James V. (Jim) Perdue of Luverne has announced his candidacy for re-election as Probate Judge of Crenshaw County.

Perdue has served in this capacity since Jan. of 2002.

In his past years of public service, Perdue said that he has enjoyed having a direct involvement in the economic growth in Crenshaw County.

&#8220We have seen more than 1,000 new jobs come into this county to new and existing industry,” he said. &#8220My experience as a small business owner, chairman of the Industrial Development Board and my service as Probate Judge has helped to assist our efforts in this growth.”

Perdue worked for seven years with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta at the Miami and the Birmingham branches before returning to Luverne in 1980 to buy the family business, Perdue-Folmar Company, which is a construction company that built aluminum products, including awnings, carports and convenience store canopies in Alabama and in surrounding states.

In addition to being president of the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce, Perdue also serves as vice-chairman of the State Private Industry Council, chairman of the Alabama Probate Judges Association Legislative Committee, and he is an active member of the Luverne Rotary Club. He is also a member of the South Central Alabama Development Commission and serves as president of the Crenshaw County Historical Society.

One of Perdue's accomplishments includes helping to secure the facility for the new Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Luverne Center.

&#8220The education and skills training center will be one of the best opportunities for our area citizens,” he said.

&#8220Also, we have been fortunate to have a new community center in Helicon, and we look forward to the development of a new center in Honoraville as well. These centers will serve our senior citizens with essential services.”

Another item Perdue feels is important is the one-stop tag purchases.

&#8220One-stop tag purchases has been one of the top priorities during the past four years,” he said. &#8220A bill was offered to the Crenshaw County Commission two years ago to accomplish this change. As soon as the renovations in the courthouse are completed and the bill is reintroduced, the one-stop tag purchases will be completed.”

Perdue is a graduate of Luverne High School and Auburn University with a Business degree in Accounting. He is the son of Guy and Mary Perdue and is a member of South Luverne Baptist Church. He has two children, Mike, who is a music teacher and a graduate student, and Mary Cathryn, who is a sophomore at Luverne High School.

&#8220I have enjoyed the privilege of serving as Probate Judge for the past four years, and I hope that the citizens of Crenshaw County will elect to keep me in this office,” Perdue said.

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