Coucilmen l-r Tom Chappell, Ken Doss, Kenny Thompson and Mike Roberson interview city council applicant Larry Murphree. Mayor Pro Temp Bill Smelser sits in on the interviews. | Randy Garrison

Randy Garrison

Hartselle Enquirer

The four remaining members of the Hartselle City Council, Kenny Thompson (Council president), Mike Roberson, Ken Doss and Tom Chappell interviewed the 15 applicants for the upcoming vacancy on the council on Monday evening, Nov. 10, 2015. The seat will be open on December 1, 2015, when Mayor Pro Tem Bill Smelser officially becomes the Mayor of Hartselle.

Smelser has been serving in this position since Mayor Don Hall offered his resignation as mayor in August with the effective date of Nov. 30, 2015. Hall also surrendered all of the duties of the office of mayor in August as well, the duties Smelser has been carrying out since Hall’s departure from city hall.

The council members asked each applicant the same set of four questions during the interview process. Each applicant was also given time after answering the questions to give more information about themselves or to give the council reasons they should be picked for the vacancy.

The questions included:

•What prior experience working with civic, community or governmental organizations do you have?

•What do you perceive as the three most important concerns facing Hartselle? Do you have any suggestions on how to handle these concerns?

•All cities are facing fiscal challenges, how would you address balancing the budget, would you consider various alternatives and trade-offs?

•What will you do if the rest of the council doesn’t agree with the direction you feel is best, how will you address the conflict?

The applicants for the council seat include:

Neal Smith, retired foreman/supervisor at Amoco Chemicals, past member of Civitan and a former youth sports leader and band booster. He would like to promote Hartselle as the true southern hospitality city.

Daniel Crowe, an aerospace engineer who wants to bring conservative values and financial responsibility to Hartselle.

Jason Armstrong, a member of the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors, wants to bring jobs to Hartselle.

Terry Phillips, who has worked in public accounting for 30-plus years and a member of the Hartselle Utilities Board, wants to promote growth and better maintain the standard of living for Hartselle citizens.

George Herring, retired from the Mental Health Center and currently works at Sparkman Elementary with special needs students, wants to bring new ideas to the council.

James Bombard, an electrician and mechanic in large manufacturing plants, wants to help create a clean progressive city for all to enjoy.

Billy Buckelew, a former city councilman and retired from construction management and finance, wants to move Hartselle forward in a positive manner.

Earnestine Doubek, a retired RN and supervisor/lead technologist at Cook County Chicago Hospital, wants to ensure the interests of the citizens are taken into account.

Larry Murphree, a business owner in Hartselle for 26 years and a 34-year Hartselle Kiwanian, wants to serve the community.

Randy Kirby, retired from General Electric and owner of a lawn care business, wants to make a difference in Hartselle.

Teresa Haynes, a 37-year General Electric Employee and United Way Board member, wants to work hard to help Hartselle grow.

Max Merrill, a long serving Hartselle dentist and former district governor of Lions Club, wants to help the current mayor and council promote and advance the City of Hartselle.

Bruce Lackey, retired Morgan County Parks and Recreation director and youth league coach, wants to make Hartselle a great place to raise a family.

Virginia Alexander, a former member of the city council and currently Morgan Baptist Project Care Ministries Director, is willing to commit to serving Hartselle and knows the dedication and work needed to serve the citizens of Hartselle.

Jerry Putman, retired and former councilmen, wants to help bring in new business to Hartselle and more jobs.

Many responses by the applicants were similar when asked what they see as important concerns for Hartselle. The concerns include bringing in new industry, developing the 36/65 corridors, addressing downtown drainage issues, and filling empty buildings downtown.

The council hopes to fill the vacancy before the first council meeting in December, which will be conducted on Dec. 8