In the running

by

If you are voting in this August’s municipal election, there are a few things you need to know — how to register, where to vote and who is running. Make sure you are up to speed on important dates and who will be on the ballot in your city.

Both Chelsea and Hoover hold at-large elections, meaning candidates can run for any place on the council, no matter in which area of the city they live.

The City of Chelsea is going to have a new mayor for the first time since the city’s founding 20 years ago, but that will not be the only change this election season. Three of Chelsea’s city council members have thrown their hat in the ring for the mayoral seat, and a fourth is retiring after this term. All city council seats and the mayoral spot are contested, and Place 3 council member David Ingram is the sole incumbent seeking to return. 

Hoover Mayor Gary Ivey is facing a challenge from former Hoover Fire Marshal Frank Brocato and former Hoover City Schools Foundation President Steve McClinton. All seven city council seats are contested, and the councilmen for Place 1, Place 2, Place 3 and Place 7 are running for re-election.

In this month’s election guide, you will find profiles on the 14 candidates in Chelsea and 19 candidates in Hoover as well as information on their main platform points and how to stay up-to-date on their campaigns. 

Candidates have focused on bringing new businesses to Chelsea, improving the city’s roads, expanding available amenities and working with the school system, as well as other topics, this election season. 

In Hoover, candidates have cited funding for the school system, control over residential growth, long-term planning, public safety and transparency from city leaders as important topics.

Also make sure to check out full candidate profiles online at 280living.com.

There will also be a chance to hear Chelsea candidate’s viewpoints at the city council and mayoral candidates forums, on Aug. 4 and Aug. 11, respectively. A candidate forum for Hoover City Council and Mayoral candidates will be held Aug. 16 at The Wynfrey Hotel. 

If you have any questions for the Hoover candidates, email janderson@starnespublishing.com.

WHO: CHELSEA- 

Dale Neuendorf

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea mayor

Main campaign issues: 

  • Attracting new businesses: I want us to contract with a business-recruiting firm that specializes with going out and finding the types of business that Chelsea really needs, and I want to get non-competing businesses.
  • Improve community amenities: We’ve got a lot at the community center for teenagers and senior citizens, but we don’t have a lot for young children, and that’s one of the reasons I want to look at putting in a splash pad for the young children to enjoy.
  • Intersection improvements: One of the big projects I do want to look at as soon as I become mayor, if I’m fortunate enough to be elected, is restructuring the intersection of Highway 47 and 39…Traffic would not have to stop there unless a train was coming. All other times, traffic would continue to flow without having to stop at a traffic light.
  • Speed limit changes: I want to continue to work with ALDOT to lower the speed limit even more. I would like to see it 45 miles per hour all the way through the business district on Highway 280 and past the entrance to the Chelsea Park subdivision.
  • Improve community involvement
  • Build citizen advisory committees

Political experience: Six years on Chelsea City Council.

Contact: daleformayor.com

Alison Moore Nichols

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea mayor

Main campaign issues: 

  • Public safety: Public safety is my number one thing, and I probably was made more aware of it because of driving the school bus and recognizing how much we have grown. Our roads have not kept up with our growth. 
  • Traffic improvements, including a traffic light at Old Highway 280 and Highway 11
  • Supporting schools: Obviously the schools need more money because we have the same size school as we had when we were a 4A school. We’re a 6A school with a three-year projection to become a 7A school, and the numbers aren’t a surprise.
  • Attracting new businesses
  • Increasing community involvement: Our goal is to get more people, more citizens to participate in city government because it can’t reflect something it doesn’t know.

Political experience: Elected to City Council in 2012.

Contact: Alison Moore Nichols for Mayor on Facebook

Tony Picklesimer

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea mayor

Main campaign issues: 

  • Public safety: One of the first things we have got to tackle is we have outgrown our contract with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. We’re too big. We are too big for the amount of coverage [we have].
  • Street and road improvement: We’re 20 years old now, we have some streets and roads that are 20 years old, so we have some streets and roads in Chelsea that need attention, just from a maintenance standpoint.
  • Complete neighborhood roads: We have neighborhoods that the developers have gone bankrupt and left and left without doing the finished coat of their streets. …They need the city to step up and help them get their roads finished. 
  • Attracting new businesses: Bringing new businesses into the community, it serves a couple of purposes. The people who already live in Chelsea, it gives them a couple of choices of where to shop, where to eat … but secondly, when people come to Chelsea and start or move a business, it gives them incentive to move to Chelsea.
  • School improvements: Our schools, as everyone knows, are operated by the Shelby County Board of Education. We have to keep ourselves in a position that when they get ready to do an expansion, a new construction, anything school related, we have to be ready as a city to partner with them.

