Mike Tonos 5/28/09

Q: What experience and personal qualities can you offer to the City Council?

n BRYAN: Born and raised in Tupelo and understand the term "Tupelo Spirit." Small business owner with a B.S. in finance, graduate of Mississippi Economic Council Leadership Mississippi and served on a steering committee for early childhood education (Mississippi Building Blocks), First Baptist Church deacon and third-grade Sunday school teacher, board member of NEMS Chapter American Red Cross, City Council liaison on the Tupelo Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and a member of CDF. Soccer and basketball coach, high school football official and president of NEMS Football Officials Association. I stand by my record as councilman.

n DAVIS: I have practiced real estate law since January 1993, which requires interaction with the public on a daily basis. I am able to work with others to accomplish a common goal. I have also been a member of the Tupelo Quality of Life Committee from its inception. This has given me insight as to the functioning of city government. In my law practice, I consider myself a public servant and strive to maintain a servant's heart in my representation of clients.



Mike Tonos 5/28/09

Q: Name three goals or projects you will pursue if elected.

n BRYAN: Help implement the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and make sure we use the best smart-growth practices to enhance our schools, housing, transportation, parks, recreation and infrastructure. Stay in touch with my constituents by holding regular focus-group sessions in Ward 6, especially on issues that will have a direct impact on Ward 6 and the city. Continue to work with local, state and national leaders to retain current jobs while creating more and better jobs. A strong local economy is key to growth and prosperity for its citizens.

n DAVIS: My first goal will be to bring harmony to City Hall. There will be differing opinions in a democracy, but courtesy and respect should not be abandoned. Secondly, I will attempt to make our local government more efficient and transparent. I believe we can streamline our local government and save tax dollars without lowering the quality of services. I also will require that the public business be conducted openly and transparently. Thirdly, I will pursue policies that promote job growth and retention in the manufacturing sector. I would like our local government to be considered aggressive in this regard.

Mike Tonos 5/28/09

Q: This past municipal term was marked with conflict and lack of communication between the mayor and City Council. What specifically will you do to open the lines of communication and minimize conflict?

n BRYAN: My keeping Ward 6 and the city's needs and priorities at the forefront and not allowing personal agendas to come into play allowed me to work with the mayor and other council members. We were able to approve the Sportsplex and Veterans Memorial, as well as implement the 2025 Comprehensive Plan and enacting the smoking ban, among others. I will maintain honest and open communication with the administration and other council members and work diligently to establish their trust while respecting differences of opinion. However, I will not be a yes-man, but will continue doing what's best for Tupelo.

n DAVIS: Communication between the mayor and council is essential in a mayor-council form of government. If the lines of communication are broken, this form of government is useless. The council is required to deal with the municipal departments through the mayor, who even appoints the director of each department. Because I want our government to function as designed, I will always be available for communication with the mayor and expect the same from him/her. Concerning conflict, I may disagree with the mayor on certain issues, but I will never be disrespectful. Differing opinions are a sign of a healthy democracy. So are courtesy and respect.