In the Running: 2020 Election Candidates

For the upcoming Aug. 25 municipal elections, the city of Chelsea has only one council place contested, so the five incumbent council members and mayor will have no competition.

Chris Thomas is running against incumbent Chris Grace for Chelsea City Council Place 3.

It’s a different story in Hoover, where council President Gene Smith is running against current Mayor Frank Brocato, and 17 candidates are running for spots on the Hoover City Council.

In this story, in addition to a profile on each candidate, we have information on how to register to vote, where to vote and list important dates for the process.

In Chelsea, Mayor Tony Picklesimer is running for his second term without a challenger.  Picklesimer is only the second mayor of Chelsea, and is just completing his first four-year term. All five council members are completing their first terms and are ready to begin their second.

Brocato is also wrapping up his first four-year term, but he is facing a challenge from Smith, who has had 16 years on the council and is asking voters to help him change chairs. There also are 17 people seeking to fill the seven citywide City Council seats. One of them, current Councilman Derrick Murphy, is unopposed, in Council Place 5.

CHELSEA CANDIDATE - CHELSEA MAYOR

TONY PICKLESIMER

Tony Picklesimer is running for his second term as mayor of Chelsea. He is only the second mayor since Chelsea’s inception 24 years ago. He took over the position after Earl Niven’s 20-year tenure ended in 2016.

He has lived in Chelsea for 14 years and served 10 years on the City Council before being elected mayor.

Picklesimer, 61, attended the University of Houston and previously had a career in the automobile industry as a Ford dealer.

He is a former president of the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce and is a deacon and Sunday School teacher at Liberty Baptist Church.

Issues he wants to focus on include highway infrastructure and commercial development, along with finishing Community Park projects.

Website/social media: tonypicklesimer.com and facebook.com/TonyPicklesimerforMayor

CHELSEA CANDIDATE - CHELSEA CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 1

CODY SUMNERS

Cody Sumners is seeking reelection for a second term on the Chelsea City Council.

Sumners, 44, has lived in Chelsea for 35 years and is a lieutenant with the Shelby County sheriff’s office. He is currently the Assistant Division Commander at the Shelby County Jail. He also coordinates Crisis Response Training for the Sheriff’s Office, is one of the council representatives on the Nick Grant Approval Committee and is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Shelby County.

He has previously served as the Commander of the Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force; Watch Commander in the Patrol Division of the sheriff’s office; Community Outreach lieutenant; Patrol Division supervisor; Training Division supervisor; Drug Task Force supervisor; and school resource officer (SRO).

In civic duties, Sumners has served on the Greystone YMCA Advisory Board and was a founding member of Paws for a Cause (nonprofit that raises money for the Shelby County Humane Society). Sumners and his family attend church at Redemption Church at K-Springs.

He has been involved in Chelsea Youth Club sports for years, serving as president of the Chelsea Wrestling Club for four years, and is currently a member of the Chelsea Wrestling Booster Club. He also coached youth baseball for CYC for eight years.

Sumners received his Bachelor of Science degree from University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he majored in criminal justice.

The main issues that Sumner is focused on as a member of the City Council are public safety and employee issues, adding that he believes the primary role of government is to protect the citizens.

During Sumner’s first term, the City Council has increased fire department pay to make Chelsea Fire Department competitive with surrounding agencies; added four additional deputies to the city’s patrol contract and an additional SRO (with K9 partner) at Chelsea High School; purchased a new ladder truck and transport unit for the fire department; renovated a city building to create a third fire station for the City of Chelsea to provides quicker response times to citizens in the eastern part of the city.

One of the top achievements of this term was helping create a municipal court for the city of Chelsea.

Website/social media: facebook.com/sumnerscitycouncil/

CHELSEA CANDIDATE - CHELSEA CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 2

SCOTT WEYGAND

Scott Weygand grew up hunting, fishing and working on a farm in Chelsea, where his family has owned land since the 1940s. He moved to Chelsea in 2007.

Weygand, 42, was first elected to Chelsea City Council in 2016. He served on the Chelsea Planning and Zoning Committee from 2012-16, also serving as committee chairperson 2015-16. After being elected to council, Weygand was appointed as the City Council representative to the Planning and Zoning Committee and currently serves as mayor pro tempore.

