Rick Wash, a former Pelham police officer and Pelham High School graduate, said he would like to see Pelham residents strengthen their sense of community, and also said he would like to see Pelham’s empty retail spaces filled.

Former Pelham councilman Jim Phillips said Pelham should look at concessions for businesses looking to come to the city, and said council members should work as a team to make the best out of the city budget.

Harold Watson, who spent more than 39 years with the Boy Scouts of America, called Pelham the “best kept secret,” and said the city should be “proactive” about advertising its offerings.

Thomas Davidson, Pelham’s first Parks and Recreation Department director, said he would like to see the city support its schools, disabled residents and children, and said he would like to see a branch of the Lakeshore Foundation open in Pelham.

Rick Hayes, who owns a business in Pelham, said Pelham should work to grow business and residential corridors along Shelby County 52, Shelby County 11 and Shelby County 261, and said he would like to recruit more small businesses to the city.

Mildred Lanier, who is involved in the Hayesbury homeowners association, said Pelham should look to diversify its revenue streams, and said the city needs to adopt a blight ordinance.

Maurice Mercer, the president of the Pelham Beautification Board, said he would host quarterly town hall meetings, and said the city should work to maintain its current businesses while recruiting new ones.

The City Council likely will appoint a new member during its Feb. 20 meeting. The new member will fill the spot vacated when former councilman Mike Dickens resigned to become the Pelham Municipal Court administrator.