Video: Two Aberdeen Mayoral Candidates Share Their Views

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ABERDEEN, Miss. (WCBI) – Two Aberdeen Mayoral candidates will head to a runoff election in a few short weeks.

“I’m humbled by the turnout last night and the fact that I led the ticket,” said candidate John Allen.

Allen currently holds the seat for Alderman Ward 5.

He’s served on the Aberdeen City Board for 12 years and worked in management for more than 2 decades.

He wants to use his experience to his advantage in the race.

“My vested interest is seeing Aberdeen do well. I feel like I have the tools and the background in management to help serve the city well and managing people and managing contracts and managing the budget,” said Allen.

If elected Mayor, Allen says he plans to help the city have a more positive image by fighting crime.

“Violence is apart of city life but you still have to put your best image first or best foot forward. We want Aberdeen to be known as a beautiful southern city. We have had people buy houses online, some of the antebellum homes and move here. And we are known as a retirement city and we want it to be a place where they can feel safe and comfortable coming here,” added Allen.

Allen came in with 697 votes while Maurice Howard received 471.
Howard says he feels like he can bring a fresh perspective to the city.

“I think I specialize in difference, I am the epitome of what different is,” said candidate Maurice Howard.

Howard is a local pastor and business owner.

He says he went from being just a concerned citizen to someone who really want to step up and make a difference.

“I’ve been here the majority of my life and there was a time where it was great to be apart of Aberdeen but our city has been a recline for so many years. It is imperative that we grab our city right where we are and begin to move forward,” said Howard.

Howard also sees a problem with crime in the city, and says he will work hard to combat it.

“W’e’re not going to attract anything without cleaning up the city of Aberdeen. Aberdeen for far too long has had an image of not so safe of a place. People usually bypass Aberdeen and stop at the next closest city. So we want to make sure we alleviate that problem by cleaning up our streets,” added Howard.

The run off will take place on April 19th.