City officials in Monticello will be contending for their jobs come June 4 as all but one elected office faces an opposition candidate.

Ward Three Alderman Martha Watts will exclusively remain in her seat at city hall while her incumbent colleagues vie for theirs.

Mayor

Eyeing a fifth term, Mayor David Nichols II is approaching the race for his office with confidence.

“It’s an honor to serve the citizens of Monticello,” he said Wednesday. “I have always strived to make it a better place to live and will continue to do that.”

Nichols’ competition includes public works supervisor Bobby Herring and former Monticello police officer Scott Stormo. Herring was unavailable for comment, and Stormo chose not to comment on his mayoral ambitions.

Ward One

In Ward One, incumbent alderman Jerry Goode is basing his campaign on 16 years of experience in the office, as well as accomplishments along the way.

“We have been very successful in my last four administrations,” he said. “We have upgraded the entire town comprehensively.”

In contrast, opposition candidate Donald Walters is not impressed with Goode’s performance.

“Mr. Goode has been in office for 16 years and he hasn’t done anything with it,” Walters said. “I’ll let his record speak for itself.”

If elected, Walters said one problem he intends to tackle is a drainage issue causing standing water on certain streets within the ward.

Ward Two

Ward Two voters will also be deciding between a recent city office seeker and a seasoned incumbent. David Penny is looking to upset current Ward Two Alderman Steven Moreman.

According to Moreman, his campaign will be run on his experience as a three-term municipal official as well as an opportunity to finish what he started.

“The are a lot of things we are working on, and I would like to see them through to the end,” Moreman said.

Penny could not be reached for comment.

Ward Four

In Ward Four, retired construction worker Larry N. Smith will be challenging incumbent alderman Kevin Garrett.

Smith said he was inspired to run for alderman after numerous requests from people to tackle the office. If elected, he intends to help restore the economy by bringing more business to the town.

“I am going to concentrate my time on trying to get Monticello back to what it used to be,” he said.

According to Garrett, his past two terms were marked with his dedication to bring more industry to Monticello as well as his involvement in improvements to parks and recreation.

“I am always looking for opportunities to bring jobs to Monticello,” he said.

He referred to his participation in the 2012 construction of a National Guard facility in Monticello.

“That was a great example of all of our government working together at its best,” he said. “We accelerated that process. If we had not done that, it may have got cut.”

Garrett also mentioned the addition of cabins at Altwood Water Park during his term and his intent to further improve the downtown vicinity.

“I’d like to see a place in downtown Monticello where folks want to sit and play checkers,” he said.

Ward Five

Ward Five will see incumbent Craig “Bowie” Davis defending his office from retired English teacher Richard Sykes.

Sykes’ unsuccessful campaign for mayor in 2009 left him seeking a potential leadership opportunity as Ward Five alderman this year.

“Mr. Davis has been in there eight years and there have been some bad decisions made as far as town leadership goes,” Sykes said. “We need new leadership; new leadership brings new ideas.”

Davis was also unavailable for comment.

All Monticello candidates are running as independents and will face off in the general election June 4.