Weygand graduated from the University of Alabama and is also a Chelsea business owner and insurance agent at Weygand Insurance Agency. He is a member of the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, helps organize and plan the Fire at the Foothills BBQ Cook-off, is a Chelsea Youth Club Basketball coach and is board member and treasurer of Owens House Child Advocacy Center (2015-20). He attends Double Oak Community Church Chelsea.

With the growth that is happening in and around Chelsea, Weygand feels it’s important for Chelsea to keep that hometown feel and uniqueness that residents love. The city is currently working on projects including a new business park, phase two of the Shelby County 11 sports complex, multiple paving projects and additions to the community that include a splash pad, playground and several other items that he would like to see through to completion.

He also wants to see the continued work of annexation to fill in the gaps that are in the city map and continue recruiting businesses into Chelsea that people will be proud to support.

CHELSEA CANDIDATES - CHELSEA CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 3

CHRIS GRACE

After being appointed in the fall of 2019 to fill the position vacated by David Ingram as chair-elect, Chris Grace is seeking his first full term on the Chelsea City Council.

Grace, 47, has lived in Chelsea for 17 years. He and his wife Gina have raised their three children in the city and have enjoyed the quality of life that it offers.

A civil engineer by education and licensure, Grace leads the Birmingham office of a regional engineering and architecture firm. He has a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Alabama.

He is involved with the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce where he serves as chair elect, and also assists in the promotion of business, education and overall quality of life for the community and has served on the chamber board’s Executive Committee since 2017. He has served in various capacities throughout Shelby County with the United Way of Central Alabama and is a rotarian. He and his wife lead an adult small group at The Church at Brook Hills and have previously been involved in student ministry. The couple also volunteers with Lifeline Children’s Services in support of adoption and foster care.

As Chelsea recently celebrated its 24th anniversary of incorporation and is currently the fourth fastest growing city in Alabama since 2010, Grace said he knows that any city following that growth trajectory faces infrastructure challenges (roads, bridges, water, sewer, schools, parks, etc.).

Chelsea is now in a season of significant capital expenditure and investment to meet the needs of the growing population and prepare the city for a prosperous future. With that growth, Grace’s vision for the future is that fewer and fewer people drive up U.S. 280 for their job, shopping, personal care and entertainment. His goal is to provide an attractive infrastructure framework for businesses to come to the city, enjoy success and continue to enhance the quality of life for citizens.

Grace believes that his professional experience over the past two decades working with other municipalities across the Southeast in infrastructure planning, design and construction gives him a unique perspective and skill set to help the council during this period of planning, growth and investment.

Website/social media: cgrace@cityofchelsea.com; facebook.com/choosegrace2020

CHRIS THOMAS

• Age: 57
• Residence: Has lived in Chelsea his entire life.
• Political experience: None, but was a previous candidate for City Council.
• Professional experience: Has worked in the school system for 28 years and for Jim‘n Nick’s in Greystone for 21 years.
• Civic experience: Is in touch with several aspects of the city and the needs and wants of all ages. He feels he can work with the mayor and the present council, as he is used to being in a position to look at several avenues to accomplish a goal.
• Education: Graduated from Chelsea High School and attended the University of Montevallo.
• Main issues: His decision to run has become a goal for the past five years, and wants to be a part of a rapidly expanding city that he has lived in his entire life. His goal is to continue the progress the council has made but to add a perspective as a lifelong resident who has praised some of the progress but also can understand some of the issues and needs of people who have been in Chelsea before any council member or the mayor.
• Email: cthomas1963@gmail.com

CHELSEA CANDIDATE - CHELSEA CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 4

TIFFANY BITTNER

Tiffany Bitter is seeking reelection for a second term on the Chelsea City Council.

Bittner, 43, works as an ARC Realty real estate agent and is the host of Law Call on Fox 6-WBRC.

In her civic experience, Bittner has organized the Chelsea Park Elementary Prayer Walk. She currently serves as a liaison for the Chelsea Public Library and is an active member at Double Oak Community Church, where she serves as a teacher for youth community groups, sings on the praise team and serves on the Chelsea Campus Leadership Team.

