she started gathering information about City operations.
“I met with all of the department directors and learned what they are doing presently in their department, what their aspirations were for the future and what barriers they faced. I started talking to constituents in my ward to see what they felt were the pressing issues.”
McSparrin’s top priorities will be public safety, infrastructure, education and economic development.
Jones says she’s been doing a lot of reading since the election to get ready for her new responsibilities.
“And I’ve talked to a lot of people, just within the ward, and heard their concerns and things they would like to see happen in the city.”
Having served previously as Clinton’s spokeswoman, Jones is well acquainted with many of the issues the City faces.
“Obviously, there’s a lot that I probably won’t know that I’ll have to learn, but I do feel comfortable stepping into the role.”
During the swearing-in ceremony, each of those on the Board spoke briefly, including the five returning members.
Alderman at Large Robert Chapman thanked “those who voted and those who held me accountable.”
Ward 1 Alderwoman Karen Godrey said, “I feel like we accomplished so much in our first term, and there’s so much to look forward to.”
Ward 4 Alderman Chip Wilbanks offered this comment: “I look forward to working with our new mayor and the Board as we continue to improve the city that I love so much.”
Beverly Oliver, who represents Ward 5, said, “I am excited about our new term, some new faces on our Board and our new mayor. And I think this will be a great four years.”
And Ward 6 Alderman James Lott said, “I look forward to this next term and am excited about the growth and the work to be done.”
The Board members will be getting a raise as they begin their work. The previous Board voted to increase the pay from $15,000 annually to $20,000, effective with the new term. The mayor’s salary jumps from $80,000 to $100,000.
