Election Day is fast approaching and the citizens of Pearl River` have many choices on the ballot besides the Presidential election.

This year, the 4th Congressional District has a strong candidate, Lt. Col. Mark Gladney (retired) running against Steven Palazzo. As we say in the 4th Congressional District, “Where is Steven Palazzo?” “Not here.” He does not do town hall meetings in person, but by conference calls. His personal visits are to Republican functions and photo opportunities. If you have a problem and call his office, no one ever returns your call unless you are on his donor list. He voted to reduce the retirement benefits to military personnel retiring before age 62 to the extent that each veteran stands to lose $100,000 a year compared to a military retiree that is now over 65. He voted against Hurricane Sandy relief; a slap in the face to all of the volunteers from the Northeast who came to our aid after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. What a “thank you” that was. He is in favor of privatizing Social Security and the Veterans Administration. And let’s not forget, he now belongs “Millionaire’s Club” in Congress meaning his net worth tops $1 million.

Mark Gladney is a veteran with 27 years of service in the U.S. Army, retiring in 2013 as a Lieutenant Colonel with numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Master Army Aviator Wing. Mark’s military career includes multiple overseas tours in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

After returning to Mississippi, Mark began his next career as a helicopter pilot/field base manager for a global transportation company that services the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico. It is a career he enjoys tremendously; especially his

interactions with the offshore oil and gas workers whom he considers to be some of the hardest working people he has ever met.

Mark has one daughter, Kaleigh. He spends almost all his free time with her and they share strong interests in horses and flying. If asked, he will tell you she is his biggest motivation and his greatest accomplishment in life.

Mark is running for the United States Congress, because all Mississippians deserve better. Just getting by isn’t nearly enough. Empty promises and extreme ideology won’t fix the problems. Results fix problems.

Leaders like Mark will put Mississippi first and build a better future for all Mississippians.

Voters in the House of Representative District 106 will also choose their new representative to serve in the Legislature, filling the seat vacated by the resignation of Herb Frierson. This will be a crowded field, so voters should study the issues very carefully, keeping in mind the shenanigans of the Republican super majority this past year and the constant accounting “errors” that result in additional cuts to programs that can least afford it.

The Democrats are preparing for an active election season. Signs for Mark Gladney are available in both Poplarville and Picayune. Other campaign material is available upon request. In preparation for this election, the 4th Congressional District Democratic Committee will host a training session covering voter registration, Get Out The Vote, volunteering, recruiting super volunteers and navigating our data software. This training is open to all Democrats who will be participating in this election as volunteers, poll workers, poll watchers, canvassers, phone banking or candidates including potential municipal candidates running next year. The training will be Saturday, September 17 at the Woodall Technology Center, 906 Sullivan Dr., Hattiesburg from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We will break for lunch from 11:30 – 12:30. The Woodall Center is behind the Multi-Purpose Center on Highway 49, South of Hattiesburg. For more information, please contact Agnes Dalton at rockman1935@aol.com. Space is limited, so please RSVP soon.

As always, you can keep up with our candidates and activities on Facebook at Pearl River Democrats, Picayune Democrats and Young Democrats of Pearl River County; or on our website: prcdec.com.