WEST POINT —
From strong family values to community sport, Michael Hall loves everything about the town of West Point.
Having moved there from Lakeland, Fla., several years ago, Hall has seen the growth the town has made since a population increase of roughly 49 percent. However, he also says he’s seen a lot of wasteful spending during that time as well, and if elected mayor of the town on Aug. 28, that’s something he hopes to change.
“There has been too much unnecessary spending, which is why things for other organizations such as our schools and fire department can’t be done because we have no money anymore” Hall said. “I just feel there was a better way the money could have better benefited the people.”
One example Hall used was the recent vote by West Point’s town council to approve paying off the town’s remaining balance on its new sewer system 12 years early by making three $29,000 payments per month until the end of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.
“That didn’t benefit the whole town,” Hall said. “The new system is costing the town more than what it’s bringing in, and that’s not smart business.”
The municipality also just received land on Highway 157 from the state of Alabama, at no cost, to build a new municipal complex, something else Hall said he doesn’t see being beneficial to the community.
“Again, it’s a waste of money,” Hall said. “Currently, town hall is only open one day a week, and the town council only meets once a month. It would just be more county money wasted that could be going to projects the town needs.”
If elected, he said he would propose updating and expanding the current building.
“My intention is to make what we have better,” he said. “having lived elsewhere, i truly appreciate the uniqueness of the town and want to do whatever I can to progress the town to grow while keeping the values and personality of this small town a top priority. I believe in honesty, integrity, and working together with the council to bring transparency and understanding of the town business to the community.”
Hall owned his own construction business while in Florida; however he sold it when he moved. He currently owns a poultry farm in West Point and is an active member of several organizations in the county.
CORRECTION: Town Clerk Vivian Woods told The Times Tuesday afternoon that town hall is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.
* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com
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