By Trent Moore
The Cullman Times
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Though he’s relatively young to the political arena, first-time Cullman city council member Clint Hollingsworth has enjoyed serving the past four years — and he hopes it’s that lack of political posturing that will help him come back for another term in Place 3.
“I would be humbled and honored to have that opportunity again for another four years,” he said. “I appreciate the opportunity to serve Cullman, and this community has been very welcoming and supportive of myself and my family over the years. I look forward to the bright future ahead. There are definitely some things we’d like to see through and finish, but also some things we want to start and continue.”
Hollingsworth pointed to the recent April 2011 tornadoes, and noted the aftermath as an example of what local government can do when everyone works together.
“I look at it as a council, us being a team, and how you handle tragedy, and even how you handle success, because some may handle one better than the other, or vice versa,” he said. “I think we’ve been good stewards of the money coming in, and how the storm efforts were handled, trying to help the local businesses get back to work and back into their normal routine with the facade grant program. I think that’s just one facet, how you handle what you’ve been given, and we’ve been given a lot, and there’s a lot of responsibility that comes into that.”
Hollingsworth said the character of the community inspired him in the weeks following the storm, and its that character he wants to work to preserve.
“Sometimes, the worst thing that can happen can sometimes be the best thing that can happen, because of course a lot of people were affected, but we also got to see the true colors of our community, and it was an awesome thing,” he said. “There were neighbors helping cut up trees for neighbors, and you saw businesses, churches and everyone get involved and work together to get things done.”
Looking toward the next four years, Hollingsworth said he would like to play a role in developing the city-owned Burrow property on County Road 222 for community use, as well as industrial recruitment. He also noted the idea of a new library, which has been planned off and on by local officials for decades.
“You can maybe look at trying to do a state-of-the-art media resource library, to grow and expand and really have a top-notch resource center, all in a central location,” he said. “There are a lot of things you’d love to see done, but obviously time will tell if it comes to fruition.”
Hollingsworth is also excited about new retail growth, and said he believes numerous new projects could be in the pike for the next four years.
“I think Cullman, looking at the past, has a great record of exceeding expectations,” he said. “Whether it’s with park and recreation, retail or industry. People would say ‘I don’t know if we can support an aquatic center, or a Chick-Fil-A,’ and we’ve just blown all those numbers out of the water. It’s a great track record for the community.”
Hollingsworth is the only announced candidate for Place 3, and will be on the August 28 municipal ballot.
* Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
