Alabama Legislature names bridge after former Hoover mayor, councilman Brian Skelton

The Alabama Legislature has chosen to honor former Hoover Mayor and Councilman Brian Skelton by naming the bridge over Paradise Lake on John Hawkins Parkway after him.

The bridge will now be known as the Brian L. Skelton Memorial Bridge, according to a resolution passed by both houses of the Legislature and signed by Gov. Robert Bentley and Secretary of State John Merrill.

State Rep. David Faulkner, a Republican from Mountain Brook who represents part of Hoover, presented a framed copy of the resolution to Skelton’s family Monday night at a Hoover City Council meeting.

“I was just touched to no end,” Skelton’s wife, Angel Skelton, said. “It was so great. I just couldn’t believe it. I think it was a great honor for them to do that. I know how the wheels of politics usually move slow, but this one moved pretty quickly.”

Skelton, who served 17 years on the Hoover City Council and one year as mayor, died on July 2 after numerous health problems in recent years, including bouts with liver cancer and colon cancer.

His wife said she is eager to see the signs go up with her husband’s name on them. But even today, when she rode over the bridge, it made her feel good to know it would bear his name, she said.

Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate said the memorial signs have been ordered and will be installed by the Hoover Public Works Department as soon as they arrive.