Atmore native Michael D. Arnold announced this week he will join the race for an Atmore City Council seat, joining Chris Harrison in the hunt for the District 5 slot left open by mayoral candidate Jim Staff.

“The city of Atmore is where I learned that what matters is not your name, but what you can accomplish,” Arnold said of his candidacy. “It’s where I learned that you get more done when you work with people than when you fight with them. But it’s also where I learned you need to be prepared to take on tough fights and that making a real difference in people’s lives is what matters most.”

Arnold, 34, is a life long resident of Atmore and a graduate of Escambia County High School. He, and his wife LaKisha, have four children. Arnold is a five-year employee with the Alabama Department of Corrections and the Escambia County Sheriff’s office where he serves as civil deputy. Arnold also serves on the board of the Atmore United Fund, the Alabama Democratic Committee and the Escambia County Drug Court Coalition. He is also a volunteer fire fighter with Atmore Fire Department and a 2006 graduate of Leadership Atmore.

Arnold said he has a vision for a safer more secure Atmore and has ideas he believes will help reach that goal.

“Some things I want to do are neighborhood watches and tip lines people can call in to when they hear gunfire or see crime,” Arnold said.

More than anything, Arnold said his plans are to represent the people of District 5.

“I’ve spent a lot of time over the past few months talking to dozens of Atmore residents, from prominent community leaders to business leaders and school teachers to low-wage workers about the community,” Arnold said. “For the most part, these conversations have only reinforced my interest in running for city councilman. If nothing else, I want my candidacy and my time in office to demonstrate that politics and public service can be uplifting and a creative force for improving our community and leaving this city a better place for our children. The condition of our city and to be a help and an asset to the city of Atmore are important issues.”

Arnold said economic stability and job creation will also be a major focus of his campaign.

“It’s tempting sometimes to just resign ourselves to the idea that there is little that we can do to change the way things are, however, none of us can afford to just sit down and do nothing,” he said. “I will begin by promoting Rivercane and the Atmore city limits. I feel as though Atmore has the potential to bring in more revenue and jobs. This will be a wonderful start. Along with the growth of our city, I feel as though our police and fire departments need compensation for the service to our community. As your city councilman, I plan on having quarterly meetings with the people of District 5 to keep them abreast. In short, if you’re looking for a hard working man who cares about the people of District 5 and the city of Atmore, I am the person to fill this valuable position.”