71° CLOUDY, Ex-chief to run for mayor
Last Modified: Sunday, May 11, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.
Former Police Chief Wayne Burns has decided he wants a chance to continue serving Tuscumbia, this time as the city's chief executive officer.
Burns, who retired as the city's longtime police chief in 2002, has announced plans to run for mayor in the Aug. 26 city elections.
"I feel like after six years' rest, I'm not done yet, and would love to have the opportunity to try and contribute again to the city of Tuscumbia," he said.
Others who have announced their intentions to run include Randy Stone, frozen food manager at Foodland in Tuscumbia, and Wade Gann, who was mayor from 2000 to 2004. Incumbent Bill Shoemaker has not announced whether he will run for a second term.
Burns was born and raised in Tuscumbia and served for 35 years as a Tuscumbia police officer, 20 of which as chief. He is a disabled veteran, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
He said if he's elected mayor, his office door would be in the same position as his door was when he was chief - open.
"I can promise you one thing: My door will always be open," Burns said. "I'll make time. I proved that as police chief, and I'll prove that as mayor."
He said his leadership abilities will have a positive impact, and he'll focus on communication. "If you communicate, you always can get something done."
Burns realizes the city's budget is tight, and that has caused turnover among city workers.
"Part of that is finances and part is frustration, and that's what we need to solve," he said. "I feel like we have good employees in the city but have to give them a direction of travel."
He wants the city to form a paving program that would involve setting aside funds for projects every year.
"If we have (money designated) in our budget every year, then, over four years, instead of patching roads, the projects would be spread out and we could afford it," Burns said. "If you continue to patch and patch, it becomes more of a cost factor than paving initially would have been.
"When people drive into our town, if they bounce in and bounce out, that doesn't leave a good impression."
He also said he would stress strong communication with the city council. One of Burns' points of emphasis is that the council members also are elected and should play a strong role in city government.
"The people elect the mayor and council and expect all of them to answer questions about what's going on," Burns said. "We're all a team - the mayor, the council and the citizens."
Burns said he also plans to work hard to bring in new businesses and try to fill vacant downtown buildings. "I feel like our city is growing and is on the brink of growing more, but I think we've lost a lot from our downtown area."
Burns' wife, Carol Burns, is the city clerk. He assures that would not cause a problem or create a conflict of interest. "She has her job to do, and I would have mine. I'll just expect the best from all employees."
Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@timesdaily.com.
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Comments
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May 12, 2008 7:30:04 pm
I believe Mr. Burns will make a fine leader for the city of Tuscumbia. He seems to be well educated and knows the trouble spots in our city and the roads will be a great start.When you go to Muscle Shoals or Florence the roads there are repaired and in very good condition . I believe Mr, Burns has a love and respect for this fine city we live in and believe he will Makes changes that have been needed for quite awhile . Some dont like change , if it is for the cities best interest I'm for it !I think no one would be more qualified for the Job than Mr. Burns.
May 12, 2008 8:08:52 pm
Lurch ... yes, I agree, Wayne Burns will make a good and fair leader. He will definately listen to the needs of the citizens. Not every time will one be able to do everything everyone wants but Wayne will do what is right, fair and in the best interest of the majority. That is of course what democracy is about isn't it ...
May 12, 2008 10:07:39 pm
I agree with both of the previous posts.I do believe that I will be voting for Mr. Burns come election time.
May 12, 2008 11:33:16 pm
Burns, might be alright from what I have been told by a few TPD officers, but he will need to get rid of the Chief of Police, who what I been told only cares about what he makes and not what his men and women officers make and that he told them that if they did not like what they were doing to "hit the door", kinda words that sounds sorry coming from a leader. As Mr. Sam Walton told me once "your most value people are your employees"
May 13, 2008 2:59:34 am
And PIGS FLY ALSO....
May 13, 2008 4:42:36 am
THats a very old comment , been around for years Traderconnect. We can tell you dont like change ... its ok openions are like belly buttons Everyone has one ...ha ha ha ha However we do need change in Tuscumbia ,Our city is one of greatest and Mr. Burns knows that . He can handle change and direct the good towards a better city to live in and talk about ! My vote is still with the Best of the BEST MR, Wayne Burns !
May 13, 2008 9:51:52 am
Oh please let Mayor Shoemaker run for the good of the City.
May 13, 2008 2:53:09 pm
Hey lady ... you got it and you must be "Boo" Burns right?
May 13, 2008 3:56:47 pm
OH my goodness, all the canidates are capeable of doing the job even mayor shoemaker, however Tuscumbia needs new leadership and new direction and i feel the man for the job is Mr. Burns. He did a great Job with the police dept.
His knowledge of this city and his love for our city to be at its best is awesome . I'm glad we have new canidates to run i'm looking at them all and for the time being i see the best leadership being that of Mr Burns. Its not to say one man is better than the other , Just that one knows best whats good for the growth of our city and is willing to take on the Job and do whats fair for everyone .
May 13, 2008 6:32:08 pm
Yeah, we've really flourished under his leadership.
<end sarcasm>
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