Joe Rex Sport, mayor of Luverne since January of 2003, has this week announced that he will be seeking a full term as Mayor of Luverne. Sport, as Mayor Pro-Tem, took office to replace John Harrison, who was appointed by Gov. Bob Riley to head the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

"When I took office, we as a council had several projects in motion that have since been completed," said Sport. "We also have made great strides in the completion of other projects as well."

Sport listed some of the accomplishments of this council.

"We have completed the drainage and housing rehabilitation program between Hawkins and Clements avenues, we have added more than 100 new customers/homes to our public sewage system, and are in the process of completing the water and sewage infrastructure additions for the SMART Alabama plant on Montgomery Highway," he said. "We have also purchased a new garbage truck and updated our police department fleet, and have purchased a new extrication and rescue equipment vehicle for the fire department."

Sport said the city has also made progress in the addition of a new bridge into Country Lane.

"We will begin construction on the new bridge in July," Sport said. "The contract will be let in the near future for paving on several streets around the downtown area of Luverne and the courthouse."

You don't have to talk long to Sport before realizing the man loves his community, and has the interest of its citizens - and their welfare - at heart all the time.

"I think that you cannot find a better place to raise your family then right here in Luverne, Alabama," he said. "We have excellent schools, healthcare facilities, great recreational facilities, state-of-art firefighting equipment with excellently-trained volunteer personnel, an exceptionally-trained rescue squad, and a very professional police force as well.

"We have a model public library to serve the citizens of Luverne and Crenshaw County, and this is a great asset for everyone, young and old," he said. "We have a diversified business community, with merchants that really care about their patrons and neighbors, and making Luverne a better place to live also."

Sport said the people made Luverne what it is.

"In all that we have discussed, I feel that Luverne's greatest asset is its people," Sport said. "Our citizens are second to none, and are the very reason our community was named the 'Friendliest City of the South'."

Sport, a retired educator who served as Superintendent of the Crenshaw County School System for 17 years prior to retirement, and also served 14 years on the Luverne City Council prior to taking the position as Mayor of Luverne, is married to the former Barbara Butts, and has five children, Kayle, Gary, Derri, Tom and Scott, and nine grandchildren, ranging in age from two to 16.

He welcomes any citizens to contact him whenever he can be of service, by calling him at 335-3741.