Jones, McClusky running for re-election in Ward 3

Ward 3 only has one contested election for its two city council representatives this year. Incumbent Patrick McClusky is running unopposed, while fellow representative Walter Jones is facing off against Fred Azbik.

Jones has been the Ward 3 Place 2 representative since 2008, and previously served 1996-2004. This length of time on the council has meant Jones has been involved in several city projects, including library renovation, business district revitalization projects, work at Central and Patriot Park and multiple construction projects such as the new Senior Center, the new Community Center and Homewood Middle School. He has also served as Homewood's representative on the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority Board, the Edgewood Revitalization Committee and the Board of Education strategic planning committee.

"I am running because I want to ensure the high quality of life we all enjoy in Homewood. This quality of life is very important and I want to continue those high standards for the community," Jones said.

Jones is focusing his campaign on overall quality of life improvements, more park facilities, addressing increased school enrollment, a new public safety building and encouraging business growth.

"While serving as the chair of the finance committee, we have been judicious with the money that you have entrusted to us. While other cities have struggled financially, we have maintained a surplus each year – in fact our average surplus has been more than $ 700,000," Jones said. "During that time, we have continued to dedicate one penny of sales tax to the Board of Education and this must be maintained. At this point in the fiscal year we are ahead of revenues compared to a year ago."

Jones has been a Homewood resident 23 years and works at Automatic Data Processing. He and his wife Sharon live in Edgewood with their three children. He is a member of Independent Presbyterian Church and involved with Boy Scout Troop 79, Saint Andrew’s Society of the Middle South and Shades Mountain Sunrise Rotary Club.

Follow Jones' campaign on Facebook or Twitter @walterrjones.

McClusky has lived in Homewood his entire life and has been on the council for seven years. He and his wife Leah have three children.

Though unopposed, McClusky said issues that are important to him include continuing growth in Edgewood and working toward improvements in Wildwood. Find his campaign on Facebook.

"Homewood has been my home for 38 years, and love it to my core. We have so many good things going on in the city right now, that I would like to see them through," McClusky said.