By Tim Farley

Despite criticism over having met citymandated term limits, Ward 2 incumbent Turner Mann said he’s still a candidate for the Ward 6 race.

Mann has served as the Ward 2 councilman for the past 12 years and is one of four candidates seeking the Ward 6 seat. Mann was able to file for the seat because of a ward realignment that changed boundary lines. The ward realignment, which was initiated and approved by the city council, placed Mann’s residence in Ward 6, which legally allows him to seek another four-year term.

Still, criticism has poured down on Mann for violating the spirit of the law, his opponents claim.

Other Ward 6 candidates Jeff Moore, Bill Bridges and John Laudermilk all jumped on the term limit bandwagon and admonished Mann for his stance.

Although “uncomfortable” with the ward realignment, Mann said he still believes his council experience outweighs the term limit controversy.

“I think the process to realign was sound, but I was never really comfortable with it all,” Mann said. “I had one person who I respect say ‘you violated the charter by changing it like that.’ I think the premise was sound, but for me personally, I didn’t know if it would pass the smell test with the citizens, and it didn’t.”

The brewing controversy was not an issue Mann, 67, wants to face before the Feb. 14 primary election.

“I do not want to fight with anyone,” he said.

Mann had questioned if Moore, an area homebuilder, would bring a personal agenda with him to the council if elected. The council routinely considers residential and commercial building projects.

Moore retorted that Mann’s entry into the Ward 6 race was questionable because of the city mandated term limits.

Mann said his council experience will be beneficial if he’s elected again. He said his motive for seeking another term is to help the city maintain its “momentum” in terms of new businesses, completed public projects and economic growth.

“We’ve done a lot of good things in the city and I want to see that continue,” he said. “This will be a good race. I’ve had a good run. I’d be comfortable with whoever wins as long as they try to be all things to all people.”

Mann, a law enforcement agent with the state’s Child Support Services division, also praised the city’s ability to maintain services and avoid employee layoffs.

“A lot of cities haven’t been that fortunate. Right now, our finances are good and our budget is good,” he said.

Although he’s upbeat about the race and his chances of winning, Mann admitted he considered withdrawing from the race because of the term limit controversy. The incumbent said he opted to stay in because of influence from friends.

“As a councilperson, you can get in there and just coast, or you can really get involved with things. But you pay a big price for that. You think, ‘what’s left for me.’ Politics is a tough deal and it ends up making, as they say, strange bed fellows or enemies of people you would otherwise be friends with.”

Mann said he’s “given good service” to Ward 2 residents and isn’t prepared to leave the council yet.

“We’ve still got a lot to accomplish as a city and I believe my experience can help with that,” he said.

If none of the four candidates receive more than 50 percent of the total vote Feb. 14, the top two will advance to the April 3 general election.

tfarley@eastwordnews.com