BY DAVID BELL
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
VALLEY — Residents in the city of Valley had the opportunity recently to meet and talk to candidates running for mayor and city council positions. The meet-and-greet event was held July 7 at the Valley Community Center, hosted by the Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce.
Leonard Riley
Leonard Riley, who has served as Mayor of Valley since 2012, is seeking reelection to a fourth term which, he says, will be his last.
“Since I’ve been mayor, we’ve purchased about 1,800 acres of land for development as commercial property, and we’ve already sold 300 acres for future business locations,” said Riley. “Ten new businesses, employing 1,000 people, have already been added to our local economy.
“We’ve also spent approximately $8 million dollars to resurface roads and streets and are currently working on a road to connect 30th Street to Highway 29,” Riley said. “All the streets in our cemeteries have been paved and we’ve added 1,300 new burial plots.”
“Furthermore, new recreational and leisure projects have included a playground and dog park at Shawmut Airport, and we’re working to develop a park and playground at the old Fairfax Mill site. So, we’ve done a lot over the past 15 years, but there’s still much more to be done,” Riley said. “That’s why I’m asking the people of Valley to re-elect me for one more term.”
Allison Banks
Riley faces opposition from Valley native Allison Banks, a 2021 graduate of Valley High School.
“I grew up in the Riverview community and was involved in various local recreation activities,” said Banks. “Unfortunately, you don’t see much of that any more the way it used to be. I’d like to see more opportunities for young people to interact with each other.
“Looking ahead, I’d like to see our city continue economic development by attracting businesses, support entrepreneurs and small businesses already here, and development enrichment programs,” Banks said. “We also need to create opportunities for connection and engagement, build trust and transparency, improve quality of life and address challenges through leadership and empowering the citizens.”
Jim Clark
Jim Clark has served as the District 1 representative on the Valley City Council since 2019, when he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Paul Story, who was elected as Chambers County Probate Judge. Clark then won election to the seat in 2020 and is now seeking another term.
“We certainly want to get the new high school built,” Clark said. “The city donated the land and a lot of infrastructure to help the school board with construction cost.
“Beyond that, we’re constantly trying to bring in new businesses and industries. We’re hoping in the next couple of months to have construction started for a new shopping district on Fob James Drive. We also currently have a European business looking to possibly locate in Valley. We’re one of three cities being considered for a manufacturing plant.
“We’ve got a good council and a good mayor who’s done a really good job for us, and I’d like to continue being a part of that effort,” Clark said.
Bo Colley
Valley native Bo Colley is opposing Clark for the District 1 seat, something he has tried twice before. Yet, Colley said he believes the third time will be a charm.
“It’s very important that we have a new county high school coming to Valley,” Colley said. “It’s a very pivotal time for our city. I truly believe we need young, energetic leadership. So, in my opinion, with the land and infrastructure we currently have in place, we can make this a very prosperous place for the citizens of Valley.”
Jim Jones
The District 2 representative on the Valley City Council is Jim Jones, who is unopposed in his bid for reelection to an eighth consecutive term.
“I’m very passionate about the Fairfax community and the city of Valley,” Jones said. “I want to see continued growth, including development of the old Fairfax Mill property into a new city park.
“I’d also like to see more amenities associated with arts and history, things that people can go to and visit. We need to create more opportunities around our river, which is underutilized, and strive to recapture the unity that once existed in our communities before the mills shut down,” Jones said.
Randall Maddux
District 3 representative Randall Maddux is also unopposed for reelection.
“I want to see the projects we’ve already started come to fruition,” said Maddux. “My district, in particular, is growing exponentially. The housing market is really hopping right now. Fifteen new homes have already been constructed in Phase I and we’re looking at another 25 or so in Phase II. We also have some businesses and industries that are currently interested in locating here if our national economy stays strong.
“It has been my pleasure to serve the people in District 3 and I look forward to working with them another four years,” Maddux said.
