Troy City Council seat

Special to The Messenger

July 4, 2000 10 PM

John Witherington has announced intent to qualify for re-election to Place 4 on the Troy City Council.

First elected to the Troy City Commission in 1994, he was elected to the Troy City Council the following year when the city’s form of government changed.

He was re-elected to the council in 1988, 1992 and 1996.

"It has been meaningful to serve with a mayor and council that has worked together to provide the best for our community," Witherington said.

"Helping to maintain a strong local economy through a low tax base has enabled us to grow," the 52-year-old said. "Continuing to be good stewards of our existing revenue sources has kept it that way."

Witherington said it has been his "aim to be fair and responsible in all our deliberations" while serving as president of the council.

If re-elected, Witherington said he will continue to "give my best and conscientious effort at all times."

Witherington also asked citizens of Troy to support those elected as the city’s leaders, just as they have in the past.

He is a 1966 graduate of Charles Henderson High School and a 1971 graduate of Troy State University.

He is married to the former Barbara Jo Pritchett of Union Springs. They have two children, Ashley W. Tate and John H. Witherington Jr. and three grandsons.

Witherington is the president and owner of The Witherington Insurance Group, Inc. in Troy.

He is active in community, civic and business organizations. He is a member and past president and Paul Harris Fellow of the Troy Rotary Club, served on the board of directors and as past president of Southeast Alabama Gas District, a member of the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association and the Professional Insurance Agents Association.

In addition to serving on the Troy City Council, Witherington is a member of the Alabama League of Municipalities, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, serves on the board of directors for the Troy City School Education Foundation, on the advisory board and member of the Troy Pike Center for Technology and a member of the Troy State University Action Club and a TSU corporate sponsor.

He is a member of Southside Baptist Church in Troy, where he is a deacon, director of the Sunday School program and Baptist layman of mission service.

In his spare time, Witherington enjoys spending time with his family, jogging, hunting and weekend farming.