Voters in Atmore’s District 5 city council runoff race have less than a week to decide between the two candidates that will appear on the ballot Tuesday, and both Michael Arnold and Chris Harrison are still hard at work trying to sway the votes.

Arnold, who received 70 votes, 36 nods behind the 106 ballots cast for Harrison, said his campaign has not changed.

“It’s still all about the people of District 5. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it,” Arnold said. “I want to be a voice for the citizens of Atmore and the people of District 5.  I want to work hard for the people.”

Harrison also said his platform has not changed and is anxious to get to work for the people of District 5, should he win the runoff.

“I appreciate all the support the first time and hope people will come back out and voice their support again,” Harrison said. “We have already elected a new mayor and voted on several of the councilmen and I look forward to working with them if the people see fit to put me there.”

Arnold said his campaign is all about finding out what the people want and need, but added he does have more specific goals in mind for District 5 residents.

“I would like to see a list of what the people of Atmore want,” he said. “I want to be a people person. I know, as politicians, the norm is to do what we want, but we have to realize that the people elect us. I want to target some areas like the drainage and water problems in District 5. I want to hold meetings to let the people know what the city is doing to help the people and keep them abreast what is going on.”

Harrison said he too wants to be available to the people of his district and said he believes his background would serve him well in his efforts to represent them.

“What I told everyone the whole time is I’m here for the people and I encourage everyone to work together,” Harrison said. “I feel like, with all of my business experience, I would be a great contributor to all of the economic developments with Rivercane and others in the community.”

Arnold said the biggest part of his message is change and unity for District 5 and the entire City of Atmore.

“I want the people to know I’m not going to be the norm,” Arnold said. “I want them to be able to contact me with issues. I might not be able to solve all the people’s problems, but I want to be a hands-on councilman. The people want to see a change and I want to be that for the people of district 5.”

Tuesday’s voting for city council in District 5 will be held from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Atmore branch of the Escambia County Board of Education office on South Pensacola Avenue, next to the Atmore YMCA.