An ancient Babylonian Jewish leader, Hiller the Elder said, "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?" I have always declared I was not interested in political office and would never run for such. However, when I became aware of four of the six seats for Milton City Council were being decided in this election were without an incumbent, I thought of the abbreviated version of this saying, “If not me, then who and if not now, then when.”
City government’s essential functions are to provide for its citizens’ public health, safety and welfare. Not their personal health, safety and welfare. It must protect the public health by providing clean water, effective garbage and sewer disposal and have laws and ordinances to prevent unsanitary conditions to exist. It must have effective police and fire departments to provide for public safety. And, it must provide for public welfare by creating an environment in which the citizens can thrive economically. With the means at their disposal, I believe past administrations have achieved those goals. However, with the change coming to the city council, I am concerned about an agenda of a certain group trying to take control of our city government. If this takes place, I fear the change will resound much like the “hope and change” taken place in Washington, DC over the past six years. My name is Jimmy Messick and I am running for Milton City Council, Ward 1, Seat 2. I am honored to have received a letter of endorsement from Mr. Curtis A. Golden, State Attorney, retired. I am a certified public accountant, have a strong financial background and am familiar with establishing and maintaining such budgets. I am a small business owner and have been for 39 years. I know what it is like to get up when I don’t feel like it and work to get the job done for my clients. I know what it is like to make payroll each payday. I know how to budget and watch costs when the revenue is relatively static and the only way to balance the check book is to manage costs. However, as a part of my CPA practice, I am the contract controller for a multi-million dollar business. I have, in fact, served in that capacity longer than any of the current owners of the business.
I am a veteran. I served six years in the Army Field Artillery where I started as an enlisted man and ended as an officer.
I have been a member of the Lions Club for 38 years. As a young boy at age 12, I was the recipient of Operation Santa Claus provide by the Opp Alabama Lions Club. At that time, I declared that, when I grew up, I would join the Lions and give back to my community. I have and will continue in doing so.
I have been involved with community activities within the City of Milton over the past eleven years. I am currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Milton Firefighters Retirement Board.
As your city councilman, I pledge that, in all city matters, I will strive to make decisions based on all the facts and information available that better serve the individual citizen and the City of Milton as a whole.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jimmy Messick seeks Milton City Council