Bittner believes in supporting local schools and aims to push for better facilities, continue to improve the educational experience of students and improve the appearance of the city through new signage and landscaping.

Her hope is to continue to provide additional amenities and services for the growing population in Chelsea. She plans to continue to support efforts to seek additional commercial development in order to grow the city’s tax base that supports the ability to provide existing amenities as well as adding new services in the future. She also feels a strong need to support local existing businesses to ensure their success they have chosen to invest in our community.

Bittner is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a degree in telecommunication and film.

Website/social media: facebook.com/tiffany.s.bittner

CHELSEA CANDIDATE - CHELSEA CITY COUNCIL, PLACE 5

CASEY MORRIS

Casey Morris is seeking reelection for a second term on the Chelsea City Council.

A lifelong Chelsea resident, Morris, 33, grew up going to Chelsea schools from K-12th grade. Although he has traveled around the world from Africa to Europe, he says, “I was born in Chelsea, and I will die in Chelsea.”

He works as an IT operations coordinator for McLeod Software, a leader in the transportation management industry.

During his first term on the council, Morris served as the Alabama Communities of Excellence local coordinator for Chelsea, which will receive designation in May 2021 as an ACE City. He has served on personnel committees for the hiring of the city clerk and Park and Recreations director. He has also assisted with the organization of ChelseaFest: The Big Kaboom each year of his term.

He is a member of the Chelsea Kiwanis Club, on the Board of Directors for the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce and Chelsea Parks and Recreation Board.

Morris said he plans to continue focusing on the last part of the Alabama Communities of Excellence designation, a document that will be a game plan for the city’s future. It will develop a safe, well-crafted community with a strong economy, first-class schools, parks, fire department and law enforcement, all while protecting the quality of life and resources Chelsea.

Website/social media: facebook.com/CaseyMorrisCCCPlace5

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER MAYOR

FRANK BROCATO (I)

• Age: 67
• Residence: Ross Bridge; has lived in Hoover since 1973, except a few years in Irondale in mid-1970s
• Political experience: Served four years as Hoover mayor
• Professional experience: Served 42 years with the Hoover Fire Department; was the city’s first paramedic and first fire marshal; spent 24 years as head of emergency medical services and retired as fire marshal and chief of operations
• Civic experience: Executive committee for Birmingham Business Alliance; board of directors for Mike Slive Foundation (for prostate cancer research); served on board of directors for Literacy Council of Central Alabama; was in Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Shelby County and still serves on advisory council for Leadership Birmingham; represented city of Hoover with United Way for many years; served on medical direction committee for the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System and on state committees dealing with EMS issues
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from Birmingham-Southern College; associate’s degree in fire science from Jefferson State Community College; paramedic training from UAB School of Allied Health
• Main issues: Continue the city’s strong partnership with Hoover City Schools; continue boosting Hoover’s economy; invest in neighborhoods; solve traffic congestion; maintain focus on public safety; build a diverse and equitable community
• Website/social media: frankbrocatoformayor.com; Frank Brocato for Hoover Mayor on Facebook

GENE SMITH

• Age: 63
• Residence: Magnolia Grove; has lived in Hoover 52 years (since before it was a city)
• Political experience: Sixteen years on Hoover City Council, including last four as president
• Professional experience: Owns finance companies with 19 locations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee, offering loans of less than $1,500 for 90 days to 18 months; owns 40 percent stake in Hoover Tactical Firearms; partner in Logic LLC, which markets and sells technology products; worked 18 years for Hoover Fire Department
• Civic experience: Served five years on Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission and about four years on University of Alabama at Birmingham 310 Mental Health Board
• Education: Completed paramedic studies at University of Alabama at Birmingham; took some fire science courses
• Main issues: Create a council of neighborhoods to address neighborhood needs; guide the city in recovering from COVID-19 pandemic; improve race relations to make sure people feel comfortable living in Hoover; improve communication between mayor’s office and council; realign city’s organizational chart so everything doesn’t flow through city administrator; maintain good relations with school system; increase money for Hoover schools by giving front door fees from builders in addition to city’s $5 million allocation instead of as part of it; after COVID-19 recovery, consider removing half-cent sales tax added in 2018; improve road system; lobby state more to help city get rightful share of internet sales taxes
• Website/social media: geneforhoover.com; Gene Smith – President, Hoover City Council on Facebook

