Eddie Lowe kicks off re-election campaign

More than 300 people packed the meeting room in the Phenix City Courtyard Marriott on Monday night to kickoff Mayor Eddie Lowe’s re-election campaign.

The large room was full of Lowe’s supporters, some wearing T-shirts that read, “Let’s Stay Positively Phenix City” as they chanted “four more years” for the city’s first black mayor.

His pastor, close friend and former Phenix City Council member Noble Williams called Lowe the best mayor the city has ever had.

“He has kissed every baby in this city and he has been to every barbecue and weenie roast,” Williams said. “And he does it because he loves this city.”

Lowe, who won a three-way race two years ago that included popular council member Max Wilkes without a runoff, faces opposition this time from Jerry Barbaree, a retired hospital executive.

Williams alluded to the racial undertones that started two years ago when the Council fired City Manager Wallace Hunter on a 3-2 vote that Lowe voted against. Hunter, the city’s first black city manager, was reinstated two weeks later on another 3-2 vote in which white council member Jim Cannon changed his vote.

“Eddie does not see things as black and white,” Williams said. “He sees them as right and wrong. There are just as many black folks mad at him sometimes as there are white folks. But he is what I want as my mayor, a man of character and integrity.”

Lowe said his first term has been successful, and he points to a number of accomplishments across the city:

<bullet> The city reserve fund has increased to 116 days, a 42 percent increase.

<bullet> The city’s debt has been reduced by 5.4 percent.

<bullet> New police precincts have been added on the north and south ends of the city.

<bullet> Since September 2012, 30 new retail and commercial businesses have opened in Phenix City, creating 320 additional jobs and more than $31 million in investment.

<bullet> Two new industries have located in Phenix City and seven have expanded, creating 302 additional jobs and more than $55 million in investment.

<bullet> Created the Positively Phenix City promotional campaign.

<bullet> Started the Mayor’s Ball charity event for college scholarships for local students, raising nearly $200,000 over three years and assisting more than 70 students.

<bullet> Has pushed through riverfront development projects, including a new downtown parking deck, Courtyard Marriott hotel and downtown Troy University campus.

“I will make no bones about this, I have been faithful to my community and my city,” Lowe said. “... If people say they don’t see progress, they just don’t want to see it.”

This story was originally published June 20, 2016 at 7:31 PM with the headline "Eddie Lowe kicks off re-election campaign."