Political experience: 10 years on Chelsea City Council, one term as Mayor Pro Tempore.

Contact: tonypicklesimer.com; Tony Picklesimer Serving the City of Chelsea on Facebook

Robert Barnes

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 1

Main campaign issues: 

  • Conservative spending: My fear is a lot of money has been spent, there’s a lot of debt for the city. When you see what happened in Fairfield when Wal-Mart pulled out, they’re barely surviving over there, … and the city of Chelsea depends an awful lot on the Wal-Mart that’s in city limits.
  • Road improvement: One thing that’s been an ongoing issue is just roads. Some of the roads in subdivisions are in need of repair — the money just wasn’t there when the market collapsed.
  • Keeping experience on the council: Having been through the process for four years, I would have an immediate understanding of how things function and the process you have to go through to get things done. Where somebody coming in new, I remember the first few months as a councilman, you just kind of sit there and try to take things in.
  • New parks and amenities, built conservatively
  • Maintaining city property

Political experience: Served on Chelsea City Council from 2008-12.

Contact: Elect Robert Barnes for Chelsea City Council Place 1 on Facebook

Cody Sumners

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 1

Main campaign issues: 

  • Public safety: I feel like we need more deputies. At this point, we probably can’t afford enough to go two [deputies] 24-hours a day, but to at least get two more deputies and do them on a swing shift would help.
  • Traffic changes: With the school, Chelsea Park, out there, I’d like to see a red light out there. Just for the number of children that come in, not just on the buses but families coming in and out of there every day, there’s a whole lot of traffic.
  • Creating a municipal court.
  • Attracting new businesses: We don’t have a property tax and don’t really want to have one right now. With Chelsea being as fragmented as it is as a city, this person would pay property tax and the person next to them wouldn’t. So sales tax needs to be our main source of revenue still. We need to have businesses for that.

Political experience: Lieutenant with Sheriff’s Office.

Contact: Elect Cody Sumners — Chelsea Council Place 1 on Facebook

Chris Thomas

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 2

Main campaign issues: 

  • Accountability in the administration: I just felt like we needed some new people in there with new ideas, and I thought we should have someone that’s in there that doesn’t have a second agenda. You don’t have a business you could promote through the city council, or you don’t’ have property in a certain area where you’re trying to get to a certain point.
  • Attracting new businesses: I feel like this is a time we’re really fixing to grow, and we can do things with getting more companies and businesses into Chelsea.
  • Improving intersections, including Highway 11 and Old 280, Chelsea Road and Old 280 and the railroad tracks in front of city hall.
  • City amenities: We’ve built a lot of recreational centers that have catered to retired people; we’ve also got to get something that appeals to the youth and your younger children.
  • Work with new mayor to allow more council input on city council agendas: Right now if the mayor doesn’t want to put it on the agenda, it’s not going to be discussed.

Political experience: None

Contact: Chris Thomas Place 2 on Facebook

Scott Weygand

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 2

Main campaign issues: 

  • Examine city finances for future projects: That’s where I want to come in and audit the city’s budget and see any places we can cut or squeeze and make the city of Chelsea’s dollars do more.
  • Traffic and intersection improvements: I don’t necessarily know what the answer is, but the speed limit is by far too fast [on U.S. 280]. I’d love to see the speed limits dropped and see what happened. They dropped it from 55 to 50 [mph], which is not enough. Harpersville and Vincent and all of those places on 280 are 35 to 45 [mph].
  • Attracting new businesses: I’d like to see it grow in a manner, that is, where it won’t overly compete with the people [and businesses] that are already existing, but will bringing new, fresher businesses that people will be excited to see.
  • New community amenities: A lot of people want splash pads and pools, and I definitely think that that’s necessary. Four years ago, the big issue was ball parks, and the city has done very well with addressing those issues. So I think the next issue would be tennis courts and pools and splash pads. The biggest thing is all that stuff costs money, so figuring out how to pay for it.