HOOVER CANDIDATE - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1

CURT POSEY (I)

• Age: 43
• Residence: Bluff Park; life-long resident of Hoover
• Political experience: Has served four years in Hoover Council Place 1
• Professional experience: Supervisor for lecture center and 32 conference spaces at Children’s of Alabama hospital; previously worked three years as producer and editor for Diamond Studios in Birmingham and six years in studio production for WBRC Channel 6, WTTO Channel 21, WABM Channel 68 and WTVM Channel 13
• Civic experience: Serves as City Council liaison to the Hoover Arts Council; board of trustees chairman and recruitment advisor for Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at UAB; teaches 2-year-olds in Sunday School at Hunter Street Baptist Church; volunteer performer with Birmingham Ballet; formerly served as youth coach with Hoover Soccer Club
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Main issues: Build an arts center in Hoover; find additional funding for road and infrastructure projects; bring back Freedom Fest Fourth of July celebration; find creative ways to redevelop retail properties; revitalize older neighborhoods
• Website/social media: Curt Posey for Hoover City Council Place 1 on Facebook

LEAH SIEFKA

• Age: 39
• Residence: Green Valley; lived in Hoover 4^1/2 years
• Political experience: First run for public office
• Professional experience: Has worked in human resources for International Wines and Craft Beer in Alabaster since February; one year as “BMW genius” at BMW of Birmingham; about four years as human resources and finance executive administrative assistant at LSU School of Social Work; about three years as community school program director for McKinley High School in Baton Rouge; about 1^1/2 years as coordinator for shelter for homeless teens and children; some time as stay-at-home mom
• Civic experience: Has worked with mom groups in Birmingham area to fund Christmas presents for needy families; helped find mentors for teens and helped run poetry events for teens in Baton Rouge
• Education: Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religious studies; Bachelor of Science in psychology; also has done work on master’s degree at University of Lausanne in Geneva, Switzerland, and LSU
• Main issues: Integrity and transparency in city government; protect Hoover’s success by bringing new voices to complex problems; safety and equal access to a high-quality education for all children in Hoover schools
• Website/social media: Leah Siefka for Hoover City Council, Place 1 on Facebook

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 2

RON BROWN

• Age: 45
• Residence: The Park at Hoover apartment complex; has lived in Hoover three years
• Political experience: Helped out with campaigns of Jefferson County Judges Sherri Friday, C.H. Brantley and Maria Fortune
• Professional experience: Consultant and commercial producer for lawyers and The Fritz Clinic; worked many years in retail, including as shoe salesman for Foot Action and Finish Line, then store manager for Eckerd Drugs and market leader for CVS in Atlanta; ran barber shop and hair salon for a few years; spent five years in mortgage business; worked for attorney Alexander Shunnarah and at Waffle House and Steak ‘N’ Shake while in law school
• Civic experience: Formerly served as pastor at Global Faith Christian Church in Atlanta; now attends Mountaintop Community Church
• Education: Attended Western Illinois University; bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries from Atlanta Christian College; law degree from Birmingham School of Law
• Main issues: Help improve race relations in Hoover; help improve Police Department’s relationship with community; be creative in bringing new industry; increase funding for Hoover schools
• Website/social media: Ron Brown on Facebook

MITZI EAKER

• Age: 47
• Residence: Inverness; lived in Hoover 15 years
• Political experience: First run for public office; helped with campaigns for Amie Beth Shaver for Alabama House District 43 and Gary Palmer for U.S. Senate in 2014
• Professional experience: Owner of Mitzi Jane Media marketing company past eight years; also ran national children’s resource team for Women’s Missionary Union for nine years; was children’s minister at Southside Baptist Church in Southside for four years
• Civic experience: Member of Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneurial Council for past two years; provided free marketing training for council this spring; helped create marketing materials for chamber website and helped sponsor chamber golf tournament past two years; led effort to collect more than 4,000 shoe boxes with necessities and toys for children in Alabama and Missouri after 2011 tornadoes
• Education: Master’s degree in Christian education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; bachelor’s degree in social work from Jacksonville State University
• Main issues: Wants to serve as voice for eastern Hoover but represent all parts of city; help fill vacancies in shopping centers with small businesses; help rebrand Hoover as a city that celebrates diversity
• Website/social media: mitzieakerforhoover.com.

