Franklin D. Turney, a retired minister and army officer, is a candidate for Place 5 on the Hartselle City Council, subject to the Municipal election on Aug. 28.

Two other candidates are in the race for the seat currently held by Don Hall, a mayoral candidate. They are Kenneth “Ken” Doss and Jason E. Armstrong.

“I’m running because I see things that could be done a different way and last longer,” Turney said. “For example, a metal roof on a schoolhouse makes good sense because it won’t leak and it’ll last longer, and a geothermal heating and cooling system will pay for itself in three to five years and save a lot of money in the long run.”

“I also think our elected officials should go all out to bring in new industry and jobs now that the new Morgan Business Park is ready to open,” he added. “It appears to be our best hope for real economic progress in the future.”

Turney, 78, has represented District #9 as a member of the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature for the past eight years.

“I’m well versed on legislative matters and understand the process required to get things done in Montgomery,” Turney pointed out. “I will use this knowledge and experience to benefit the city.”

Turney served as a United Methodist Church pastor for 30 years, in addition to being employed at the former Chemstrand Corp. for four years and General Electric for six years.

A graduate of the former Morgan County High School, he received a BA degree in education from Athens State College and a master’s of divinity degree in pastoral care from Emory University.

He is retired from the Alabama Army National Guard after 34 years with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His extensive Army training included graduation from the Air War College at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery.

If elected, Turney said he would strongly support education, support the purchase of a new dump truck and street sweeper for the Public Works Department, a new fire truck for Fire and Rescue and, the completion of SNAP and an elevator for the Fine Arts Center.