By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Alabaster’s two mayoral candidates said they have plans to improve the city’s economy while addressing education and quality-of-life issues if they are elected to serve over the next four years.

Voters will have a chance to cast their votes for incumbent Mayor David Frings and challenger Marty Handlon during an Oct. 9 runoff election after neither candidate was able to secure a majority of the vote during the city’s Aug. 28 general election.

Handlon said she would be a “full-time mayor,” and would work to support small businesses in the city and foster relationships with surrounding municipalities and Shelby County.

“Alabaster has done great in the last 12 years, but we’ve been focusing so much on retail growth that we have not taken time to keep relationships healthy with small businesses and developers,” Handlon said. “It’s not been a relationship of ‘What can we do to help you get started?’”

Handlon said she would work to support the city’s newly formed Board of Education.

“I do feel that the mayor has the ability to work with that board and offer any support we can,” Handlon said. “That (city school district) is a reflection of our city and our property values, and I look forward to being a part of that team.”

Frings, who has been Alabaster’s mayor since 2000, said he has a “proven track record,” and said he has helped to foster economic development in the city.

“I’ve got a good track record of bringing in jobs, whether it’s small businesses, retail or corporate. Those new jobs have brought revenue to our city to help fund other projects, in addition to providing jobs for those facing unemployment,” Frings said.

Frings said he would like to use the tax revenues generated by Alabaster’s economic development to build a new fire department, a new police department and make several upgrades at the city’s parks and recreation facilities.

“The city schools will continue to be supported under my watch,” Frings added. “That’s a very important project. I don’t want to interfere with the school board, but I am willing and able to provide any assistance they request.”

Polls for the runoff election will be open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center off U.S. 31.