Staff Report

July 26, 2000 10 PM

Rickey E. McLendon is seeking the Troy City Council District 1 position in the August election.

He is a 1971 graduate of Charles Henderson High School and a 1973 graduate of John M. Patterson Vocational Technical School, where he received his welders certification.

McLendon is the owner and operator of McLendon Welding on College Street, which he enjoys running with his wife.

He and his wife, the former Sue Sullivan of Grady, have five children: Michael L. Walters, April D. Rayburn, Brian McLendon, Robbie Walters and Zachary B. McLendon. They have two grandchildren, Megan Walters and Brian Rayburn.

One reason McLendon is running for office is because he has been worried about the young people of Troy.

"Let’s give them something to do besides meet up in parking lots because the children of today are our future leaders," McLendon said.

Many of those are young people he got to know through coaching baseball with the Troy Parks and Recreation for 12 years.

"The children of Troy need more recreation other than baseball," McLendon said.

"I feel like it is time for a change and I think I can make a difference. My main objective is to do what the people of District 1 want. If I am elected that’s who I will be working for."

If elected, McLendon plans to hold citizen meetings with the residents of District 1 about every two to three months, "so I will know what they would like to see in our city."

He would also like to see the city construct a juvenile facility to house juveniles for Troy and other cities and counties, which would also create jobs for local residents.

"I would also like to see the Troy City Board of Education elected instead of just being appointed, like it is, now," McLendon said.

In his spare time, McLendon enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and fishing.

The election will be Aug. 22.