In 2011, I played a key role in designing a new fire station at 2600 Walkers Chapel Road, a project the city committed to building. It is a standard practice to recognize all significant contributors on a plaque at the station, including the fire chief and council members.

The following year, Bryant achieved a council seat and quickly maneuvered to have me replaced as fire chief with Brian Powell. His bitterness was evident; he would vandalize my name on the plaque at the fire station with black tape, a petty action that persisted for months, showcasing the depths of his animosity. These events stirred my concerns about our city’s trajectory and prompted me to take a closer look at local governance.

As I engaged more with the political landscape, I uncovered issues that transcended personal disputes with Bryant. My experiences during the construction of the new fire station and the 2011 tornado introduced me to key players like Keith Hall and Glenn Williams, who frequently emerged in discussions about city operations.

As the 2016 election approached, I began receiving encouragement from community members, including a police sergeant who believed I would make a strong mayor. Unfortunately, his comments led to his reassignment, but this incident solidified my resolve to run for mayor. Although I didn’t win in 2016, the support I garnered made it clear that my voice had not been heard sufficiently. In 2020, numerous constituents reached out, urging me to run again. They expressed a lack of familiarity with my platform the first time, emphasizing their willingness to support me should I choose to stand for election a second time.

Armed with this renewed support, I confidently entered the 2020 election and emerged victorious. During this campaign, Josh Bryant’s true feelings toward me became painfully evident. He began revealing not only his grudge but a concerted effort to undermine my leadership. This council’s composition is crucial – this is Bryant’s third term (8 years), while I, along with Kristy Jennings, Billy Hughes, and Timothy McWilliams, began our first term learning the responsibilities of governance. Despite Bryant’s experience, he consistently opposed my proposals, often rallying others to vote against them.

The narrative that I cannot collaborate with the council is misleading. I have indeed disagreed on specific issues, such as the misleading property tax proposal that generated significant confusion among residents. After that vote was defeated, Bryant warned that I would regret my stance, marking the point at which our professional relationship began to deteriorate.

As a result of his actions, I faced a barrage of ethics complaints, unfounded calls for my resignation, and a rising perception of discord between myself and the council. Measures were implemented that hampered my effectiveness, including Bryant’s attempts to oust me from the gas board, which was resisted by board members who reaffirmed my position. However, he successfully stripped away my gas allowance and persuaded the council to revoke my city-issued vehicle.

I call upon all voters to reject the return of a “buddy-buddy” system in Fultondale by re-electing me as your mayor. My track record speaks volumes about my dedication to the community and my commitment to serving the best interests of our citizens rather than any personal agenda. I also urge you to remove Josh Bryant from the council, as he perpetuates the harmful practices instilled by ex-mayor Jim Lowery, spreading falsehoods and damaging our city’s reputation out of spite.

If Lowery returns to the mayoral seat, our gas department will risk being sold to Spire, our city’s credit rating will suffer, and nepotistic hiring practices will return, leading us back into a financial quagmire worse than the one I inherited.

I am confident that under my leadership, and with the cooperation of my fellow council members, we will continue to push Fultondale forward. I invite everyone to participate in the upcoming election—your vote is crucial to steering our city toward a brighter future. Let’s ensure that we keep moving Fultondale in the right direction by voting to elect me as your mayor once again.