VIDALIA — Two candidates will compete for the district 2 alderman seat in Vidalia, including the long-time incumbent.

Candidates are incumbent Vernon Stevens and Randy Young.

Vernon Stevens

The incumbent, Stevens, is running for his sixth consecutive term on the board of aldermen and said his experienced leadership will help Vidalia continue to stay on the move.

“Vidalia has a lot of good things going right now,” Stevens said. “We have some major projects that are just now being completed and some major projects in the works. I want to continue to work with the board and the mayor to ensure these get done.”

Stevens said his community involvement and dedication are what set him apart in the election.

“I’ve been dedicated to this community for 35 years,” Stevens said. “I stay active in the community and want to do what I can to benefit the community.”

Drainage and the Vidalia Port are two projects Stevens said he would continue to work toward completing if re-elected.

“There’s way more that goes into the drainage than it appears, but we’re working to improve certain problem areas,” Stevens said. “We’ve been working with the mayor to get the port up and running and several industries have said they could expand here if there was a port.”

Stevens said a new project on the horizon for his district and Vidalia that goes hand-in-hand with economic development is housing.

“We just don’t have enough here,” Stevens said. “There aren’t enough homes or property available to where if an industry did come here, they wouldn’t have places for their employees to come in and live.”

Stevens said he wants to remind voters that his experienced leadership is the key to moving Vidalia forward.

“I think experience and leadership are important, and I think I far exceed my opponent in business, leadership and governmental experience,” Stevens said. “I’m looking forward to another term with the mayor and the current board.”

Randy Young

Young refused to comment on his campaign.