Moultry proud of accomplishments and teamwork as she exits the city council

Wanda Moultry had never entertained the idea of tossing her hat into to political arena until Jake Wingard encouraged her to run for the Troy City Council.

“Jake said that I was the kind of person who likes to help others and that was the kind of person that was needed on the city council,” Moultry said. “I thought about it for awhile and decided that being a member of the city council was a way that I could serve my community. The District 5 position was going to be open so I decided to give it a try.”

Several other community-minded people had the same idea and earning a seat on the council was not a shoo-in for Moultry.

“It took a runoff but I won the seat,” Moultry said. “That was in 1996. I’ve served the city as a member of the council for 16 years. I’ll miss being on the council, but I’m not disappointed because a lot has been accomplished during the four terms that I’ve served and I’m proud to have been a part of it.”

Moultry said she appreciates the support that she has received from her constituents in District 5 and from the Troy community.

“I want to thank the people of District 5 for letting me represent them for 16 years,” she said. “And, I also want to thank the people of the entire Troy community for the support and encouragement they have given me over the years.”

Moultry also expressed appreciation to the mayor and fellow council members.

“We have worked together to accomplish the goals that we had set and I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish together,” she said. “We have been able to keep our city safe and clean and we’ve been able to recruit jobs – good jobs – for our people.”

Moultry cited the completion of the state-of-the-art public library, the securing of the hospital, the expansion of the city airport and the near completion of the new senior nutrition center as recent accomplishments that are the direct result of the governing body working in concert.

“A commitment was made by all of us to work for the good of the city in a cooperative manner and we did,” Moultry said. “We were committed to leaving nothing undone. I leave knowing that we have accomplished much. Next on the table is the purchasing of the city’s utilities and that will be a great move forward for the city.”

Moultry said she would like to have served another term but the process works and she must abide by the process.

She said that she will maximize her work as director of OCAP and continue to be a voice in the community.

“I will stay involved in my district and in the Troy community,” she said. “If I can be of service in any way to the council, I will be willing to do what I can to make sure that we continue the upward trend, to progress as a city.”

Troy City Council President, Johnny Witherington said it has been a pleasure to serve with Moultry and that her influence and leadership efforts have benefited the Troy community.

“Wanda’s determination to work with Mayor Lunsford and the rest of us as a team made a difference, and for that, I am most grateful,” Witherington said. “She is a loving person and serving with her has been fun, but she can be tough as nails when she thought it necessary to be so. I have great respect for her and will always be appreciative for what has been accomplished in the 16 years she has served on the Troy City Council. She has helped make them very special.”

A reception in Moultry’s honor will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Monday at Troy City Hall. The public is invited to attend.