Marcelin brings out supporters to officially announce run for city commission

By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer

Adner Marcelin officially announced his candidacy for the city commission seat 5 held by Dianne Williams-Cox, but he stayed clear of naming her specifically during a press conference where he also mentioned the endorsement of some former government officials.

Marcelin, who along with Shelby Green are the only challengers for Williams-Cox up to this point, seemed to be playing nice at times. But his dissatisfaction with the current commission was obvious.

“We need moral clarity,” Marcelin said. “The people of Tallahassee, myself included, have tried reasoning with our city commissioners in every way possible. But over the last year the public has pleaded its case time and time again and has only been ignored.”

Marcelin, who ran the law office of civil rights attorney Ben Crump before leaving to help operate a credit union, said he had the endorsement of his former boss. Crump’s friend Daryl Parks also is supporting his campaign, Marcelin said.

At the press conference last Wednesday, former City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, former Mayor Dot Inman-Johnson, former County Commissioners Bob Rackleff and Cliff Thaell were there to support him. Tabitha Frazier, former Water Conservation District Supervisor, has also endorsed Marcelin.

Marcelin said a “history of deal-making in creating the city hall system” drove him to launch his campaign. City Hall has become a place where “A chosen few” get results, he said.

While he didn’t name Williams-Cox, he said the majority of the board needs to be changed. Williams-Cox historically has been in the majority with Mayor John Dailey and Commissioner Curtis Richardson on many issues.

Among the list of issues that make up his platform, Marcelin named homelessness and the lack of affordable housing as priorities.

Williams-Cox declined to comment on anything specific about either of her challengers, but said her record should be enough for voters to support her. Williams-Cox, an advocate for people in underserved communities since before being elected to the commission in 2018, cited several initiatives she’s supported.

She mentioned a StarMetro transit center to be built on the Southside, funding for redevelopment of Orange Avenue Apartments as projects she’s supported. She also defended her stance to vote for $27 million in Blueprint dollars for work at Doak Campbell Stadium.

Support for law enforcement and public safety are two other areas that Williams-Cox touted among her list of accomplishments. There are other initiatives that she would like to complete with another term, Williams-Cox said.

“We have only scratched the surface,” she said. “Things take time and four years isn’t enough. Look how long we’ve been fighting for civil rights and we still don’t have it.

“We are moving our city forward and to give in to somebody else’s agenda will be turning our city over. I’m not interested in turning it over, but moving it forward.”

The size of the field means that voters will have Aug. 25 as a primary date or the general elections on Nov. 8 to decide who gets the seat.