Four candidates have announced their intentions to seek the WardFour alderman post that became open following the death of DonEstes last week.

Shirley Estes, wife of the late office-holder; Steve Melancon, aretired attorney who is also retired from the military; Jay Bishop,a self-employed newspaper carrier; and Brookhaven Municipal Airportmanager Boyce Bullock have picked up qualifying papers for the Oct.12 special election. Candidates will need to submit petitions withsignatures of 50 registered Ward Four voters in order to run.

Bullock’s petition was verified Friday, city election officialssaid. He touted his more than 40 years in corporate managementexperience in his decision to seek the elected office.

“This is my home,” said Bullock, who made an unsuccessfulattempt at the office several years ago. “I think we can have a lotbetter community than what we’ve got.”

Others who have announced their candidacy intentions were in theprocess of collecting signatures or were preparing to turn in theirpetitions.

Sept. 22 is the last day to submit petitions and qualify for thespecial election. The special election winner will serve theremainder of the four-year term through June 2005.

Shirley Estes said serving as an aldermen meant a lot to herhusband and she want to honor him by completing what he hadstarted.

“I feel I’m equipped to do the job,” said Estes, citing heryears of community service with the the hospital, the chamber ofcommerce and other local organizations. “I feel I know the peopleof Ward Four well and it would be an honor to serve them.”

Melancon, who now works on historic home restorations, said theelection is about the future of the city. Mentioning a homeimprovements store possibly locating here, the multi-modaltransportation facility and city employee health insurance, he saidBrookhaven is facing several issues and challenges.

“As we face that, Ward Four needs to have good representation,”said Melancon, expressing a desire to work with other aldermen andcity officials toward common goals.

Bishop, who retired after more than 25 years in the radiobusiness, viewed his candidacy as a way of helping the ward and thecity.

“I think I have something to offer the voters and thepopulation,” said Bishop, citing his knowledge of Brookhaven andhis desire for its continued growth and citizens’ well-being.