Residents in Wards 1, 3, 5 and 6 will vote to elect their representatives for the Auburn City Council for the 2014-2018 term on Aug. 26.
Clemon Byrd, Ward 1
Byrd is a graduate of the Alabama Military Academy and an Afghanistan War veteran. He spent 15 years working with the Auburn Police Division as a police officer, corporal, training officer, police sergeant and D.A.R.E. school resource officer.
Byrd graduated from Auburn High School in 1995. He received his B.S. in criminal justice from Faulkner University. He is also a graduate of the Montgomery Police Academy.
If elected, Byrd would like to develop mentor programs for Auburn's youth, build a positive relationship between residents of Ward 1 and public safety officials, create a job fair for the community and start a gun turn-in program to assist removal of illegal guns.
Arthur Dowdell, Ward 1
Dowdell is running for re-election for Ward 1. He was first elected in 1994 and has represented Ward 1 since then for every term except one.Dowdell is an Auburn native and served in the Army.
While serving on City Council, he helped create student communications during City Council meetings.
"We want to continue that rapport because it's the best way to know what the students want," Dowdell said.
Dowdell is a minister and civil rights activist. If re-elected, he hopes to improve the relationship between the police force and residents, work toward the city hiring more minorities and ensure that students are safe downtown.
Beth Witten, Ward 3
Witten has lived in Auburn since 1997 and is the managing partner of the marketing and event management firm Blue Turtle Creative.
Witten serves on the Auburn Chamber of Commerce board. She also coordinates the Auburn-Opelika Air Show, honoring veterans and raising money for aviation education.
If elected, Witten said she would focus on funding for facilities and resources at Auburn City Schools. She would also like to take the steps needed to create more historic preservation areas and recruit more retail businesses.
"We need a stronger partnership with the University and student organizations," Witten said. "I think we have a good base for a relationship, but it could be stronger.
Wendell McLain, Ward 3
McLain is a retired Brigadier General with the Alabama National Guard and a veteran of the Gulf War. He worked for Alabama Power for 38 years and received his B.S. from Jacksonville State University and his master's degree from Troy University. If elected, McLain said he would improve handicap accessibility around Auburn, improve streets and infrastructure and recruit new industries and jobs by partnering with small businesses.
McLain has three children that graduated from Auburn University and six grandchildren in the Auburn public school systems.
"The city and Auburn University have had a long, good relationship," McLain said. "We want to make it easy for students when they come here to get relocated and settled in."
Robin Kelley, Ward 5
Kelley is running for his third re-election for Ward 5 and has been a representative of the wardfor two terms.
Kelley received his B.A. in political science and government from Virginia Wesleyan College.
He recieved his master's in public administration and master's in community planning from Auburn University and his Juris Doctorate at the University of Alabama.
He is bar certified in both Alabama and Georgia.
Kelley has also served in the Army Reserve for eight years.
If re-elected, Kelley said he hopes to continue improving the quality of life in Auburn and make it a better place for students to stay and raise a family. He also wants to improve outdoor recreational activities for the city and inlcude more family-friendly events.
Lynda Tremaine, Ward 5
Tremaine is a fifth-generation Auburn resident.
She was a teacher for 24 years and recently retired after serving as principal of Wrights Mill Road Elementary for 16 years. She said her experience as an educator has prepared her for a seat on the council.
If elected, she would like to work on getting more retail and businesses to move into downtown Auburn.
She would also focus on ensuring the city's growth doesn't affect the efficiency of its public safety officials.
Tremaine owns and rents three houses to Auburn University students.
She said she believes the city needs to work more closely with the University. Tremaine said she believes working with the University is important because it is central to the city's economy.
Brad Donnelly, Ward 6
Donnelly is an Auburn native with a long history in public safety. He has worked for the Auburn Police Department, the Lee County Sherriff's Department, the U.S. Secret Service under President Ronald Reagan and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Donnelly also has a strong connection to Auburn University. His father was a professor and researcher in plant breeding for 40 years and his son recently graduated in criminology.
According to Donnelly, residents have been telling him the current City Council is like "the good ole' boys." He said he believes this is because they have no opposition.
If elected, he would like to fight for a two-term limit in City Council, encourage business growth, balance the budget and stay better connected with his constituents.
Dick Phelan, Ward 6
Phelan is running for re-election.
He has served on City Council for 12 years, and served as mayor pro tempore for the past eight years.
He graduated from the Naval Academy, served as a Navy pilot and was the Commanding Officer of the Naval ROTC Unit at Auburn University.
He is currently a financial planner for Wilson Investment Group.
Phelan said he believes his years of experience with City Council will benefit the citizens if he is reelected.
"It takes a couple years to get oriented," Phelan said. "I believe my history has really helped me with that."
Phelan would focus on bringing in new businesses, as well as making Auburn an attractive place for businesses to stay.
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