By Michael Wetzel  

For the Enquirer 

Melvin Duran is retiring after 34 years as the mayor of Priceville.  

“It’s time,” said Duran, who is also retired from Monsanto-Solutia. “I’m 74, and it’s time to let some other folks do this. I’ve had a camper I haven’t been able to use in six years and a show car I’ve only showed one time.” 

Duran served on the town council for six years before becoming mayor. 

During his time in town government, Priceville grew from a one–traffic light town with roughly 700 residents to a population of close to 3,000. 

Duran said the biggest issue for the town “is keeping apartments out of Priceville.” He said he regrets voting to approve a plan for 500 apartments, and he’s glad it never materialized. 

“Not having apartments is why we’re one of the towns people want to live in,” Duran said. 

Competing for the Duran vacancy are Sam Heflin and Councilman Joe Lubisco Jr. 

Other seats up for grabs in Priceville include newcomers Patrick Banks and Ashley W. England vying for the Place 1 seat being vacated by Lubisco. 

Seeking the Place 2 seat are incumbent Charles Black and Jason “Bubba” Thrash. Melvin Duran III, the mayor’s son, will face off with incumbent Jerry Welch for Place 3. Incumbent Tommy Perry will be running against Chris Cartee and Harry Woodard for Place 4. 

Patrick Dean, Jesse Hockett and incumbent Donald Keith Livingston are running for Place 5.