Political experience: Chelsea Planning Commission.

Contact: Vote Scott Weygand Chelsea City Council, Place 2 on Facebook

Gary Isbell

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 3

Main campaign issues: I am a lifelong resident of Chelsea, a man of great faith, with a heart to serve the community.  It is my desire to contribute to the well-being of this city in its continued growth, development and prosperity. I want Chelsea to continue to be one of the finest communities in which to live. I am retired and able to devote time to serving our community well.

Political experience: None

Contact: garyisbell@msn.com

David Ingram (I)

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 3

Main campaign issues: 

  • Continue to improve public safety and community amenities: In the next four to six years, we need to continue that momentum to improve the way of life for people in the community.
  • Create a master plan for the Chelsea Community Center
  • Attract new businesses
  • Improve community involvement: I would like the idea of having routine town hall meetings, where everyone is invited. …It’ll arm the city council and mayor with what the community is looking for.
  • Establish a municipal court
  • Work with the City of Pelham regarding neighborhoods affected by the 2014 separation agreement with Pelham City Schools: This has not been addressed since the separation agreement. …I think it’s not something we can continue to ignore, and a good time to address it would be with the new administration with both cities.

Political experience: Elected to City Council in 2012.

Contact: Re-elect David Ingram for Chelsea City Council Place #3 on Facebook

Tiffany Bittner

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 4

Main campaign issues: 

  • Improved communication: I think there’s always room for improvement when it comes to communicating with the public, through social media and through the city’s website.
  • City infrastructure and amenities: Under the category of when I say dream big for the city, that would include the addition of sidewalks. Also, I would like to try and seek out a convenient location for an amphitheater, so that we could have events in the city.
  • Traffic improvements, including at the intersection of Highways 47 and 39.
  • Giving the baseball fields on Highway 47 a face-lift.
  • Continuing momentum: Just building on the success that the community has, that’s basically my goal.

Political experience: None

Contact: Tiffany Smith Bittner on Facebook

David Calhoun

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 4

Main campaign issues: 

  • Public safety, including increased patrols from law enforcement and increased fire protection coverage.
  • Expanded city services and recreational opportunities: [City leaders] are already taking steps to try to address those things, but as we grow, those needs will expand and grow as well, so I think that’s an area of focus we need to continue on with.
  • School facilities: You can look at the high school and the fact that we have quite a few portable classrooms, that’s an indicator that our student numbers are growing. Just as classroom needs grow and expand, the needs to expand and grow athletic facilities to serve those kids grow along with it.
  • Attracting new businesses.
  • Maintain Chelsea’s charm: A challenge that we have is trying to preserve the things that have made Chelsea so special to all of us. Obviously there was something about Chelsea that resonated with us all when we decided to relocate here once upon a time, and I want to try and hold onto as much of that as possible.

Political experience: Building principal at Chelsea Middle School and Chelsea High School, Chelsea Planning commission

Contact: davidcalhounplace4.com; David Calhoun Place 4 on Facebook

Tom Holcombe

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 5

Main campaign issues: 

  • Chelsea’s schools: Support and maintain our excellent school system through proper funding and outstanding facilities through the appropriate level of city council interest.
  • Road improvements: Improve traffic flow throughout the city and work with all interested and affected parties to resolve and/or improve the Highway 280 traffic flow issue thereby enhancing “family time.”
  • Attracting new businesses: Continue bringing new and different types of businesses to our city through an outstanding business recruitment program and innovative ideas so our citizens do not have to travel great distances for shopping, dining and recreational facilities.
  • Public safety: Diligently support our law enforcement and firefighter personnel by ensuring they have all training and equipment needed for our community’s protection. Lay the groundwork for eventual development of a city police department.

Political experience: None

Contact: tcholcombe2001@yahoo.com

Casey Morris

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 5

Main campaign issues: 

  • Attracting new businesses: There’s lots of businesses in the area that have been here for a long time, and I want to attract new businesses to come to the area to see the loyalty that the citizens of Chelsea have to their businesses. You don’t have businesses that stay open 25 years because of happenstance. The citizens of Chelsea are very diligent in shopping Chelsea.
  • Don’t raise taxes: I don’t want to raise the sales tax. I think property-wise, there’s no reason to raise an ad valorem tax. I think retail development and rooftops are key issues on how to raise revenue.
  • Grow and develop amenities, including the community center and new parks and recreation areas.

