Retired Alabama Department of Public Safety employee and Centre native Jay Howell has qualified and announced plans to seek the office of mayor of his hometown.

Howell recently retired from the Alabama Department of Public Safety after serving for 25 years, including two years in the highway patrol division.

Howell spent 15 years as a narcotics investigator and eight years in dignitary protection. For two of those years, he was assigned to protect the President Pro Tem of the Alabama Senate; he spent the other six years assigned to protect Gov. Bob Riley and First lady Patsy Riley.

Howell currently works part time for the Alabama Department of Homeland Security.

Howell said he wants to focus his energies as mayor on three issues that he believes will improve the quality of life for all Centre residents: economic development, downtown revitalization and infrastructure enhancement.

“If we can improve these three areas in Centre there is no limit to the potential of our city,” Howell said. “We can grow the kind of city that our children and grandchildren will want to return to and raise their families.”

Howell said he believes the City of Centre’s best days lie ahead provided the residents are willing to work together for the betterment of all.

“I offer myself for service to the citizens of Centre and I will provide leadership, trust and a vision for our future,” he said.

Howell is the son of Bobbi and the late Jackie Howell and is married to Kim Graves Howell. Jay and Kim have three children between them-Carson Howell, Kate Carter and Matt Carter.

Howell is a 1981 graduate of Cherokee County High School and a 1986 graduate of Jacksonville State University. He is active in the community as a member of Centre First Methodist Church, the Cherokee County High School Quarterback Club, Sam Dixon Lodge No. 218 and Zamora Shrine.