Mayor Pat Patterson has decided to not run again in the next election. The decision was reported by The Oxford Eagle.
Mayor Patterson has been lauded as much as he has been criticized. The decisions made under his time serving have brought many residents piece of mind and the city more income. The same decisions have been questioned by others as well as remarks some have deemed racially insensitive.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of months now,” said Mayor Patterson.
His choice for this term to be his last comes not from political pressure but as he states it, ‘…eight years as an alderman and eight years as a mayor is enough.”
Mayor Patterson has stated that if another opportunity to serve comes along he may consider it, but as of now has plans only to focus on his business in Oxford and, in a few years time, retire.
The election will be held in June and qualifying for a position as an Alderman or Mayor will begin in January.
“I certainly think growth will continue and the lack of federal, and vast reduction of state funding, for infrastructure will be a continued problem for the future mayor and aldermen,” said Mayor Patterson. “But I believe there’s a whole flight of extremely competent young people ready to step up and lead this city.” 
