Marlow Announces Candidacy

By David Johnson
The CNL

Billy Marlow has announced his candidacy for alderman-at-large in Ruleville.

Ruleville will hold municipal elections on May 5. Marlow has qualified as a Democrat.

Marlow, 56, is a lifelong resident of Ruleville.

"The real reason I'm running is this is my home," Marlow said. "This community has meant so much to me. I feel like I am supposed to give back to the area that raised me up. When my time has passed, I want to know that I have done what I could to make the community a better place. That's what it is about to me."

Marlow has already made a reputation for himself for generously giving of his time and talents to the Ruleville community.

In 2004, he accepted an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors for the then-struggling North Sunflower Medical Center. The hospital had no chief executive officer at the time, so Marlow volunteered to assume the duties.

"I started wriitng the checks and paying the bills," he said. "As I became more involved, I began seeing the workings of the business.

"By November of 2004, I had got my feet wet, and I felt like I could run the hospital."

Marlow, who was born in the Ruleville hospital, became its chief executive officer. He received no compensation for his first year of service, while he was guiding an absolute amazing turaround.

The medical center, which was losing money in 2004, is now a model of efficiency and profitability and recognized as one of the most patient-friendly facilities in Mississippi.

Marlow is currently serving as a board member for the Ruleville Development Council.

"I'd like to increase the sales tax base and the tax revenue for the city, so that we can maintain a decent level of infrastructure. We also have to be able to support our schools so we can continue working toward Level 5 status," Marlow explained.