FROM STAFF REPORTS

DEMOPOLIS &8212;An incumbent and a challenger with a familiar name joined the ranks of those seeking office in the city&8217;s municipal elections.

City council incumbent District 3 Melvin Yelverton qualified to run again, as did Charles E. Jones Jr., who is seeking the District 2 seat.

The District 2 seat is currently held by Charles Jones Sr., who has informed The Times previously that he will not run again for city council.

Mayoral race

The mayoral race still features only two candidates &8212; incumbent Mayor Cecil P. Williamson and Demopolis business owner Mike Grayson.

Williamson won a narrow victory over Grayson in 2004.

Williamson, who is finishing up her first term as mayor, said she wants to finish up the work she began when she took office.

Council races

In the city council races, six people have submitted qualifying paperwork. Two candidates, Thomas O. Moore Sr. and Dexter Jones, will vie for the District 1 spot. So far, Bill Meador Jr. is the only candidate to qualify for the District 4 seat, as is the case with District 5, where John R. &8220;Jack&8221; Cooley is seeking re-election.Moore has served four terms with the city council, and said he feels as though he has one more term to see his goals for the city accomplished. Two of his chief concerns are well-paying jobs for citizens and improving infrastructure in his district. Moore has worked to secure grant funds for a major drainage project in the area.

Qualifying ends July 15.

Staff writer Kelli Wright contributed to this report.