paid political announcement/Butch Lee running for Transportation Commissioner

My name is Butch Lee and I currently serve as the Mayor of Brandon, MS. I am frequently asked, "Why would you choose to run for a state office? Why now? Why would I want to become involved with transportation?" This article is meant to provide you, the voter, with some insight into that decision.

First, over thirty years ago I began an emergency response career as a fire fighter in McComb, MS. Emergency transportation experiences concerning interstates, highways and railroads led to being recruited by the MS State Fire Academy for the development of statewide emergency response training programs. While serving as your state employee, we successfully developed programs to reduce loss of life, improve safety and protect our communities.

Secondly, after retiring from the fire service in 2005, I answered the call to serve in local government in Brandon. Serving a second term as Mayor, I know first-hand how important our highway system is for maintaining our quality of life. I travel in the state hearing the same phrase, "Ya'll have it going on in Brandon!" Today, growing at an 8% population rate, we are the 16th largest city in the state.

Those two successful career choices, improving our statewide emergency response system and leading local government toward prosperity, are the qualifications I bring to this election. I believe a modern, safe highway transportation is the life blood of our state, touching every part of our daily lives – our state and local economy, our public safety, education and healthcare, and our dependence on agriculture - all require we maintain transportation. Simply, our roads and bridges are the foundation of how we live our lives.

Many county bridges were built to last 35-40 years, and modern highway bridges are built to last 75 years. With more than 1,200 state bridges in our state approaching 90-100 years old, they are at the end of their useful, safe service life. Today, we have over 400 county bridges and 4 state highway bridges closed and hundreds more posted with weight restrictions. It is time we get serious about finding solutions to fix our roads and bridges.

With the support and encouragement of dedicated public officials such as Governor Phil Byrant, retiring Commissioner Dick Hall, dozens of state elected officials and hundreds of local elected officials from around our state, I entered this election. Our citizens, cities, counties and businesses live with our weakening roads and bridges every day. It's time for a fresh, new focus on transportation. The problems can't be prolonged, avoided, or kicked down the road any longer. We owe our next generation the same safe highways we have had for decades.

My goal is to represent the people, keeping people above politics, in the 22 counties of the Central Mississippi Transportation District professionally, with dedication, a strong work ethic, and renew energy toward problem solving. Applying these characteristics has served to move Mississippi and Brandon forward. I have demonstrated that work performance.

If you agree and believe it's time for a new perspective from a dedicated public servant who can envision the future and who has demonstrated successful work performance – I'm that person. I promise you that I will put people above politics and get the job done.

On November 5, I humbly ask for your vote.