Don Estes is in line to become the next Ward Four alderman afterbeing the only candidate to qualify for the city post by the Fridaydeadline.

Aldermen are expected appoint Estes as alderman at Tuesday’sboard meeting, said City Clerk Mike Jinks.

“He’ll be sworn in after that,” Jinks said.

Estes, 65, said he had spoken with Chancery Judge Ed Pattenabout scheduling a time for the swearing-in ceremony. The retiredbusiness owner said he wants to put his experience to work for thecity.

“I want to try to work as hard as I can for the people of WardFour and the city as a whole,” Estes said.

Estes said he plans to keep an open door for constituents andbusiness owners to listen and talk to them and try to solvewhatever problems they may have.

Estes expressed some concerns about areas that, while notneglected, may have been overlooked. He mentioned a need to workwith business owners who may not actually live Ward Four but whoseefforts contribute to the city’s well-being.

“The businesses contribute a tremendous amount of tax revenue tothe city,” Estes said.

Estes said the city also has some budget problems, but he waslooking forward to working with Mayor Bob Massengill and the boardto address those and get the budget in line.

The Ward Four alderman seat was vacant after Massengill won aspecial election for mayor in June.

Estes will serve the unexpired term through June 2005. Regularelections for mayor, alderman and other city posts are nextyear.