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Ledbetter to run for state House

From staff reports
The Times-Journal

Published March 12, 2010

Former Rainsville councilman and mayor Nathaniel Ledbetter announced Friday his candidacy for the District 24 seat on the Alabama House of Representatives.

Ledbetter said he wants to bring new ideas and a vision for progress to the House.

“Throughout my service as a city councilman and mayor in the city of Rainsville, as well as my work in economic development, my focus has always been on working toward progress in our communities,” said Ledbetter. “I want to take that same determination to Montgomery."

Ledbetter, a resident of Rainsville, works with key commercial accounts and economic development with Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative, where he has been employed for more than 30 years. He and his wife, the former Teresa Wilks, have two sons and one granddaughter. They are expecting three more grandchildren this year.

House District 24 encompasses most of DeKalb County, including Fort Payne, Valley Head, Hammondville, Mentone, Rainsville, Fyffe, Shiloh, Lakeview, Powell, Sylvania, Henagar, Ider, Cartersville and Sulpher Springs.

Ledbetter said public service has been central to his life. He was first elected to the Rainsville City Council in 1984 at the age of 23. He served 14 years with the city, as a council member and as mayor.

He said during his years in city government, he worked hard to create opportunities for his fellow citizens. By working alongside business leaders, concerned citizens, educators and other elected officials, Ledbetter said he was part of tremendous progress for the city.

Some of the projects he was involved in include bringing Sola Hevi-Duty and RTI to Rainsville and working with community leaders and elected officials in Fort Payne and throughout DeKalb and Jackson counties, as well as state and federal officials, to build the Northeast Alabama Agri-Business Center — a multi-purpose facility that will bring tourists into the region and have an economic impact on communities through DeKalb and Jackson counties.

Other projects include upgrading and modernizing the Rainsville Fire Department, improving police protection, streamlining sanitation service, developing the Field of Dreams Sports Complex, building the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center, which serves as a nutrition site and senior activities center, paving roads throughout the city and working with neighboring towns to pursue grants and expand sewer service into other communities.

Ledbetter said he also worked with county officials to locate a revenue commissioner and probate judge annex in Rainsville, which brought more convenient service to all county residents when paying property taxes, buying vehicle license plates, and renewing licenses

"This is my home, and I have many concerns about this region,” Ledbetter said. “These are tough times, I know, but I believe we can do a better job of bringing progress to our district. As the District 24 representative, I will work hard with all our elected officials to support our communities and to help brings jobs to DeKalb County."

In addition to economic development, Ledbetter said he will focus on finding solutions to the problems facing Alabama’s education system.

"There is no one who is more concerned with educating our children than I am,” he said. “With a wife, two sons, and a daughter-in-law who all work in education, I hear the concerns of our educators, and I know the challenges they face. We can do better.”

Ledbetter said he is also concerned with supporting fire and rescue departments, which he said is “the backbone of our communities.”

“Agribusiness is the top industry in the state, and DeKalb County is one of the top agriculture producing counties,” Ledbetter said. “I am passionate about supporting the work of our farming families,” he said.

An online headquarters has been established for Ledbetter’s campaign at ledbetter 2010.com.

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