Johnny O. Godwin has announced his candidacy for the Andalusia City Council District 4 seat.

Godwin is a 1966 graduate of Andalusia High School. He attended LBW Community College and later graduated from Troy University in 1972 with a degree in finance.

He and his wife, Nelda, have been self-employed for the past 27 years. He said he believes his extensive knowledge as a small business owner will serve him well, if elected.

“I have a lot of pride in Andalusia and its people,” he said. “I am pleased with the improvements of Andalusia’s infrastructure, and we must strive to maintain this progress.”

Godwin said he would work to upgrade and maintain the services “our citizens deserve and expect our city to provide” by working to increase the city’s tax base.

“(That means) new job growth, a population increase related to job growth and the growth and expansion of our retail outlets and restaurants,” he said. “We need to make Andalusia the primary shopping location of South Central Alabama.”

Godwin said he believes each council member has a fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer.

“I am well aware, you can’t have everything you want,” he said. “You have to make hard decisions sometimes, and put projects off until a later date when funds are available. We must be concerned with every dollar of tax payers money we spend, to make sure we make the right choices.”

Godwin said if elected, he will work with the mayor and city council, “not against them,” and will maintain an open-door policy for citizens.