ROBIN SCHULTZ

• Age: 58
• Residence: Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover 31 years
• Political experience: Unsuccessfully ran for Hoover Council Place 7 in 2016
• Professional experience: Owner of PC Medics of Alabama and Bluff Park Drone
• Civic experience: Founded bluffparkal.org in 2006 to share information about and for the community; helped lead a push for a police substation and better police presence in Bluff Park; helped organized neighborhood watches with Hoover police; a leader in the effort to reverse Hoover school bus elimination; regularly attends school board and council meetings; unsuccessfully sought seat on Hoover school board in 2012, 2016 and 2017; served on Hoover City Schools Foundation board late 2016-August 2019; youth baseball umpire at Hoover Sports Park West 1997-2007; taught college and career Sunday school class at Shades Crest Baptist Church; founded Learning To Be The Light, which refurbishes computers and gives them to Hoover students from low-income families
• Education: Microsoft systems engineer certification from New Horizons; has taken numerous information technology certification courses; FAA license to fly drone
• Main issues: Help bring consensus and compromise on city issues; put knowledge of city history to use on council; push for more responsible development in accordance with comprehensive plan; continue good relationship with school system
• Website/social media: robinforhoover.com; Robin for Hoover on Facebook; @robinforhoover on Twitter and Instagram.

DINA SHUNNARAH

• Age: 53
• Residence: Pinewood; has lived in Hoover 26 years
• Political experience: First run for office
• Professional experience: Owner and operator of Rock ’n Roll Sushi at The Colonnade in Birmingham for past two years; former co-owner/operator at Ranch House Family Restaurant in Vestavia Hills; worked 18 years as medical transcriptionist for Children’s of Alabama hospital and four years at AmSouth Bank; was stay-at-home mom for a while
• Civic experience: Board of directors for Regency Towers condominiums in Panama City Beach; formerly on board at Birchtree Swim & Racquet Club (two years as president); formerly room mom and volunteer at Gwin Elementary and Simmons Middle schools; attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church
• Education: Graduated from San Francisco Christian High School
• Main issues: Keep up with infrastructure needs; support and recruit businesses; redevelop shopping centers with vacancies; support parks and recreation projects; develop affordable housing options for young people.
• Website/social media: shunnarahforhoover.com; Dina Shunnarah for Hoover City Council on Facebook

SAM SWINEY

• Age: 37
• Residence: Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover seven years
• Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Hoover Council Place 2 in 2016; lost by 24 votes out of 12,000 votes cast
• Professional experience: Claims specialist with State Farm Insurance for 13 years
• Civic experience: Served on Advocacy Committee to Legislature for Hoover City Schools 2017-19; leader in Hoover City Dad Brigade at Bluff Park Elementary and Simmons Middle; co-founded Bluff Park Christmas Parade and Trucks on the Bluff food truck event in Bluff Park; president of Shades Mountain Park board; has coached youth baseball, basketball and football; attends Shades Mountain Baptist Church, where he has volunteered as a worship care leader
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in justice sciences from University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Main issues: Make sure school system maintains adequate funding; update city’s new comprehensive plan as necessary; protect integrity and upgrade infrastructure of older neighborhoods; give Hoover a performing arts center and library branch for eastern Hoover; do better job of promoting locally owned businesses and recruit more new ones
• Website/social media: Sam Swiney on Facebook; @SamSwiney1 on Twitter

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 3

JOHN LYDA (I)

