Arthur Day to seek re-election to Phenix City council

Phenix City Councilmember and Mayor Pro-tem Arthur Day said on Thursday he plans to seek a second term in the August municipal election.

Day, 70, retired from Snap-On Tools, where he was an assistant manager. He ran successfully four years ago for the District 3 seat, which covers most of south Phenix City. He appears to be the only one of the four first-term councilmembers who will seek re-election. District 1 representative Jim Cannon and District 2 councilmember Gail Head have said they will not be on the ballot this year. District 3 councilmember Johnny Barfield was appointed earlier this year after Chris Blackshear resigned to take a seat in the Alabama Legislature.

Day defeated Arttie Pontez Sumbry in an October 2012 runoff to claim the seat that had previously been held by Sumbry’s father, Arthur Sumbry.

“There are a lot of things on the books I want to clean up and that is why I am running again,” Day said.

He said he wanted to work to get businesses such as restaurants and prescription drug stores on the south side. He also said there was a potential business that could locate in Phenix Industrial Park, though he declined to name it because of ongoing discussions.

Day was elected mayor pro-tem when Blackshear left for the statehouse.

“I am very proud and honored to be in that position,” Day said.

He pointed to a number of accomplishments by the current council, including a new water park on the south side, the riverfront development, the Courtyard Marriott and the new Troy University campus.

“We have done a lot of good things,” Day said.

There is currently no announced opposition against Day. The election for all four council seats and mayor will be Tuesday, Aug. 23. Qualifying runs from July 5 through July 19.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 2:25 PM with the headline "Arthur Day to seek re-election to Phenix City council."