VIDALIA — “Jim” Boren and Frank Duson are running for Vidalia city marshal in the Oct. 2 election.

“Jim” Boren

Boren, the current city marshal, wants to continue in the position to focus on the community, he said.

“You get to go out and help the area you live in,” he said. “I have firm ties to the community in Vidalia.”

Boren said his experience serving as marshal and on the Vidalia Police Department show his qualifications for the position.

“I have 26 years of law enforcement experience,” he said. “Twenty-two of those are in Concordia Parish.”

Boren said the main role of the city marshal is to serve civil papers to area citizens.

“Evictions, garnishments and civil suits are all things I have to serve people,” he said. “I do what the judge orders.”

Boren said he tries to bring concern for those affected, while still performing his duties as marshal.

“Most of the time the people I deal with are not in a good light,” he said. “I will try to bring compassion to them to make the situation easier to handle.”

Frank Duson

Duson said he would bring hard work and dedication to the role of city marshal.

“I will work my hardest to continue to protect and serve the people and strive for the betterment of the community,” he said.

Duson has experience in law enforcement, including work with the Ferriday, Jonesville and Natchez police departments.

“I believe my experience in law enforcement, along with my respect for people and their problems and issues make me the best candidate for the job,” he said.

Duson has also served as justice of the peace for third ward district two and as a substitute for the Concordia Parish school system. Duson said he will make every effort to address the issues the Vidalia residents face, while strengthening the community bond if he is elected.