• Age: 46
• Residence: Green Valley; has lived in Hoover 24 years.
• Political experience: Served two four-year terms on Hoover City Council (chairman of Finance Committee past four years; previously served as council liaison to Planning and Zoning Commission); executive committee for Jefferson County Republican Party; board of directors for Mid-Alabama Republican Club.
• Professional experience: Has worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for 23 years and is now an operations manager in claims administration; senior financial services manager for the Birmingham branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta 1996-97
• Civic experience: Serves on board of Red Elephant Club of Birmingham and advisory board of Assistance League of Birmingham; spent four years Hoover Library Board; past president of Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club and Hats & Horns Society; Birmingham Business Journal’s 2012 class of “Top 40 Under 40”; 2015 Alumnus of Year from Northeast Alabama Community College; alumnus and supporter of American Council of Young Political Leaders; participated in a diplomatic exchange program to Brazil in 2014 and escorted political leaders to New Zealand in 2018; hosted delegations from China, Myanmar, the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia in Alabama.
• Education: Master’s degree in business administration from University of Alabama at Birmingham; bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Alabama
• Main issues: Be pro-business voice on council; work with Riverchase Galleria owner on redevelopment plan; continue to make public safety a priority; opposes calls to defund police
• Website/social media: electjohnlyda.com; John Lyda on Facebook; @johnlyda on Twitter

MICHAEL JEFFRIES

• Age: 61
• Residence: The Park at Hoover apartment complex off Lorna Road for three years
• Political experience: First run for public office
• Professional experience: Spent 27 years as counselor and retired as substance abuse counselor for adult detention center in Fairfax County, Virginia, in 2017; now works as legal assistant for Serious Injury Law Group while attending law school; also while in law school, he worked about seven months for substance abuse program run by Alabama Department of Youth Services and five months as methadone clinic counselor in Bessemer
• Civic experience: Elder at First Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Fairfield; over the years has been involved in church ministries, such as getting food and clothing to people in need
• Education: Master’s degree in counseling and development and bachelor’s degree in human services from George Mason University; now attends Miles Law School
• Main issues: Wants to re-energize what he considers a stagnant city and help stimulate economic growth; favors rescinding sales, use and lease tax increases and $2-per-night lodging fee passed by Hoover City Council in 2018; safeguarding funding for Hoover police
• Website/social media: Michael Jeffries on Facebook

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 4

MIKE SHAW (I)

• Age: 48
• Residence: Loch Ridge; has lived in Hoover 20 years
• Political experience: Served four years on Hoover City Council (council liaison to Planning and Zoning Commission; chairman of Technology and Telecom Committee and Sports Facility Advisory Committee).
• Professional experience: 25 years in information technology business, including past 15 years as chief technology officer and senior vice president for Mutual Savings Credit Union
• Civic experience: Founder of Hoover Technology Round table; co-founder of Destination Hoover International; member of technology advisory group for Riverchase Career Connection Center; board member for Tech Birmingham; former longtime board member for Birmingham Infragard; member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church (active in music ministry); Spain Park High School Band Booster
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration from Auburn University
• Main issues: Have big-city mindset in planning; manage growth in western Hoover; revitalize central Hoover; provide amenities for eastern Hoover, such as library branch, municipal annex or ball fields; deal with financial implications of COVID-19
• Website/social media: electmikeshaw.com; @mikeshawnuff on Twitter

NATHAN REED

• Age: 49
• Residence: Russet Woods; has lived in Hoover eight years
• Political experience: Unsuccessfully ran for Alabama Senate District 19 in 2010
• Professional experience: Program manager for CB Richard Ellis since June 2016; previously spent 1^1/2 years as senior account manager for KMS; about five years as president/CEO of NaReed Construction Group and director of facilities for The Worship Center Christian Church, eight years as project manager/estimator for Brasfield & Gorrie and four years with A.J. Chandler Masonry
• Civic experience: Serves on Hoover Planning and Zoning Commission; first class of Leadership Hoover; was on executive chairman’s fundraising team for Leukemia Lymphoma Society 2016-19; Birmingham Construction Industry Authority Contractor of Year, 1996; selected to Birmingham Construction Industry Authority board of directors in 2000; was TEAM Hospitality Committee Chairman for PapaJohns.com Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Football Challenges; SWAC Football Championships and SWAC Basketball Championships
• Education: Attended Lawson State Community College and University of Alabama
• Main issues: Make sure council policy decisions take into account impact on everyday lives of residents; continue support for Hoover City Schools; work to stabilize city finances in light of COVID-19 impact and downturn in big-box retail industry; work to get fairer share of online sales tax revenues paid to state; maintain proper funding for public safety, sidewalks and other quality-of-life amenities
• Website/social media: Nathan J. Reed for Hoover City Council Place 4 on Facebook