Marquetta Madden
District 4 representative Marquetta Madden was appointed to the council in 2011 to fill the unexpired term of her cousin, Elizabeth Lyons. She was elected the following year and is now seeking a fourth term.
“It has been very rewarding for me to serve in this position with the prayers and support of the citizens in District 4,” Madden said. “As a council, a lot has been accomplished, but there’s more that we would like to get done. I just want to be a part of working closely with the mayor and my fellow council members to make sure our city of Valley continues to grow and prosper.”
Madden faces opposition from Valley native and teacher/entrepreneur Desmond Reece.
Desmond Reece
“I am a server first, a servant-leader who likes to put my hands in the fire,” said Reece. “My goal is to build unity by going out and meeting people, breaking down that wall and coming together, not to where everybody can be the same but to include diversity.”
I had never thought about politics until someone asked me if I would consider it,” Reece said. “After giving it a lot of thought and prayer, I felt the Lord leading me in this direction.”
Reece is currently a teacher and assistant track and football coach at Troup County High School in LaGrange. He also owns a gym in Riverview known as Elite Academy and is the assistant pastor at New Life Ministries.
Kendall Andrews
District 5 representative Kendall Andrews, who is unopposed for reelection, did not participate in the event.
Henry Cooper
Henry Cooper, who has represented District 6 since 2004, faces opposition from two challengers in his bid for another term.
“I’m running for reelection because our current mayor and council have a great working relationship,” said Cooper. “We’ve done a lot of things together and there’s still a lot on the table. I want to see those things brought to fruition.
“I’m hoping for a better voter turnout this election. Unless it’s a presidential election, turnout is usually very low,” Cooper said. “People often talk about what they want to happen, but unless they vote, it’s hard to make that come to pass. I want to see people get more involved with what’s going on in the community and relate more to their elected officials.”
Jolanda Barnes
Jolanda Barnes, who describes herself as a public servant and proud Valley resident, is one of the candidates seeking to unseat Cooper.
“I’m running for city council to bring transparent leadership, fiscal responsibility and a strong voice for families and neighborhoods,” said Barnes. “I have nearly 20 years in accounting, HR and community service, including as a senior auditor for one of the world’s most prestigious public accounting firms. I have also been a nonprofit leader and served as finance chair at my church, so I know how to manage budgets, solve problems and serve people.”
If elected, Barnes said her areas of highest priority will include responsible spending, stronger neighborhoods, better city services, economic opportunity and faith and family values.
“Valley deserves a leader who combines real-world experience with a heart for service,” Barnes said. “I’m not a career politician. I’m a neighbor, a worker and a woman of faith who is ready to serve with honesty, skill and commitment.”
L. C. Marshall
Air Force veteran and successful entrepreneur L. C. Marshall is the other candidate seeking election in District 6. He describes himself as a devoted community servant who brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the people of Valley.
“I spent 33 years as a Network Manager at Bell South/AT&T and 20 years as the owner of CDL Service, a hot shot trucking business,” Marshall said. “I know how to manage complex systems and lead teams. I also own two thriving locations of ‘All Things and More’ hair and beauty supply.”
Marshall is also a former educator in the Rock Hill, South Carolina school system and holder of an MBA. He is committed to education, business growth and empowering the next generation.
“I’ve spent my life serving my country, my businesses, my church and my community,” Marshall said. “Now, I’m ready to serve the people of District 6 with integrity, experience and vision.”
Jimmy Gilson
Jimmy Gilson, the longest-serving member on the Valley City Council, has represented District 7 for almost 30 years, and faces no opposition in his bid for reelection.
“I want to be the oldest person who’s ever held this position, and I’m getting there,” Gilson said. “I love the job. It’s very interesting, and I look at it as a continual learning process.
“I want to see new business development on both sides of Fob James Drive, and continued growth throughout our city.”
In addition to his service on the council, Gilson is the pastor of Sandy Ridge Global Methodist Church in LaFayette.
Elections for Valley mayor and city council will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 26.