Political experience: Serves on Chelsea Planning Commission, vice chair of South Shelby Chamber.

Contact: Elect Casey Morris to Chelsea Council Place 5 on Facebook

Elizabeth Cooley

Office/place you are seeking: Chelsea City Council, Place 5

Main campaign issues: 

  • Traffic/ safety issues: We’ve had way too many deaths on [U.S.] 280 in our Chelsea area. I don’t necessarily have the answers for those things, but I’m willing to work towards finding the answers. … I know it’s hard for a policeman to tell if people are texting and driving, but there have to be some answers as to why these things are happening on our streets.
  • Improve school buildings and facilities: I know as a community if you put pressure on the Board of Education, they’re more than likely going to do things that will make the community happy, and I think as a community we have to go down there to the Board of Education and voice our opinions.
  • Unity between lifelong and new residents: My personal opinion is there is kind of a split between people that have lived here their entire lives and people that have moved into our community, and I think we all need to realize we all want what is best for the community.
  • Open communication: I want to be the voice of the community, so if people will communicate a good place for their wants, their desires for the community, then I would bring that to the city council.

Political experience: None

Contact: elizabethcooley2016@gmail.com

WHO: HOOVER- 

Frank Brocato

Office sought: Hoover mayor

Age: 63

Residence: Ross Bridge; has lived in Hoover since 1973, except for a few years in Irondale in the mid-1970s.

Political experience: First run for public office

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: Board of directors for Literacy Council of Central Alabama; was in Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Shelby County and now serves on advisory council for Leadership Birmingham; represented city of Hoover with United Way for many years; served on medical direction committee for 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

Main issues: Provide leadership and vision for the city; maintaining a great public safety program; increasing funding for Hoover schools; develop a master plan with input from city department heads, the city planner, landowners and neighborhoods; identify vulnerable pieces of land with incorrect zoning that could negatively impact neighborhoods and figure out what zoning is appropriate; create city center

Website/social media: frankbrocatoformayor.com; Frank Brocato for Hoover Mayor on Facebook

Gary Ivey (I)

Office sought: Hoover mayor

Age: 61

Residence: Riverchase; has lived in Hoover 33 years

Political experience: Has been Hoover’s mayor since September 2011, when he was appointed to fill the final year of Tony Petelos’ term; was unopposed for mayor in 2012; served seven years on Hoover City Council, all as president (elected in 2004 and ran without opposition in 2008) 

Professional experience: President and CEO of Crest Cadillac since 1989

Civic experience: Served eight years on Hoover’s Planning and Zoning Commission; trustee at Church of the Highlands; served on board of SafeHouse of Shelby County, a service center for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, for 12 years

Education: Attended Auburn University and Walker College

Main issues: Invest heavily in public safety to protect the physical safety of Hoover residents and first responders; invest in education; maintain conservative business practices to create an atmosphere where existing businesses can grow and where new companies want to relocate

Website/social media: mayorivey.com; Mayor Gary Ivey on Facebook

Steve McClinton

Office sought: Hoover mayor

Age: 47

Residence: Lake Cyrus; has lived in Hoover 18 years

Political experience: First run for public office 

Professional experience: Principal for Security Financial Advisors retirement planning business in Bessemer the past three to four years; spent 20 years with Primerica

Civic experience: President of Hoover City Schools Foundation the past two years (now on leave of absence to run for mayor); co-founded Deer Valley Dads; served as president of Bumpus Middle School PTO for two years; serves on boards of directors for the Hoover YMCA and Hoover Helps nonprofit that works to provide food for needy children in Hoover schools; member at Hunter Street Baptist Church; has volunteered at Jimmie Hale Mission for 10 years

Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminology from Auburn University

Main issues: Refocus city’s attention on its school system and city planning; increase funding for Hoover schools; develop strategic master plan with input from elected officials, city staff, school officials, developers, builders and residents

Website/social media: onehoover.com; Steve McClinton for Hoover Mayor on Facebook

This bio was updated at 12:03 p.m. on Aug. 2 to correct McClinton's role at Security Financial Advisors.

