By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Pelham Homeowners Association President Mildred Lanier recently qualified to run for Place 3 on the Pelham City Council during the city’s upcoming municipal elections.

Lanier, who also serves on the Pelham Planning and Zoning Commission, said she decided to run after becoming involved in and learning more about city government over the past few years.

“It was something I had to consider,” Lanier said of her decision to run for the council. “It was something I really prayed about. I want to be able to make a difference.”

Lanier said, if elected, she would like to work to support local business owners while working to bring in a range of new businesses to several parts of the city.

“I want to support all different areas of business. Businesses help lead to stronger communities, and strong communities lead to growth,” Lanier said.

She said she would like to see more business and residential growth along the Shelby County 11 corridor on the eastern end of the city. Because Pelham’s population has been growing in the eastern part of the city for the past several years, she said she would like to see more restaurants and business offerings constructed along the Shelby County 11 corridor.

“I would like to see us try to have an open dialogue with the real estate owners on Highway 11,” Lanier said. “I would like to see more industry and business development on Highway 11. I would also like to see us fill out Highway 31.”

She said she would like to support Pelham’s schools to ensure the city’s students are “able to compete” when they move on to life after high school.

Lanier said this year’s election will be a “turning point” for Pelham, and said the elected officials over the next four years will have to work to improve the profitability of the Pelham Civic Complex and will have to address city infrastructure improvement projects.

Pelham’s municipal elections will be held on Aug. 28 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

Lanier’s campaign website can be viewed at Mildredlanier.com.

“Pelham is a wonderful place,” Lanier said. “It has a hometown feel, and it has many progressive aspects as well.”