Holley Brundidge recently announced that she is seeking the District 2 seat on the Opp City Council.

Brundidge said she believes the time has come for drastic change in the way city government operates.

“Times have changed and to some extent, so must this city,” she said. “The ‘buddy-buddy’ system in Opp must go. We must work together for the city as a whole and not just for a select few to fatten their pockets, but rather for the majority of residents in the city of Opp.”

She said she and her family are average citizens.

“I am part of the working class, which is now, and always has been the backbone of this community,” she said. “I live paycheck to paycheck like the majority of District 2 residents, and other Opp residents. I am not a business owner like most local politicians. I don’t have a dog in the hunt per se as being a business owner and wanting to be in politics.”

For the past seven years, the Brundidges have volunteered and helped run the Opp Parks and Recreation football program, but stopped last year.

“I feel we were able to help both children and parents and teach lifelong lessons they can always use,” Brundidge said. “Each year, we worked with probably 100 kids or so.”

She and her husband have also worked with the Tri-County Football organization, which consists of Opp, Andalusia, Straughn, Crestview, Baker, East Brewton, Greenville, Georgiana and Evergreen, and many others.

She has also worked with former Miss America Deidra Downs on the committee for the Curing Childhood Cancer car tags that helped raise money for Children’s Hospital and research for pediatric cancer.

Brundidge knows first hand the work involved with a special needs child.

“Our child was diagnosed at the age of 18 months with an anaplastic oligodendroglioma grade 3, which is brain cancer, and it came back when he was 5 years old,” she said. “I have helped fight the fight with him and can see the lasting effects associated with what he has been through. When I hear of others in similar situations, I try to help anyone who needs help.”

She also believes her working class background will help her in the District 2 seat because she knows what a good work force means to companies.

“I’m not concerned as much about making Opp look pretty, as I am in recruiting new businesses and industry,” she said. “I believe that prospective business and industry don’t care about a pretty town — they care about workers who work and a supportive community that is encouraging and inviting and welcoming.”

Brundidge said in addition to how the city looks, she is more concerned with how expensive it is to live here.

Brundidge also said if elected, one of the first things she’ll put to use is her grant writing skills.

“I will work to find grants to help our city construct places such as pools and also venues for year-round activities for Opp’s youth,” she said.

She will also work for fairness in every program, especially the Parks and Recreation Department.

She also said she understands hers will be a lone vote in a group of five, but she is willing to work with the council on issues that arise.

“I work well with others and I also can be a take charge kind of woman when it’s called for,” she said. “I am a self starter and I am motivated by the people in District 2 and Opp and what they need. I can’t promise anything but that my ears will always be open to my voters and residents of District 2.”

Brundidge and her husband, Malcom, have five children, ages 8, 9, 11, 12 and 16.

She is a 2010 graduate of Troy University, where she earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology with a minor in psychology.