Trey Lott

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 1

Age: 61

Residence: Greystone; has lived in Hoover since 1976, except for a recent one-year stint in Alabaster

Political experience: Served more than 10 years on Hoover City Council (elected in 2004; no opposition in 2008; overcame one opponent in 2012; resigned from council in January 2015 when he moved to rented home in Alabaster; now is back in city) 

Professional experience: Started as chiropractor in 1983; added sports medicine in 1995; now owns and runs Lott Spine & Sports in Hoover

Civic experience: Council liaison to Hoover Parks and Recreation Board; member at Church of the Highlands; team doctor for numerous youth sports teams

Education: Doctorate in chiropractic from Texas Chiropractic College; doctorate from University of Alabama School of Medicine; bachelor’s degree in psychology from University of South Carolina

Main issues: Investing in public safety is highest priority; finding long-term financial solution to support Hoover City Schools; maintaining outstanding city services such as park and recreation offerings and the city library; improving council communication with the public

Website/social media: drtreylott.com; Dr. Trey Lott for Hoover City Council Place 1 on Facebook

Curt Posey

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 1

Age: 39

Residence: Bluff Park; lifelong resident of Hoover

Political experience: First run for public office

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: Board of trustees chairman and recruitment advisor for Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at University of Alabama at Birmingham; teaches 2-year-olds in Sunday School at Hunter Street Baptist Church; volunteer performer with Birmingham Ballet; youth coach with Hoover Soccer Club; former Cahaba-Coosa chapter president of Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution; applied for seat on Hoover school board in 2015 but was not appointed

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications from University of Alabama at Birmingham

Main issues: Fostering open communication between residents and elected leaders; ensuring responsible, measured growth through growth management ordinances; increasing funding for Hoover schools 

Website/social media: curtposey.com; Curt Posey for Hoover City Council Place 1 on Facebook

Joe Rives (I)

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 1

Age: 74

Residence: Has lived off Patton Chapel Road for 46 years

Political experience: Appointed to Hoover City Council in February 2015 to replace Trey Lott; first time to seek election

Professional experience: Worked 34 years for BellSouth, specializing in computers, and then spent less than a year in computer project management for AmSouth Bank and 5 ½ years doing computer consulting before fully retiring about 11 years ago

Civic experience: Has been active at Shades Valley Presbyterian Church for 25 years and serves weekly with a Habitat for Humanity volunteer group from the church; spent past 11 years volunteering with the AARP Foundation to help with free tax return preparation, mostly for low-income and moderate-income people, at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian Church

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Tennessee

Main issues: Balance needs of all departments of the city and not give into demands of just one; make sure the city continues to be run well and maintains its AAA credit rating; make sure the new Hoover sports complex is a success

Website/social media: Joe Rives for Hoover City Council on Facebook

Gene Smith (I)

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 2

Age: 59

Residence: Magnolia Grove; has lived in Hoover 48 years (since before it was a city)

Political experience: Twelve years on Hoover City Council (elected in 2004; no opposition in 2008 and 2012)

Professional experience: Owns short-term loan companies with 18 locations in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee; owns 40 percent stake in Hoover Tactical Firearms; 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: Maintain financial stability of the city; improve public safety, particularly adding more firefighters to match city growth and improve fire insurance rating; support law enforcement with needed personnel, equipment and training; work with school officials to address education funding needs without letting city services suffer

Website/social media: GeneSmith2016.com; Gene Smith III on Facebook

Sam Swiney

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 2

Age: 33

Residence: Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover three years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Claims specialist with State Farm Insurance the past nine years

Civic experience: Attends Shades Mountain Baptist Church, where he has volunteered as a worship care leader; coaches 5-year-old T-ball team at Hoover Sports Park West

Education: Bachelor’s degree in justice sciences from University of Alabama at Birmingham

Main issues: Increase funding for Hoover City Schools; increase public engagement in city issues and attendance at council meetings; ensure smart, sustainable residential growth; work toward growth development plan that includes input from all facets of the community, including residents, the school system and police and fire departments

