With another election year coming up for Brookhaven voters, oneprominent city official will not be returning to the ballot in2009.

After serving as mayor since he was sworn in in May 2004, MayorBob Massengill has announced that he will not run for a secondterm.

“After much thought, prayer, and discussion with my family, Ihave decided not to run for another term,” he said.

Massengill has helped to spearhead several projects in his timeas alderman and mayor, such as the Linbrook Business Park, theJimmy Furlow Senior Citizens’ Center and the spray parks, which arecurrently being constructed. Massengill had previously served asalderman of Ward Four, before taking on the office of mayor.

In looking at the progress made during his administration,Massengill said he feels the city is taking strides toward thefuture. He said he hoped voters would look for qualified candidatesin the next election that would further the momentum ofBrookhaven’s progress.

“I hope you agree that the city is heading in the rightdirection,” he said. “I further hope you’ll give carefulconsideration to those you support for city offices in thiselection, as those men and women will determine the direction ofthe city for the next four years.”

The mayor said he hopes some of the current projects that areunder way will be complete before he leaves office.

“There are still a lot of things to do, and during the next sixmonths my hope is that we’ll get some of these things wrapped up,”he said.

And to those who might consider the job in the future,Massengill offered some words of advice.

“If it’s done the way it should be, it’s not an easy job,” hesaid. “Nor can you accomplish everything that needs to be done oreverything you want to. You have to prioritize.”

In addition, he said, being able to work closely with the boardof aldermen is integral to the position.

“These priorities are established not only from the mayor’soffice but the board, who are tremendously important in the overallprocess of directing where the city goes,” he said.

Massengill said the choice not to run again was a hard one, buthe felt that God led him to the mayor’s office in 2004, when he wonin a special election when former Mayor Bill Godbold stepped downfor medical reasons. He said he was proud of the changes he’d seensince he took office in the city he always referred to as “theshining star of Southwest Mississippi.”

“I have done my best to serve all of the people of Brookhaven asmayor these past five years and I feel much has been accomplished,”he said. “But I assure you that I’ll continue serving to the bestof my ability these next six months.”