By Patrick McCreless

PATRICKM@CULLMANTIMES.COM

Hanceville — Citizens had the chance to meet candidates and hear how they would work to improve Hanceville during the city council candidate forum Tuesday.

Of the 14 people running for the five seats on the city council, only seven attended the event at Wallace State Community College, which was sponsored by The Cullman Times and the Hanceville Business Council.

Candidates who attended included incumbent Jo Ann Walls (Place 1), Sally Alexander (Place 2), incumbent Larry Cornett (Place 2), Kim Newman Brown (Place 3), Charles Wilson (Place 4), Oscar Santiago (Place 4) and Ed Flaig (Place 5).

Candidate Johnny Whitaker (Place 1), said he could not attend due to a previously scheduled business trip to Canada. Incumbent Selma Barnett (Place 4), said she could not attend since she is recovering from surgery.

Rhonda Jett (Place 1), incumbent Hubert Jones (Place 3), Rodell Knight (Place 3), James Jimmy Sawyer (Place 5) and incumbent Wayne Armstrong (Place 5) did not give reasons for their absences.

When asked how she would improve Hanceville’s image after years of bad press, Walls said she would do what she could to lift up Hanceville all over the state.

“I think I have proven I care about the citizens,” Walls said. “This will be my third term. I’ve always loved Hanceville and I will make sure the citizens get what they deserve.”

Walls said she would ensure transparency and integrity within city government.

“I will not sell my soul,” Walls said. “Everything I do is an open-door policy.”

To improve relations between the city and citizens, Walls said she would work to bring back public speaking segments at city council meetings.

“I would definitely support that,” she said. “In previous years, citizens had the right to speak.”

Alexander, who is currently Co-Manager for the Hanceville Water and Sewer Board, was first asked if there was anything the city could do to help the board. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management hit the Hanceville Water and Sewer Board with a string of violations in recent years due to unpermitted overflows from the city wastewater treatment plant.

“I think a lot can be done that has not been done in the past,” Alexander said.

Alexander said she would work with Wallace State, which has its own grant writer, to aggressively fight for sewer repair grant money.

“I feel we’ll be able to get grant money from several sources,” Alexander said.

Cornett, who is a member of the sewer board, said the city should definitely work closer with the board over the next four years.

“That (sewer system) has definitely been a holdup in getting industries here,” Cornett said.

Cornett said the strengths he possesses that would best benefit the city are 40 years worth of management skills.

“I’ve managed businesses ... I have my own business,” Cornett said. “I have brought my management skills and I will continue to do that.”

Alexander said 12 months of study in municipal law are some of the skills she would bring to the table if elected.

“If you don’t know the law, you’re not ready to serve,” Alexander said.

She noted that she has held management positions for three decades working for Wal-Mart, the city of Hanceville and the water and sewer board.

Concerning Wallace State’s future growth and what she could do to assist with that growth, Alexander explained that without a functional sewage system, there would be little growth.

“Infrastructure is everything,” Alexander said. “I will work with agencies to get grants.”Cornett said he would work to bring new housing into the area for students.

“I’ll look for a developer to do that,” he said.

Over the last few years, the city of Hanceville has had a steady stream of job turnovers. To fix the problem and keep employees, Cornett said a better job interviewing process is needed.

“Interviewing is very important,” Cornett said. “I look for honesty and willingness to work.”

Alexander said Hanceville has a wealth of local people willing to work for the city.

“I don’t feel they have been given a fair shot,” she said. “I think you get back what you give. You need to look at resources in your area.”

While Cornett and Alexander were asked how Hanceville could help Wallace State grow, Brown was asked how the college could help the city grow.

“We have many (college) students who can be part of this city and help at the schools,” Brown said. “And I think we’re missing a huge opportunity by not getting schools involved with Wallace.”

When asked how the local chamber of commerce could make Hanceville a better place, Brown said the chamber should work with the city to bring in small businesses downtown.

“When you go through downtown, it’s mostly empty buildings,” Brown said.

Brown said her greatest asset is being a native Hanceville citizen.

“I’m a born and bred Hanceville-ian,” Brown said. “This is my heart. I’m here to serve.”

Several months ago, the city council made a controversial decision to fire Hanceville Fire Chief Mike Watson. When asked if he would take steps to offer Watson a job if one became available, Santiago said he would first have to look at the facts and then talk with the rest of the council about the matter.

“It has to be the council’s decision,” Santiago said. “I will not make that decision by myself.”

Wilson said if a position became available, he would accept applications from Watson along with anyone else who wanted the job and then make a decision on who to hire.

“Every job in this town should be taken by application,” Wilson said.

To attract more business to Hanceville, Wilson said he would travel and advocate for the town.

“I’ll go to trade shows and show them what we have to offer at our industrial park ... and at Wallace State,” he said.

Santiago said he would bring forth an incentive package, but not before certain problems in Hanceville are fixed.

“Hanceville’s broke right now,” Santiago said. “We have to be able to know we can sustain our local businesses.”

Santiago said he should be elected because he would fight for the voice of the people.

“I will fight for your values,” he said. “I will go out and make myself available 24/7.”

Wilson said besides having a certification in city planning and zoning, he should be elected because he is a hard worker who is open-minded.

“I’ll throw the good-ole-boy syndrome out the window,” he said.

Flaig said he could not answer his first question of which city department did he think was under-funded because such information was unavailable.

“Last year I asked for the city finances while I owned the Hanceville paper,” Flaig said. “I have not received the finances from the city. I have an accounting degree. I’d like to look at the books.”

Among the things Flaig would like to accomplish if elected are bringing in businesses that interest Wallace State students and improve the local senior center.

Flaig said he would foster industrial growth and tourism in Hanceville by getting some good news for the city.

“If we get good press it’ll bring good people and good money,” Flaig said. “Let’s work with the media. Let’s put in what’s going on in the city.”

To Flaig, the controversial activities of the current city administration are why he decided to run for the council.

“These last four years have been unbelievable,” Flaig said. “I want to be one of the six to bring Hanceville forward in a Christian way.”