By: Joseph M. Morgan

SYLVANIA, Ala.—Sylvania resident Tom Miller announced earlier this month that he will be running for mayor of Sylvania on Aug. 23, 2016. Miller will be facing incumbent appointed Mayor Gerald R. Craig and mayoral candidate Tony Goolesby,

Miller previously served on the Sylvania Town Council for one term from 2008-2012, but had to go on the road for his work after his first term and did not seek re-election.

If elected, Miller said the biggest thing he wants to accomplish is to make improvements for the police and fire departments.

“I had seen some qualities that I think I could improve on in our city government,” Miller said. “I want to see a big difference and an upgrade to the Police Department and an upgrade to the Fire Department so that they can be number one so they can be noticed. I want our officers to be protected. I want them to have the best equipment that can be found. I want the same for the fire department.”

Miller also said he would like to see a new senior citizen center in Sylvania. “We had it at one time, but the council voted it down when it was time to renew it,” Miller said. “I want to change that. I don’t know that I can, but I will certainly do everything in my power to make it happen.”

Miller said the roads in Sylvania are in poor shape and in bad need of repair, but the biggest challenge he sees in terms of Sylvania continuing to grow is continuing to work to implement a city sewer system. Sylvania recently received a grant to get the project started.

Tom Miller is Married to Martha Miller and has two children. Miller is an instructor for Celedon Driving Academy, out of Gadsden, Ala., where he trains long-haul truck drivers. Prior to working for Celedon, Miller worked for Wal-Mart for more than 20 years and has spent more than 40 years of his career driving an 18-wheeler.

Miller will face incumbent appointed Mayor Gerald R. Craig and mayoral candidate Tony Goolesby on Aug. 23, 2016.