Jan Dempsey
Jan Dempsey | |
|---|---|
 Dempsey in 2020 | |
| 21st Mayor of Auburn, Alabama | |
| In office 1980–1998 | |
| Preceded by | Donald E. Hayhurst |
| Succeeded by | Bill Ham Jr. |
Jan Dempsey is an American politician who served as the mayor of Auburn, Alabama from 1980 to 1998.[1] She was the first female mayor of the city.[2]
Mayor of Auburn
[edit]Dempsey was elected as the first female mayor of Auburn in 1980.[3] In 1984, Dempsey was re-elected and established the economic development office.[4][5] One of the biggest things that she is known for is her improvement of the Auburn city school system where in 1986, she put in $600,000 of general city funds into the system. Ever since then, the council has kept contributing to the growth of the school system.[6]
Auburn 2000 Plan
[edit]In her first year in office, she initiated a 20 year plan with her Auburn 2000 Plan.[7] This plan set into place the council-manager form of government, saw the expansion of the water and sewage systems, helped develop the Auburn Technology Park along with partnerships with many other businesses, oversaw the expansion of recreational sports facilities, helped improve the roadways, implemented an affordable housing program, and supported many other developments.[8] She signed in Auburn 2020 in 1998, which was the goals and directions for Auburn by the year 2020.[9] Her leadership of these plans was praised by mayor Ron Anders Jr. as he began preparation for the Auburn 2040 Plan.[10]
Post-mayoral career
[edit]Dempsey ran for Alabama House of Representatives in 1998 against Mike Hubbard.[11] She also had the Jan Dempsey Community Arts Center named after her.[12] She helped launch the Community Market, part of the Food Bank of East Alabama, and served in leadership roles.[13][1] Dempsey was appointed by Bill Ham Jr. to the Urban Core Task Force in 2006, created to review zoning regulations for downtown Auburn.[14]
Personal life
[edit]Dempsey has three children Lydia, David, and Richard.[15] She was married to Dr. Richard Lee Dempsey until his death in 2018.[16]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Hubbard | 8,356 | 58.27 | |
| Democratic | Jan Dempsey | 5,971 | 41.64 | |
| Write-in | 12 | 0.08 | ||
| Total votes | 14,339 | 100.00 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ a b Prater, Nancy (2021-03-29). "Auburn's first woman mayor honored for decades of service". Alabama News Center. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Stallworth, Clark (February 15, 1981). "What can't you say to a woman mayor?". The Birmingham News. p. 87. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "Resolution no. 80-60" (Document). Auburn, Alabama: City of Auburn. 1980-07-30.
- ^ Koachak, Jacque (2008-11-26). "Parks retires after quarter century on IDB". The Auburn Villager. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ Loden, Kevin (July 11, 1984). "Mayor Dempsey, Incumbents Victories In Auburn Elections". The Opelika-Auburn News. p. 1. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "From 'The Loveliest Village' to a booming city: Auburn's path of growth - The Auburn Plainsman". www.theplainsman.com. Retrieved 2024-11-20.
- ^ "CompPlan 2030 The Comprehensive Plan for the City of Auburn" (PDF). City of Auburn. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ "Auburn 2020" (PDF). auburnalabama. City of Auburn. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Auburn 2020" (PDF). City of Auburn. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ "Serving our community and its future". The Auburn Villager.
- ^ Kjar, Scott; Laband, David. "On 'Home Grown-Ness' in Politics: Evidence from the 1998 Election for Alabama's Third Congressional District". jstor. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Johnson, Lorie (1999-01-04). "Growing pains: Auburn developing faster than ever". The Opelika-Auburn News. p. 1. Retrieved 2025-04-22.
- ^ Staff, The Observer (2025-03-10). "Altar Call | A salute to the people feeding families". The Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "City of Auburn Planning Commission MS-2017-01683 'Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment–Structure Height in the CEOD" (PDF). League of Women Voters of Alabama. January 24, 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Women in Business Luncheon for the Auburn Chamber". Concept to Closing. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
- ^ "Dempsey, Dr. Richard Lee". Opelika-Auburn News. 2018-05-11. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Elections Data Download". Alabama Secretary of State. Retrieved 18 March 2025.