Staff Writer

For years, David “Tubo” Owens' jobs have included supervising the Uniquely Union festival, heading up fund-raisers for those in need, and for the past 22 years, working for the City of Union in different capacities.

Now, he would like to try his hand at directing the city as its mayor.

Monday, the 52-year-old property maintenance inspector for the city announced that he is a candidate for the mayor's position. He is the ninth man to announce for the position, which will be decided by write-in during the November election. Mayor Bruce Morgan was unopposed for re-election when he resigned on July 17, hours before it was announced that he and building and zoning director Jeff Lawson had been indicted by a federal grand jury for conspiring to accept kickbacks. The ballot will be left blank because state law does not allow the filing period to be reopened.

“I feel like I know the daily operations of the City of Union,” Owens said. “I know and understand that it is big business. I just feel like I can lead our town into the future. I'd like to continue working with our county government - which there is a close relationship there now. We have got to get some industry into Union County. We've got to try and help the small business people - people who are already in business plus people who want to open a business - as much as we possibly can.”

In recent years, Union has experienced some growth, Owens said, but there is still much to be done to lower unemployment caused in part by the county's dependence on the textile industry.

“It will take every citizen working together to improve our city,” he said.

Owens is a 1974 graduate of Union High School. He worked for the public safety department for 19 years before assuming his present position. He also owns Big Daddy's, a competition barbecue team.

He is a member of Lakeside Baptist Church. He has been director of the Uniquely Union Festival for the past seven years. He also is a past two-term president of the Union High School Band Aide Club.