This year’s city elections continued to garner interest lastweek as the mayor’s race gained another candidate and aldermanraces saw two new entrants, according to records with the CityClerk’s office.

The Rev. Jerry Durr, director of Outreach Ministries, became thefourth person to sign up to seek the city’s highest office. Durrspoke about God’s role in influencing his vision for the city.

“I want to see Brookhaven grow in all aspects,” Durr said. “Myvision is for unity in the community.”

Durr mentioned a desire to help all segments of the community,from youth to senior citizens; economic development throughout thecity; and efforts to encourage new business and industry to locatehere.

Durr will face incumbent Mayor Bill Godbold, current Alderman atlarge Henry Newman and Roger Ruffin Osborne in the Democraticprimary on May 1. There are no Republican mayoral candidates.

In another citywide race, Donna Wilkerson joined the field ofcandidates seeking the alderman at large post.

Wilkerson, who was unavailable for comment, will face Les L.Bumgarner and Mrs. Jerry L. Wilson in the Democratic primary. NoRepublicans have qualified in the race.

Also last week, Ward 6 tied Ward 2 tied as having the mostcandidates of any race so far. With Nell Beeson’s qualifying forWard 6 Alderman, both races now have five candidates.

Beeson, a Democrat, will face incumbent John E. “Buddy” Allen,Leroy Hewitt and Billy G. Carson in that party’s primary. KeithPeden is running as a Republican.

As of Friday, 29 candidates had signed up to go after 11 electedcity offices. The deadline to qualify to run is March 2.

Other offices and candidates (all Democrats unless noted)include:

* City Clerk: Incumbent Iris Rudman.

* City Tax Collector: Incumbent Pat Duckworth.

* Chief of Police – Arlustra “Pap” Henderson and BatemanStilley.

* Ward 1 Alderman – Incumbent Dorsey Cameron and RooseveltCollins.

* Ward 2 Alderman – Incumbent Terry Bates, Charlie Lee Smith,Rolanda Spiller, J.D. Watkins and Billy Simon

* Ward 3 Alderman – Incumbent the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson andClarence B. “Doc” Johnson.

* Ward 4 Alderman – Jerry B. Case and Republicans Boyce Bullockand Gary S. Boutwell.

* Ward 5 Alderman – Incumbent Tom Smith.

The city election schedule calls for party primaries to be heldMay 1 and runoffs, where needed, will be May 15. The generalelection is June 5.