Goodwater’s mayoral candidates speak up during interviews
Special to the News
News from Goodwater
With municipal elections less than two weeks away and town residents preparing to go to the polls on August 26, we presented an opportunity for Goodwater’s four mayoral candidates to participate in interviews.
The candidates took the opportunity to share information about themselves, their candidacy and why they want to be mayor of Goodwater.
Incumbent Mayor Lonnie Caldwell did not show up for his scheduled interview, but the other three candidates; Samuel Evans, Rodney Jones and Karleyun Lauderdale; all participated. Read on to learn more about these mayoral candidates, organized alphabetically by last name.
Samuel Evans
“The Lord sees me everywhere I go, and He knows my integrity,” states Goodwater mayoral candidate Samuel Evans, a devoted minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 15 years.
He readily acknowledges, “The Lord gives me wisdom, and I depend on that.”
Part of that wisdom is the realization that anything that grows has to change.
“I wanted to run for Goodwater mayor because I wanted to bring a change,” Evans shares.
Evans was born and raised in Camp Hill and moved to his wife’s hometown of Goodwater in 1994. His work as an insurance agent took them to Mississippi for a few years, but he’s been back in Goodwater since 2002.
“Goodwater is too great of a town, too historic of a town… I look at Goodwater as a place that can be thriving, as it used to be. I know it can be better than what it is,” he said.
One of Evans’ first priorities as mayor will be to assess the town’s financial situation.
“I want to manage the budget wisely, effectively and transparently,” he stated.
He would like to establish a “rainy day fund” for the town to prepare for unforeseen circumstances and to be able to help Goodwater citizens when the need is there.
Economic growth and revitalization are central to Evans’ vision. His plans include renovating the city, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and generating revenue to spark long-term prosperity. He is committed to improving public services in the police, fire and ambulance departments, as well as establishing a Welcome Center in one of Goodwater’s historic downtown buildings to share the city’s rich history with residents and visitors.
Another priority for Evans is encouraging community engagement.
He said, “It’s very, very important that we get the community involved in whatever we do here at the city.”
Evans wants to establish a citywide prayer meeting every fifth Friday of the month because he firmly believes, “Prayer changes things.”
He would like to implement town hall meetings twice a year at Goodwater’s community center to hear citizens’ thoughts and concerns and further encourage community involvement.
Evans wants Goodwater’s citizens to know, “I care about you. We care about you.”
Evans also believes investing in Goodwater’s youth is essential to building a stronger future.
He envisions creating safe, productive spaces for young people – such as a community recreation center, arcade, or gym – where they can connect, learn and have fun in a positive environment. His goal is to provide outlets that keep youth engaged and inspired to contribute to their community in meaningful ways.
Engaging with the people of Goodwater is at the core of Samuel Evans’ mission. That’s what his ministry has always been about – helping people – and he plans to continue fulfilling that mission as Goodwater’s mayor.
“God’s spirit is here in Goodwater… and as long as we come together as a community, there’s nothing we can’t do.”
Rodney Jones
“Actions speak louder than words.”
Goodwater mayoral candidate Rodney Jones would rather show what he can do than talk about it. He will say his first order of business if he’s elected as Goodwater’s new mayor will be to sit down with his city council members to “get on the same page and all of us work together as a team.”
Jones will ask his council members to go back to their constituents.
He explained, “Let’s first hear what the people want us to do as the town’s governing body…what types of new businesses do they want here.”
Originally from Alexander City, Jones lived in Shelby County and then the Ray community where he was assistant chief of the volunteer fire department. He relocated to Goodwater more than 20 years ago.
He’s seen the decline of Goodwater over the last two decades and wants to be of service to help his town get back on its feet.
Jones has been a residential and commercial builder for 45 years and plans to use the same skills he uses every day as a builder to rebuild the town of Goodwater – one small step at a time.
“You set short-term goals, then move on to longer term goals,” he said. “It’s like climbing up a ladder.”
He adds that you need to start with baby steps, with small goals, much like in the building business.
“I wake up every day thinking about what I’m doing in my business that day,” he said.
Jones knows that accomplishing small goals will lead to bigger ones.
“You don’t know what you can do until you sit down and make a plan,” he added.
In addition to getting everyone on the same page and setting goals, transparency is a top priority for Jones. As Goodwater’s mayor, he’d insist on having a public record at City Hall of the town’s expenditures, including dispensation of any grant funds, for anyone to read and review at any time.
Jones sees real possibility and potential in Goodwater, stating, “I’m gone give it my best shot to make this town grow.”
He believes one enticement for new business is the town’s existing railroad infrastructure. He’d also like to clean up the blight created by the town’s decaying buildings by communicating with property owners and enforcing building codes.
Jones acknowledges that some won’t like his approach at first, but he doesn’t mind disagreements.
“If you don’t have a disagreement, you won’t come to agreement,” he said.
He welcomes different points of view and perspectives with the end goal being the betterment of Goodwater.
“We’ve all got to be willing to work for the citizens, not for ourselves, and to look at what’s best for the generation behind us, for the children,” he said.
Jones adds, “Goodwater needs somebody. If it’s not me, get somebody who’s wanting to better Goodwater and let it grow.”
Karleyun Lauderdale
“My vision for the city of Goodwater is the vision of the people,” states Goodwater mayoral candidate Karleyun Lauderdale. “If I’m voted into office, I want to be a voice for the people, for everyone. I don’t think it’s just one man’s or one woman’s vision. It’s the community’s vision.”
Lauderdale was born in Montgomery and moved to Goodwater in 1985 when he was 5. He can trace his family back in Goodwater five and six generations, all the way back to his great-great grandparents.
“I’m deeply rooted in Goodwater,” he said. “I am Goodwater. The love I have for this town is off the charts.”
He knows many others feel the same way – and that they’re ready for a change.
Lauderdale attended Coosa Central schools before graduating from Auburn University in 2005 with a degree in computer science. He worked for a short time in Atlanta, Ga., as a software quality assurance engineer before returning to Goodwater in 2009 to care for his mother. What he thought would be a few months back in Goodwater turned into nine years.
Lauderdale volunteered to coach at Goodwater’s Youth Development Center and then began coaching at his alma mater, Coosa Central. He was looking for other ways to help his town when he was approached by Goodwater’s leaders to take on the position of assistant city clerk/town planner for Goodwater. He was elated by the opportunity.
He’d attended a “Your Town” urban planning workshop which opened his eyes to all the available resources for towns like Goodwater. He was so moved by the experience of the workshop and everything he learned, he remembers thinking, “I’m here. This is my calling.”
He now wants to bring this knowledge and these resources to Goodwater.
He recounts how ever since moving back to Goodwater, he’s seen how much the people want a change. He’s seen how much the people want something different, new ideas, after having the same thing for a very long time and adds, “It was the community that encouraged me to run for mayor.”
One of Lauderdale’s first tasks as Goodwater mayor will be to strengthen Goodwater’s police department. He knows that citizens need to feel safe, and businesses need to feel protected.
“Let’s make our departments so robust, we can start inviting businesses and developers here,” he said.
Lauderdale adds, “It’s not going to be overnight of course, but we have to be an example for the next generation. We have to leave them something, something better than we had.”
When asked if he’s running for Goodwater mayor, Lauderdale responds with, “I am. But I need your help.”
He knows that the citizens are the bosses, not the officials.
“The officials are voted into office to carry out the vision of the people,” Lauderdale states.
Revitalizing Goodwater will indeed take a village, and Karleyun Lauderdale is ready to do whatever he can, whatever it takes, to make Goodwater thrive again.
“I’m capable of doing it. Humbly.”
