The Duncan Banner

Local News

February 5, 2013

Enloe eyeing reelection as Velma Mayor

Megan Bristow The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Although Shawn Enloe was undecided about whether he wanted to continue his political career as the Mayor of Velma, Enloe said Monday he is leaning toward filing for office again.

Enloe was appointed to Velma’s Trustee 4 position in 2008 and in 2009, he filed for the position winning the votes for the seat and for the title of Mayor.

Enloe owns a small business in Velma that works with local oil companies. Enloe spent his childhood in Velma from the time he was in the sixth grade and decided that is where he wanted to raise his children.

“I moved away to go to college and stuff like that,” he said. “When I got married and had kids, I moved back. That is where I wanted to raise my kids.”

Since Enloe has led the town, he has worked with a Velma citizen and Velma’s Board of Trustees to start a food bank and keep health care available to the Velma residents.

“The clinic in town almost closed its doors,” he said. “We were able to see it stay.”

Enloe has also worked to secure a number of grants such as a $250,000 fire truck and for the town’s storm sirens.

Enloe said if he is granted another term, he would like to see improved work ethic among the employees and volunteers for the city in order to develop more employer/employee relationships.

“We have been doing pretty good,” he said. “In a smaller community, it is easy to get a little lax. We all grew up together. We all went to school together. We all know each other. Sometimes, it is hard to be a boss.”

He said he would also like to get the Velma firefighters on the same level of training across the board.

“I would like to see our training in our fire deaprtment become an above average type training,” Enloe said. “That way, we have all our firefighters on the same level as everybody else. Right now, we have some firefighters that are not as trained as others.”

Enloe’s hesitations to run came from wanting to make sure he had enough time to devote to his business as well as his family. As Enloe has kids in high school, he said he has missed some of his kids’ many events due to town meetings.

“When you choose to do something like this, you do have to make certain sacrifices,” he said. “I have missed some of my kids’ ball games and sporting events because I have had a meetings.”

Enloe’s dedication to Velma has shown in his spotless attendance record at council meetings since he became mayor.

His decision to run again gave from a desire to give Velma the advantage of having someone with over four years of experience leading the city. However, Enloe said he is not a politician in that he hopes that someone steps up to run against him.

“I wish folks would step up and be more interested in the way the town is run,” he said. “That is what we need: fresh ideas and fresh people.”

The opening of Enloe’s position is joined by Velma’s Trustee 2, currently held by Debra Thomas. At this time, Thomas is not planning to run again. The filing period for these and other positions in the county began at 8 a.m. Monday and is open until 5 p.m. Wednesday. Enloe said he hopes to see people filing for the Velma positions as it shows an interest in the town’s affairs.

“I do not consider myself a politician,” he said. “If somebody steps up and runs a good race wanting to sit on the city council, I am all for it.”

“If the right person comes along and wants to have my job, I will step down,” he said.

Interested parties may visit the Stephens County Election Board Office in the Stephens County Courthouse to file for an open position.

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