Website/social media: Sam Swiney on Facebook; @SamSwiney1 on Twitter

John Lyda (I)

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 3

Age: 42

Residence: Green Valley; lived in Hoover 20 years

Political experience: Has served one four-year term on Hoover City Council; on board of directors for Mid-Alabama Republican Club; managed the successful campaigns of his father, John Lyda, for Jackson County Board of Education and his father’s unsuccessful bid for Jackson County probate judge

Professional experience: Operations manager in claims administration for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama; senior financial services manager, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Birmingham branch, 1996-1997

Civic experience: Four years on Hoover Library Board; past president of Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club and Hats and Horns Societe’; member of Friends of Hoover; serves on board of directors of Red Elephant club of Birmingham; Assistance League of Birmingham and Alabama Civil Justice Foundation; in Birmingham Business Journal’s 2012 class of “Top 40 under 40”

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: Helping the city sustain its economic vitality by luring more visitors to city and recruiting high tech/research companies to diversify the tax base; ensuring “smart” residential growth by negotiating with developers to decrease housing density; working with school leaders to address funding needs

Website/social media: electjohnlyda.com; John Lyda on Facebook; @johnlyda on Twitter

Arnold Singer

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 3

Age: 79

Residence: Riverchase; has lived in Hoover more than eight years

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Town Council in Edison, New Jersey, and twice for Edison Board of Education

Professional experience: Retired; previously was principal technical coordinator for Edison Township, and proprietor of AIM-UP, a company that wrote technical manuals; and produced custom software for small and medium-sized businesses and hardware/software systems

Civic experience: Board president for The ARC of Shelby County group that helps people with developmental disabilities; board member for Hoover Historical Society; vice president of programming for Friends of Hoover; member of Shelby County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster; regular attender of Hoover council, school board and library board meetings; former secretary for Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club; former stage manager for Celebrate Hoover Day; has volunteered at SEC Baseball Tournament and Regions Charity Golf Classic; assisted city of Hoover with U.S. Census; Alabama Civil War Roundtable board member

Education: Attended Hunter College and New York University Management Institute in New York City and Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

Main issues: Develop master plan for city; develop close and respectful but not rubber-stamp relationship with school board; increase funding for Hoover schools (sales tax increase of .0025 designated for schools); make sure city staff trained well enough to replace retiring top-level administrators.

Social media: Why Singer for Place 3? on Facebook

Michael Holt

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 4

Age: 52

Residence: Russet Woods; lived in Hoover 15 years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: More than 20 years in industrial sales management, including jobs with Black Creek Integrated Systems, Mayer Electric Supply, Walden General Contractors, Schneider Electric and now Graybar Electric; adjunct instructor in electronics engineering at ITT Technical Institute in Bessemer; spent 11 years on active duty with the Army, 10 years with the reserves and one year with the National Guard, serving in both Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Korea, Germany, Egypt and Central and South America; retired from military in 2007 as sergeant major, earning Legion of Merit commendation

Civic experience: Has been the committee chairman of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 23 at Discovery United Methodist Church since 2011; member at Hunter Street Baptist Church

Education: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from University of Alabama; nine credit hours left to earn master’s degree in business administration from University of Alabama at Birmingham

Main issues: Make the city’s new 124-acre sports complex and event center as profitable and successful as possible;; give school system 10 percent of city’s sales and use taxes ($6.9 million in 2015); make the school board elected rather than appointed; create citizens advisory committee to elicit more public participation; video public meetings and publish them online; add at least 10 more police officers

Website/social media: HoltforHoover.com; SGM Michael J. Holt-Ret. on Facebook; @SGMHolt on Twitter

Mike Shaw

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 4

Age: 44

Residence: Loch Ridge; has lived in Hoover 15 years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: More than 20 years in information technology, including the past 10 years as chief technology officer and senior vice president for Mutual Savings Credit Union

Civic experience: Founding member of A2 church, where he has served in music ministry and co-led small group Bible study; served on Hoover school superintendent’s rezoning advisory board; treasurer of Birmingham chapter of Infragard organization that works with FBI to protect U.S. from hostile acts

Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration from Auburn University in 1995