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 6

CASEY MIDDLEBROOKS (I)

• Age: 43
• Residence: Ross Bridge since 2014; also lived in Hoover 1996-2000
• Political experience: Served four years on Hoover City Council Place 6
• Professional experience: Librarian at Spain Park High School since 2010; librarian at Midfield High School 2007-10; clerk at Hoover Public Library 1996-2007; was city of Hoover’s 1998-99 Employee of the Year
• Civic experience: Co-founder of Jefferson County Councilors Roundtable; Volunteer with Lakeshore Foundation, Special Equestrians at Indian Springs School and Alabama Childhood Food Solutions
• Education: Doctorate in leadership in educational administration from Capella University; master’s degree in library and information science from University of Alabama; bachelor’s degree in justice sciences from University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Main issues: Address economic impact of COVID-19; foster diversity and inclusion in the city; invest in technology infrastructure for residents and businesses (continuing expanding fiber, decentralizing technology resources, pursuing free public Wi-Fi in parks); lobby Legislature to create level playing field between brick-and-mortar businesses and online retailers; revamp trash and recycling services
• Website/social media: councilmancasey.com; Councilman Casey Middlebrooks on Facebook

JAMES ‘J.D.’ DEER JR.

• Age: 38
• Residence: Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover 12 years
• Political experience: First run for public office
• Professional experience: Data scientist with the Parsons Inc. engineering firm since April; previously worked for Southern Company and ZarekIO information technology and data analysis jobs; also served four years in U.S. Marines after high school and later rejoined the Marines and worked in the anti-terrorism battalion in Bessemer for a few years; worked civilian job for an Air Force network operations squadron in Montgomery about 3^1/2 years
• Civic experience: Helped start Students for Concealed Carry at University of Alabama at Birmingham; later taught information technology workforce development classes for the I Am Bham group
• Education: Graduated Daphne High School in 2000; attended University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Main issues: Bring more transparency to city government; reduce the city’s debt; continue focusing on technology issues; wants city to start innovation contest, partnering with schools and other people to get ideas for ways to improve the community and solve problems; support local businesses by removing government rules and regulations that are too restrictive; provide residents more options with internet service providers; work with private companies to develop lower-cost citywide Wi-Fi system; demilitarize the police
• Website/social media: jamesdeerjr.com; James Deer Jr. for Hoover City Council on Facebook

HOOVER CANDIDATES - HOOVER CITY COUNCIL PLACE 7

CARIN MAYO

• Age: 52
• Residence: Kirkman Preserve; lived in Hoover five years
• Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Alabama House District 43 in 2018
• Professional experience: Manager for the Master of Public Administration program and teacher for UAB Department of Political Science and Public Administration since 2013; worked as office manager and paralegal for National Labor Relations Board Birmingham office, 1992-2001; worked for a couple of law firms for several years; worked about three years with Anniston Police Department, mostly in warrant division and crime lab; worked about a year as teacher in Holman Correctional Facility
• Civic experience: Hoover School Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and Strategic Planning Committee; board of directors for Campfire Alabama; UAB Sustainability Council 2019-20; Spain Park and Berry band booster; four years on Kirkman Preserve Homeowner’s Association board, two as treasurer and two as vice president; Alabama Environmental Council board 2018-19; United Way loaned executive, 2013; United Way visiting allocation team, 12-15 years; Cub Scout Troop 397 den leader, 2012-17; Bridge Ministries board, 2006-12; Family Promise of Birmingham, 2005-10; Wounded Warrior fundraiser; co-chairperson of UAB Benevolent Fund campaign, 2015; UAB Benevolent Fund Council; volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 1990s; member at Cathedral Church of the Advent
• Education: Master’s degrees in public administration, business administration and English from University of Alabama at Birmingham; bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and behavioral psychology from Jacksonville State University; in doctoral program for higher education leadership at University of Alabama
• Main issues: Wants to provide a voice for women on City Council; wants to review whether 2018 tax sales, use and lease tax increases and $2 nightly room fee for lodging facilities can be rescinded; find money for fine arts center; celebrate diversity of Hoover; find ways to increase revenue for Hoover schools; address shopping center vacancies
• Website/social media: mayo4hoover.com; Carin Mayo on Facebook

