Screws, Upshaw face-off in Russell County Commissioner District 7 Dem primary
In the race for the District 7 County Commission seat, Russell County Commissioner Larry Screws faces former commissioner J.D. Upshaw in the March 1 Democratic primary.
The winner will face Republican Wanda King Lamb in the Nov. 8 General Election. District 7 is the largest geographic area in the county and includes the town of Hurtsboro and communities of Seale, Pittsview, Hatchechubbee, Twin Springs and Cottonton.
With almost two terms completed on the county commission, Screws is attempting a bid for a third term.
"I think that I've done a pretty good job in District 7 and we got some things done with the roads, an ambulance building, road paving and that type of thing," he said. "I would like to see that continue."
Using contact information presented when he qualified for the office, Upshaw wasn't reached by telephone and he didn't return repeated calls for comment on the contest.
Screws said he is most proud of the ambulance building placed in Seale to reduce the time for emergency service in the region. The county also continues in its effort to pave 1.5-2 miles of unpaved roads in the district.
In a district where some people have left, Screws said economic issues are high on his list. The county hasn't recovered from job losses in Hatchechubbee and Hurtsboro during the 1990s.
"In order to work, they had to drive from Phenix City to Columbus," Screws said. "That kind of put a hardship on folks, especially when gas was almost up to $4 a gallon."
Screws would like to see more industry in the district.
"If we can do that, we can stabilize District 7 and raise families," he said. "If not, then you know we're just going to have a lot of area down there with no people and no employment."
If Screws is returned to the commission, he said voters can expect more of what they're already getting.
"I'm working for them," he said. "This is not a full-time job. I work with my voters and whatever they need, I want to supply it if at all possible. I can't do anything that would put me in jeopardy but I can do things that they have a need for or some type of project. I stand ready to help them."
The biggest question Screws hears from most residents focuses on road paving. "If we can get people off dirt roads they will buy a better car and property values will go up," he said. "In the long run, it helps the Russell County economy. If they buy a better car, that means that we get some of the revenue. In the process, everybody wins."
Looking back over his years as an educator, Screws said he has always served people and helped children. That's one reason he should be re-elected for a third term.
"I'm looking for no glory or a pedestal to be put on," he said. "I'm just use to helping people. I might not be able to do everything they want but they can expect me to return a phone call to make their quality of life much better."
BIOS
Name: Larry D. Screws (Incumbent)
Hometown: Pittsview, Ala.
Age: 64
Education: Graduated from Pittsview High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Ala., and an education specialist degree in school administration from Troy University in Montgomery, Ala.
Experience: Served almost two terms on the Russell County Commission including vice chairman and was a principal for about 25 years before retiring at Mount Olive Elementary School with 36 years as an educator.
Family: Married with two girls.
Name: J.D. Upshaw
Hometown: Pittsview, Ala.
Age: 69
This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Screws, Upshaw face-off in Russell County Commissioner District 7 Dem primary ."