Main issues: Develop comprehensive city plan; re-evaluate school funding cuts the council made in the mid-2000s and restore cooperative relationship with school system; protect integrity of older neighborhoods with revamped housing ordinances, programs to help senior adults and low-income people better maintain homes, and upgraded infrastructure and amenities to more closely match newer neighborhoods

Website/social media: electmikeshaw.com; Mike Shaw for Hoover City Council on Facebook and @ElectMikeShaw on Twitter

Dan Ellis

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 5

Age: 45

Residence: Trace Crossings; lived in Hoover 15 years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Regional sales manager for Total Administrative Services Corp. (human resources services); 25 years experience in sales, including 15 years in mortgage industry; formerly ran his own mortgage company; other employers included Wachovia Bank and NCP Solutions

Civic experience: Former president of Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce; won fundraising Leadership Award from National Multiple Sclerosis Society; volunteer with American Heart Association Heart Ball; member of Hunter Street Baptist Church

Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University

Main issues: Continue and promote economic growth in Hoover; increase funding to Hoover City Schools; encourage moderate residential growth; attract more visitors to Hoover

Social media: votefordanellis.com; Dan Ellis for Hoover City Council on Facebook

Derrick Murphy

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 5

Age: 36

Residence: Ross Bridge; has lived in Hoover 11 years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Client services and project manager for Gresham Smith & Partners engineering firm; worked for Birmingham Water Works Board from 2002 to 2015

Civic experience: Served five years on Hoover school board, including this past year as president; founded and organized Hoover City Dad Brigade back-to-school cleanup past two years; former member of Hoover Board of Zoning Adjustments; mentored eighth-grade boys in leadership skills through Alpha program at Bumpus Middle School; served on YMCA of Hoover board and Alabama Association of School Boards advisory committee; member at Hunter Street Baptist Church

Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and master’s degree in engineering, focusing on construction management (both from University of Alabama at Birmingham).

Main issues: Ensure excellent schools; maintain standard of excellence with regard to public safety; keep Hoover’s momentum with smart, sustainable growth; work toward creation of citywide performing arts facility to provide large venue for live theater, musical performances, school productions and more

Website/social media: derrickmurphy.com; Derrick M. Murphy for Hoover City Council on Facebook; D_Murphy2016 on Twitter; d_murphy2016 on Instagram; Derrick Murphy on flickr

Jason DeLuca

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 6

Age: 32

Residence: Green Valley; lived in Hoover one year

Political experience: Ran unsuccessfully for Alabama Republican Party Executive Committee in 2014; was appointed to the state Executive Committee by Shelby County Republican Party, for which he served as secretary; former secretary for Greater Birmingham Young Republicans; has been involved with Young Republican Federation of Alabama and serves as adult advisor for Greater Birmingham Teenage Republicans

Professional experience: Manager at Homewood Suites by Hilton in Inverness; manager for Homewood Suites in Montgomery 2011-2014; manager of Fairfield Inn by Marriott in Inverness 2009-2011

Civic experience: Member of Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club; involved with Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce; started River Region Hotel Olympics in Montgomery (team-building competition that collected three tons of food for Central Alabama Food Bank)

Education: Bachelor’s degree in management from Auburn University in Montgomery

Main issues: Increasing funding for Hoover schools; ensuring transparency in city government to increase community engagement; making sure growth and development coincides with infrastructure, public safety and education needs; keeping business taxes low; supporting public safety; promoting Hoover as destination for meetings and events 

Website/social media: JasonJDeLuca.com; Jason DeLuca for Hoover City Council on Facebook

Casey Middlebrooks

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 6

Age: 39

Residence: Ross Bridge since 2014; also lived in Hoover 1996-2000

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Librarian at Spain Park High School since 2010; librarian at Midfield High School 2007-2010; clerk at Hoover Public Library 1996-2007; was city of Hoover’s 1998-99 Employee of the Year

Civic experience: 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: Restoring adequate funding to Hoover schools and cooperative relationship between the council and school system; creating a community-driven, comprehensive, strategic master plan for responsible growth and development; creating more transparent city government that promotes community involvement 

Website/social media: Dr. Casey Middlebrooks on Facebook

John Greene (I)

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 7

Age: 64

Residence: Shades Mountain/Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover 33 years

