VIDALIA, La. – As a regular visitor to Vidalia Board of Aldermen meetings, Kathy Nunnery likes to stay abreast of what local officials are doing.

&uot;Every month I’m there, listening to what’s being said and what’s going on,&uot; said Nunnery, 49. &uot;I don’t always agree with what they say, but I&160;understand the reasoning behind it.&uot;

And now she is working to make her involvement official by running for a District 3 seat on the board. Nunnery said the reason she is running for the office is to help build on the success Vidalia is already having.

&uot;We have great schools and a great community, but we need something to keep our kids and grandkids in the area,&uot; Nunnery said.

&uot;The riverfront is going to help our economy, … but we need to bring in more industry, something that will stay here,&uot; she said. &uot;If they need someone to talk to (industry) to help get them here, I’d definitely be willing to do that.&uot;

Nunnery, who worked as a real estate agent for 12 years, said she sees a need to attract additional moderately priced housing to the area &uot;for the younger people who are just getting started.&uot;

Given the resources, Nunnery would like to see the town get an early warning system to alert residents to incoming storms.

She would also like for Vidalia to start more summer programs for children who aren’t interested in athletics as well as more programs for senior citizens.

Being an aldermen can be a time-intensive job, but Nunnery said that her job’s flexible hours would give her more time to invest in the position.

&uot;I’m willing to work for the people, to be available,&uot; said Nunnery who, like opponent Jon D. Betts, is already visiting District 3 residents door-to-door.