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Mayor to councilman councilman to mayor?

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: July 6, 2009

After 24 years, Everette Clark is ready to step aside and let someone else take over as mayor of Marion. Steve Little, the city's current mayor pro tem, could be that person.
Monday was the first day of the filing period for candidates in the Marion and Old Fort elections.
Clark, who's been the mayor of Marion since 1985, filed this time as a candidate for the Marion City Council. Little, who's been a member of the City Council for just as long, is now a candidate for mayor.
Clark, 68, said he's ready to turn the mayor's office over to someone else. He added his wife, Nancy, is retired and he's looking forward to spending more time with friends and family.
"I've given it a lot of thought and I know Steve Little had aspirations to run for mayor," said Clark.
However, Little said whenever people in the past urged him to seek the office, he always told them that Marion already had a good mayor. But he and Clark talked about possibly changing their roles with the city government. They filed as candidates at the same time on Monday.
"I do think this is a very challenging time for the city," said Little, adding that Marion continues to deal with the effects of the economic recession.
Little said he wants to continue working to improve the relationship between the Marion City Council and the McDowell County Commissioners.
"I would appreciate the people's consideration for me as mayor," he said.
Little, 58, was first elected to the council in 1985. He is an attorney and is the senior partner with the law firm of Little & Lattimore. He lives at 370 South Garden St.
In his campaign, Little said he would not use any yard signs, saying that they can become unsightly.
Clark said he could still contribute to the city as a councilman. He maintains his connections with state government officials and can call on them if necessary.
"It's going to give me a little more time and a little relief," said Clark.
He's also endorsing Little for mayor.
"(Little's) not going to have to go through any kind of learning process," said Clark.
He's been a councilman before holding that position from 1972 to 1985, when he became mayor.
In addition to his mayoral duties, Clark works as a real estate broker and residential real estate appraiser. He lives at 330 Fleming Ave.
In addition to Little and Clark, other people threw their hats in the ring on Monday. Lloyd Cuthbertson will seek another term on the Marion City Council. Juanita Doggett filed as a candidate for the council as well. Old Fort Alderman Pete Matthews will seek another term. The McDowell News will have profiles of these candidates on Wednesday.