Political experience: Has served eight years on Hoover City Council 

Professional experience: Fraud investigator with Travelers Insurance Investigative Services since 1999; Birmingham Police Department 1977-97 (retired as sergeant)

Civic experience: Member of Hunter Street Baptist Church, Hoover Historical Society, Friends of Hoover, Friends of Hoover Library, Friends of Shades Mountain, Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club, Hoover Veterans Committee and Hoover New Horizons senior citizens group; 40 years of service with U.S. Army, including National Guard, Reserve duty and 2½ years of active duty (retired as lieutenant colonel) 

Education: Master’s degree in education and bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, both from University of Alabama at Birmingham

Main issues: Listen to residents and vote according to their voices; ensure financial stability, purposeful planning and high quality of life for Hoover; bring school funding up to appropriate level to ensure excellence in education; increase collaboration between the council and residents and open discussion of all issues.

Robin Schultz

Office sought: Hoover Council, Place 7

Age: 54

Residence: Bluff Park; has lived in Hoover 28 years

Political experience: First run for public office

Professional experience: Owner of PC Medics of Alabama

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 earlier this year; youth baseball umpire at Hoover Sports Park West 1997-2007; taught youth Sunday school classes at Green Valley 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

Main issues: Increase funding for Hoover schools and transparency in city government

Website/social media: robinforhoover.com; Robin Schultz for Hoover City Council on Facebook; @robinforhoover on Twitter and Instagram

WHEN

  • Aug. 8- Deadline for the city to select election officials. Last day to register to vote in the municipal elections.
  • Aug. 18- Last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot.
  • Aug. 22- Last day to apply for an emergency absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by end of business day on Aug. 22, or postmarked Aug. 22 and received by noon Aug. 23.
  • Aug. 23- Election day. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Aug. 30- Election results will be counted and certificates of election will be issued to all candidates who receive a majority. Runoffs will be planned for any seats where no candidate received a majority.
  • Sept. 5- Last day for candidates to contest election results. Candidates participating in runoff elections must continue their weekly campaign disclosure reports up until the runoffs.
  • Sept. 29- Last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot for runoff elections.
  • Oct. 3- Last day to apply for an emergency absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by end of business day on Oct. 3, or postmarked Oct. 3 and received by noon Oct. 4.
  • Oct. 4- Runoff elections.
  • Oct. 11- Runoff results will be counted and certificates of election issued.
  • Oct. 17-  Last day for runoff candidates to contest election results. Candidates who do not win election must file with the Jefferson County probate judge to dissolve their campaign committee.
  • Nov. 7- Mayor and council members take office.

WHERE

Polling locations:

In Chelsea: The only polling location for Chelsea Municipal Elections is Chelsea City Hall.  

In Hoover: Most people will vote at the same place where they vote during other elections as long as the voting location is in the city limits, City Clerk Margie Handley said.

People who normally vote at a polling place outside the city limits will be reassigned to another polling place for the municipal election, she said.

Handley said she plans to mail out forms to registered voters informing them of their polling places, but residents also may call the city clerk’s office at 444-7500 for election information.

HOW

Registering to vote:

  • First time:  Applicants who are registering to vote for the first time must complete a State of Alabama Voter Registration Form and submit it to the county where they live. The applicant must provide a physical address — not a P.O. box — as well as their date of birth and an original signature. A State of Alabama Voter Registration Card will be mailed to the voter, and that will show the voter’s polling location.
  • Finding forms:  Voter registration forms can be found at the office of the Board of Registrars, satellite licensing offices in Inverness and Pelham and public libraries. It is also available for download at shelbyal.com.
  • Verifying information:  Voters who are already registered to vote should make sure their information, including name and address if there has been a recent change, is up to date. Voter registration does not transfer between counties even within the same state, and any voters who have moved into Shelby County will have to complete a new registration. Name changes and changes of address within the county must be made in writing and forwarded to the board of registrars. Voters can check that they are registered to vote by entering their last name, county and date of birth at alabamavotes.gov.
  • Qualifications:  To vote in a municipal election, such as the Chelsea election, a voter must live in the city for 30 days before registering to vote. Applications sent by mail should be postmarked before Aug. 10 and sent directly to the board of registrars.

Hoover candidate Joel Smith withdrew from the race for Council Place 4.