By HEATHER RUPPE
Two Lodge residents are vying to fill an open seat on Lodge Town Council.
Ricky Bo Ryan and Mac McLendon have both filed to run in the upcoming March 1st Town of Lodge Special Election: this election is to fill the remaining, unexpired term left by Lodge Councilman Brenda Connelly, who resigned before the term was complete.
Ryan has twice run for Lodge Town Council: he ran once as a write-in candidate and again in November of 2021. He lost both of those attempts.
On Monday, Ryan said he is running again because he wants to see changes in Lodge.
“Sooner or later, I’m gong to get it,” said Ryan. “They use this place as a speed zone through the town, and I want to work to make changes.”
Ryan said he also wants to get sidewalks cleaned and repaired.
Lastly, he said he wants to help existing councilmen work on improving water quality in Lodge. According to Ryan, the town is always having water leaks. He also wants to improve the overall water quality and water system in the town.
“They are working on it now but I want to help with this,” said Ryan.
McLendon is a first-time candidate.
McLendon said he was going to run for the town’s mayor in the 2021 election, but instead threw his support behind the current mayor. When Connelly decided to vacate her seat, McLendon said he decided to seek the seat on council.
If elected, McLendon said he will focus on better traffic control.
“We have a lot of concern about speeding through the community. It’s rampant,” he said.
Like his opponent, he also wants to work on the town’s water system.
Lastly, he wants to beautify the town.
“The town’s signs need to be revamped. We need to have some more pride in our community,” he said. “I’m out in the community seeking votes … I’m going to be the voice of Lodge, if elected. I am trying to understand what the citizens want and seek to get those goals accomplished.”
The upcoming March 1st Lodge election is a nonpartisan election, meaning there is no political affiliation.
