Madison City Councilman Steve Haraway has announced his candidacy for Madison County Commissioner, District 2.

“The time for Madison County’s future is now. District 2 has new footing to benefit from a new vision more than ever,” Haraway said.

Haraway

Haraway graduated from Bob Jones High School and has lived in District 2 for 37 years. Career experience includes 17 years in electronics sales and 12 years as owner of D & D Contracting Inc., which specializes in site preparation for residential and commercial construction.

In council work, Haraway, 47, has been council president; liaison to the police department, parks and recreation and Madison City Disability Advocacy Board; Madison Utilities vice chairman; Madison County 911 secretary; and assisted recreation boards, schools planning committees and booster clubs.

Haraway cited improved relationships with Huntsville and Madison County and developments including Target, downtown revitalization, Madison Hospital, LEED-certified fire station, road improvements, Hogan Family YMCA and Mill Creek and Bradford Creek greenways.

During his two terms, Mill Creek elementary and James Clemens high schools were built, “alleviating facility overcrowding and allowing more academic services,” Haraway said.

Haraway will use “proven understanding of the issues to best serve the interests of 56,000-plus residents in western Madison County.”

“It’s more important than ever that our district have a commissioner with a complete understanding of (community) needs and history of working in the trenches,” he said.

Haraway stressed five priorities in his platform:

* Equal, accessible representation across the district; usable commission Web site; Internet and television broadcast of meetings.

* Strategically planned infrastructure improvements to support economic development.

* Support of all Huntsville and Madison schools.

* Equipping police and fire departments with latest technologies.

* Adopting spending practices to maximize every tax dollar. “I will take the same level of efficiency we have developed in Madison to the county commission,” Haraway said.

* Continue positive relationships with surrounding governments and municipalities. “It’s critical that we follow up the current cooperative environment to accomplish the needs of our communities,” he said.

“Madison County is facing a series of decisions that will impact the economic climate of our future. We must be proactive in preparing ourselves to take advantage of every opportunity,” he said.

District 2’s new boundaries (clockwise) are west to County Line Road, north on University Drive to Jordan Lane and south/west along Redstone Arsenal to the Tennessee River. District 2 includes all of Madison (within Madison County), Triana and Cummings Research Park.

Haraway and wife Donna have been married 19 years. Their sons are Dustin and Dylan, both Bob Jones students. They are members of Asbury United Methodist Church.

Other District 2 candidates are Tom Butler, Gerald Clark and David Michael Smith.

For more information, visit steveharaway.com.