STEVE McCLINTON

• Age: 51
• Residence: Lake Cyrus; has lived in Hoover 22 years
• Political experience: Unsuccessfully ran for Hoover mayor in 2016
• Professional experience: Partner in Logic LLC with Hoover City Council President Gene Smith and former school board member Earl Cooper, which markets and sells technology products; vice president of sales for X.Labs, which produces some of those products; spent 23-24 years as retirement planner, including 20 years with Primerica and three to four years with Security Financial Advisors
• Civic experience: Served three years as president of Hoover City Schools Foundation; served on boards for Hoover Helps, Hoover Neighborhood Bridges, Hoover YMCA, Destination Hoover International and Birmingham Children’s Theatre; co-founded Deer Valley Dads; served as president of Bumpus Middle School PTO for two years
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminology from Auburn University
• Main issues: Help city and businesses survive COVID-19 outbreak; make Hoover more business-friendly; after COVID-19 recovery, re-evaluate tax cuts passed in 2018 and building permit fee increases in 2017; make city less dependent on retail; fill empty storefronts
• Website/social media: stevemcclintonforcitycouncil.com or Steve McClinton for Hoover City Council on Facebook

ALLI NATIONS

• Age: 37
• Residence: Bluff Park; lived in Hoover all her life except four years at Auburn University
• Political experience: First run for public office
• Professional experience: Stay-at-home mom past 12 years; also served as general manager for her husband’s contracting business, Natco Building Co.; worked as instructional aide at Pelham High School two years; taught English to non-native speakers online on part-time basis
• Civic experience: Served past six years on Bluff Park Elementary PTO board (two years as hospitality officer, two years as vice president, two years as president); Bluff Park Christmas parade committee; wrote for Birmingham Mom’s Blog for two years
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in history from Auburn University
• Main issues: Serve as fiscal conservative voice on council; don’t raise taxes without compelling need and specific plan for money; attract more businesses to Hoover; make sure public safety department are fully funded, staffed and equipped; address equity and diversity in city government; establish library branch in eastern Hoover when funds are available; revitalize old neighborhoods and empty retail sites; address garbage, recycling and litter challenges; keep schools well-funded; address quality of life issues such as parks, sidewalks, youth sports, recreations and arts
• Website/social media: Alli Nations for Hoover City Council Place 7 on Facebook

ELECTION INFORMATION

Polls on election day — Aug. 25 — will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The last day to register to vote is Aug. 10. Voters can register to vote through the Alabama secretary of state’s website or through the Jefferson County or Shelby County Board of Registrars, depending on where you live. To vote in a municipal election, such as Hoover’s election, a voter must have established residency in the city by July 26.

Voters who wish to cast an absentee ballot must apply for one by Aug. 20, or Aug. 24 if in an emergency situation. Applications are available online through the city of Hoover website or Alabama secretary of state’s website.

Hand-delivered absentee ballots must be received by the city clerk’s office by the close of business Aug. 24. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 24 and received at the city clerk’s office by noon Aug. 25 to be counted.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill on June 25 adopted an emergency role that authorizes any qualified voter who determines it is impossible or unreasonable to vote at their polling place for the 2020 municipal elections and runoff due to the declared COVID-19 states of emergency to check the box on the absentee ballot application that reads: “I have a physical illness or infirmity which prevent my attendance at the polls.”

But voters are still required to submit a photocopy of their identification along with their application for an absentee ballot.

If any runoffs are needed, they will be Oct. 6. Winners of this year’s election are scheduled to be sworn into office Nov. 2.

For additional information about Hoover city elections, registering to vote or voting with an absentee ballot, go to hooveral.org/183/Elections.