Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On June 20, voters will go to the polls to choose their representative for the District 1 on the LaGrange City Council. Former councilman Jim Arrington will be vying for the District 1 seat against challenger Terry Stanford.

Arrington, who previously held the seat for five years, had to resign in January to make a run for the seat of mayor. He lost to Mayor Dr. Willie Edmondson in that election.

“I’m excited about qualifying and potentially helping our new mayor make some decisions for our city,” Arrington said. “I am passionate about the city of LaGrange. There are a lot of issues in the city, and there are a lot of great things about the city. I want to get back in there and continue those efforts to make LaGrange a better place.”

For Stanford, a longtime resident of LaGrange and business owner of Stanford Automotive and Repair, the run for the District 1 seat will be his first.

“I’ve lived my whole life in this city. I’ve had a lot of good relationships and business opportunities and was able to thrive here. I want to be a part of the change and take care of the people that live here,” Stanford said. “This community has done a lot for my family, and I and it’s time for us to give back and do whatever we can do to take care of its people.”

Stanford said the timing felt right.

“I think we’re at a pivotal point in the city and the change in our government is going in the right direction. I think this is the time that everything now is in place to make the city better,” Stanford said.

Arrington said should he be reelected he wants to help find solutions to gun violence and make choices that will benefit the city.

Should he get elected, Stanford said he has a few goals in mind.

“Should I get elected, I would want to make our city safer, cleaner, bring more resources to young kids so they can feel safe when they come out to play and have better communication between the people and the government,” Stanford said.

The mayoral race saw a low voter turnout with only 10% of registered voters participating in that election. To avoid a similar turnout, Arrington said he plans on reminding potential voters to perform their civic duty come June 20.

“It’s really sad that few people came out to vote. This is some of the most important work you can do right here in your community,” Arrington said.

“Voting in city elections is where you can get most of the things you want to see happen here locally, and people don’t even come out to vote for it.”

At the start of his campaign, Stanford said he plans on being visible and holding events to interact with potential voters.