I am excited to announce that I will be running for Mayor of Reidsville in the election to be held on November 7, 2023.  I first want to say that I have prayed over this decision, and I feel this is the path I am to follow at this point in my life.  I have witnessed firsthand over the past years the direction in which our city is headed, and I felt I had to get into this race.

Briefly, I want to tell you a little about myself.  I was born and raised in Reidsville, actually on the prison reservation, where my daddy worked for thirty-eight years with the Department of Corrections.  My parents were O.C. and Mary Fountain.  Out of four children, three of us followed our daddy’s path and worked for the Department of Corrections.

My brother, Ronald Fountain, now deceased; my sister, Lisa Fountain Upton (Steve); and I each worked and retired with 34 years of service. My brother, Donald Fountain, chose a different path and has been with the Rotary Corporation for almost 50 years. I have two grown children, Ryan (Jennifer) Collins and Brooke Butler, and one stepdaughter, Natalie Nail.  I also have six grandchildren.  I have been married to Cecil Attriss Nail for 22 years.  He retired from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant, E-9, with 29 years of service.   He also served in Vietnam and in the Iraq Conflict.  

During my time with Corrections, I served in many capacities at Georgia State Prison, and at the Regional Office.   I am very familiar with budgets, personnel issues, grievances, and court related issues. 

Following my retirement, I returned to my love of art.  I continue to paint to this date.  However, I always felt I could do more.   So, I got involved with our community, serving as Co-Chair of the Planning and Zoning Authority, and I am presently the Chairman of the Reidsville Development Authority (RDA).  I resigned from the Planning and Zoning Authority back in May of this year, 2023.  The RDA has brought new businesses to our city, and we are always ready to help and support our downtown businesses in any way we can.

I am running for many reasons; one is to stop the secrecy of what takes place in your City Hall.  Each and every citizen has the right to know about large purchases or any major changes before they are voted on by the council.  

If elected, you will see much change in the way your City Hall is operated.   Each one of you have the right to be heard and treated with respect. I will be requesting more grant funds, instead of using your taxpayer dollars for areas that require immediate attention, such as our water lines, sewer issues, infrastructure, getting rid of dilapidated properties, and much more.  To make these changes, and so many more, I need your support and your vote. 

With your help, your vote, we can move our city forward.   Our elected officials’ jobs should be to ensure our community’s safety, promote a positive environment for our families to live in, businesses to grow in, and attract and promote new businesses.  We live in a remarkable city filled with history, talented and educated people, who share a deep appreciation for our city.  We have what it takes to make our city a thriving, economically viable, sustainable environment for our families, new business, and seasonal tourists.  I will make every effort to clean up our downtown area so all those passing through will take notice.

I have to be realistic and know that all this will not happen overnight.  I will not make any immediate major changes, if elected.  I have learned that it is better to sit back, watch, learn, and listen for several months before putting forth change.   Also, realizing that if I should win this election, I will not have a vote in issues I propose to the council.  At this time, the council members are not working together, some have their own agendas.  My hope is to change this and work together with all citizens and council persons for the betterment of our city.

In closing, I will be the “People’s Mayor.” My door will be open to each and every one of you.  It is my understanding that an audit is presently in progress.  If necessary, I will have another one, if elected.  I will take responsibility for anything I do, but I will not take responsibility for matters that happened before I take office, should I be elected.

Please get out and vote.  This may be one of the most important elections as far back as I can remember.  I thank each of you for your time in reading my announcement, and I look forward to getting out and speaking with as many of you as possible.

Vickie Fountain Nail.