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Published 11:29 am Wednesday, July 23, 2008
By Staff
Brewton, East Brewton loses legacy in Lewis
A crowded field has tossed their hats into the ring for the leadership of both Brewton and East Brewton.
With just more than a month of campaigning ahead, we hope that all candidates will agree to run a clean race.
In our community, we are all neighbors and friends, and while not everyone will agree on what is best for the community, we can all agree that these candidates should have the best interests of Brewton and East Brewton at heart,
In fact, as we go forward into this brief campaign period, all candidates would do well to remember the legacy of public service left by the late Walter O. “Jake” Lewis, who served 10 years on the Brewton city council and over three decades as a Brewton police officer.
Lewis, who died Monday, was remembered this week as a leader who did what he believed in, at every job he worked.
He was a true public servant, not just a politician, one who was a father figure to his officers on the night shift at the police department and a principled leader on the city council.
Lewis' legacy is one we should all emulate, but now – as voters look to learn more about the candidates and candidates look to explain their views to residents – it is even more important to follow examples such as his.
We hope that all residents will take time to learn about the candidates in their districts, and we hope that candidates will reach out with strong ideas for the future of Brewton and East Brewton.
We have much to learn in the coming days and weeks, and we have little time for disrespect on the community campaign trail.
Good luck to all looking to serve.