Marcia Jowers is the owner and publisher of the Murphy Messenger. Marcia began her newspaper career in 1986, and has worked for several major newspaper groups in Tennessee, Alabama and Texas. She launched the Messenger in October, 2004 truly believing in the concept of a localized hometown newspaper. Publishing the Messenger has been her most rewarding career accomplishment. To contact Marcia: marcia@murphymessenger.com 
Councilman Mike Daniel Seeks Reelection, Place 5
Mike Daniel, who was elected this past November to fill the Place 5 seat vacated by Murray Sanderford, has thoroughly enjoyed his brief tenure on council and is seeking reelection for a full 3-year term in the May election.
When asked about the biggest challenge he sees Murphy facing, Councilmember Daniel replied, “I see traffic related issues as the largest challenge over the next several years. Murphy Road is a catastrophe and absolutely must be widened and improved. We must also find a way to keep through traffic on our major thoroughfares and out of our neighborhoods. It would also be nice to have our medians landscaped and appropriately illuminated.”
Parks and trails are also important to Mr. Daniel. “Our parks and trails have taken a back seat for far too long. As a result, we’re way behind and need to catch up. Council is diligently working on preparing a bond package to bring to the voters of Murphy that would include funds for substantial improvements of our parks and trails.”
Councilmember Daniel is a former Planning & Zoning commissioner and charter member of the Community Leadership Council (CLC). He is a member of the Murphy Cemetery Association where he works with the Murphy Middle School Junior Historians on various projects to honor and preserve the history of Murphy. He is currently Vice President of the Rolling Ridge Estates HOA and member of the Murphy Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to direct questions to Councilmember Daniel you may do so on the Community Forums, Ask The Candidates, at: www.murphymessenger.com or visit his website at www.MikeForMurphy.com to learn more about the candidate.
Council Seat Place 5 Sought by Terry Lynn Stallcup
Vote. That is what Terry Lynn Stallcup urges all registered voters in Murphy to do in the May election for City Council. The decisions made in this election, she feels, will determine the economic future of Murphy.
Ms. Stallcup feels Murphy is at a very critical time in its growth and making the right choices is crucial. She said the city and its citizens have many needs and wants to enhance their quality of life and sense of community, but to get them, the city needs a solid financial base and careful planning so taxes do not increase. Candidate Stallcup said the city needs to strengthen its economic development and balance revenue and expenses to maintain a low property rate and securing a solid foundation to make improvements in the city’s infrastructure, roads and to make improvements in quality lifestyle amenities like parks and trails.
Seeking a Council seat after serving two years on the 4A Economic Development Board, Candidate Stallcup says she is well aware of the issues facing Murphy. Roads, Infrastructure and Economic Development are at the top of her priority list. “These three things make a solid foundation on which to grow, and are needed to provide the parks and other items citizens want to enhance their quality of life.” Of particular concern is the delay of the North Murphy Road expansion, which has been pushed back to 2010 and will impede access to commercial and residential properties. These “missed windows” of opportunity are what Ms. Stallcup feels are road blocks to Murphy’s economic future and fiscal responsibility.
Ms. Stallcup holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and a Certificate in Marketing from SMU. She is the President-Elect of the Dallas Human Resource Management Assoc., co-founder of Career Care at St. Andrew UMC and is President of Ultimate Consulting, Inc.
To learn more about Terry Lynn Stallcup’s campaign platform, visit: www.TerryLynnStallcup.com