Mayor eyes second term

By Staff
Official announcement could be made by year's end
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
Although Mayor Jan Wells has not officially announced that she will seek a second term as Madison's top representative, she said she is considering another four years in 2004.
Wells entered her third year as mayor last September and said there is a lot to do. She said it could take another four years to get it done.
"I won't make an official announcement until the end of this year as to whether or not I'll seek a second term as mayor, but I am considering running again," Wells said. "A lot has been accomplished during the past two years and a lot more is planned. I'd like to see those plans come to fruition."
Coming from a successful real estate background with ties to the business community since moving to Alabama in the mid 1980s, Wells said in 2000 when she decided to run for mayor, it was because she wanted to bring new leadership to Madison – something the business community said she could do.
"I remember clearly stating that we needed to market Madison and do it in a professional manner," Wells said. "There was and still is a lot to offer here, but we need to remember those who have made Madison what it is today. They can't be left out when attracting new business."
Should the mayor decide to seek a second term in office, she said some of the accomplishments made in Madison during her first two years that she could put on her campaign trail includes the complete restructuring of the organizational and internal aspects at city hall to make the city's departments and employees better prepared and ready to support the continued growth of the city.
"Our CIP 3 Plan is in place. Our master plan has been revised. Efforts to revitalize downtown are now in place. We have several economic prospects looking at locating in Madison – including a new hospital. There is a lot that's been done and a lot more to do," Wells said. "We have major infrastructure needs that have to be met. Road improvements and finding the funding to get these road improvements done is high on my list."
The mayor said a lot can happen between now and the end of the year, but she knows a final decision as to whether or not she wants to add another four years to her belt as mayor will come soon.
"Thinking back to where we were two years ago and where we are today and what's been planned for the next two years has been amazing," Wells said. "Seeking another four years in office is definitely something I'm considering."