Hoover Councilman Brian Skelton in intensive care after stroke

Hoover Councilman Brian Skelton remains in intensive care at University Hospital after suffering a stroke this past Thursday, his wife, Angel, said.

Skelton, 56, has battled several health issues over the years, including a bout with liver cancer.

“We so appreciate the prayers and the thoughts,” Angel Skelton said. “I know a lot of people care about Brian. He knows that.”

She asks that people continue to pray for his recovery. “He’s a fighter,” she said.

Skelton has served 17 years on the Hoover City Council and one year as mayor after Frank Skinner resigned in 1999 and the council appointed Skelton to take his place. Skelton first was appointed to the Hoover City Council in 1994 to fill a vacancy and then was elected in 1996.

He ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor in 2000 and sat out of public office for four years before getting elected to the City Council again in 2004. He has remained on the council ever since but said just a couple of weeks ago he was undecided whether he would seek re-election this year.