Mayor Brocato, Police Chief Derzis discuss Hoover mayoral race
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — Incumbent Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato and Hoover Police Chief Nick Derzis joined CBS 42 Morning News to discuss why each are running for mayor.
Brocato, a former fire marshal and paramedic, has held the position since 2016 and is running for his third term.
During his 2025 State of the City address, Brocato placed a focus on decreasing crime, improving schools, and growing business within in the city. On Monday, Brocato emphasized the importance of revitalizing businesses in the area, including the Riverchase Galleria.
Alabama-born actor Michael Rooker stars as villain in final season of 'The Righteous Gemstones'
Brocato also spoke about the creation of Riverwalk Village, a 90-acre mixed-use community that will be located in Riverchase as a key source for business and economic growth.
Police Chief Derzis, who has served as chief since 2005, announced he was running for mayor back in March.
'Hoover needs leadership that innovates, not stagnates,' Derzis said during his announcement. 'Leadership that listens, not manipulates; leadership that plans, not reacts.'
When asked why he decided to run for mayor, Derzis said Brocato actually approached him to run last year.
'Well, the mayor is the one that brought it to my attention last year. Called me to his office one day to have a conversation and he said 'You know, have you ever thought about running for mayor? I may not run, and you ought to consider it.''
While Brocato ultimately decided to run for a third term, Derzis said he felt that after nine years it was time for a change in leadership. Derzis cited communication issues between the city council and mayor's office and business stagnation as areas he would look to improve on.
With a population of over 92,000 people, Hoover is one of the largest cities in Alabama and was recently named one of the top 25 places in the Southeast to live by Livability.com.
Hoover's municipal election will be held Aug. 26.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
13 hours ago
- CBS News
West Sacramento's State of the City: Mayor touts growth, planned $100M investments into city projects
West Sacramento mayor breaks down top priorities from 2025 State of the City address West Sacramento mayor breaks down top priorities from 2025 State of the City address West Sacramento mayor breaks down top priorities from 2025 State of the City address WEST SACRAMENTO -- Mayor Martha Guerrero, in her State of the City address, emphasized growth as she laid out future plans for the city on Thursday. The mayor, in listing off the successes of this past year, was quick to first point out that West Sacramento pulled off Sutter Health Park becoming the new temporary home of the formerly-Oakland Athletics as the club makes its eventual move to Las Vegas. "We are setting the standard for what a small but mighty city can do. We're not just growing. We are growing with purpose and with passion," said Guerrero in her address to the city. In less than a year's time, the city got the AAA-Minor League ballpark up to Major League Baseball standards, implemented a traffic safety plan and worked to invest in small businesses near the ballpark, helping them expand and prepare for an increase in foot traffic. The city is leaning into its newly announced nickname, 'the baseball side of the river.' "We are demonstrating to Major League Baseball that we have what it takes, a small city, what it takes to highlight some of the success along the riverfront," Guerrero told CBS13. With rapid growth, West Sacramento is going through some expected growing pains. It's had to respond to more foot traffic, a population uptick and all the infrastructure needs that entails. Better roads, more police and bigger projects are the city's focus. A major priority for both the city of West Sacramento and the city of Sacramento is finally breaking ground on the years-in-the-making I Street Bridge Replacement Project. In collaboration with Sacramento, Guerrero says West Sacramento will be financially investing in the project and expect it to break ground in 2026. "What we do need is a bigger bridge that allows for safer bike and pedestrian traffic going to the Railyards and also coming to our Washington District, which we are planning on expanding," said Guerrero. As Sacramento faces a steep $44 million budget deficit, West Sacramento is seeing rare financial freedom. Guerrero pointed to the November election, when voters passed a sales tax increase through Measure O. Its passage has now given the green light to a more than $20 million investment back into city projects. "For parks, addressing homelessness, police and fire," said Guerrero. The mayor says Measure O has already helped West Sacramento's police force grow by 38 new officers and funded critically needed road repairs. Plus, in a first of its kind $86 million bond issuance, the city over three years will be able to fast-track new development projects. This, Guerrero says, one day could mean that West Sacramento has its own downtown scene. "Right now, it is just conversations on what we can do to support building a downtown that is attractive with mixed-use development along West Capitol," said Guerrero. West Capitol Ave. is home to the Grand Gateway Master Plan, which reimagines the corridor connecting Jefferson Blvd. down to the riverfront. The city has recently purchased old motel properties along West Capitol Ave. that currently house homeless temporary housing services to eventually be turned into a boutique hotel and new housing. Next summer, the city also expects the Pierside Development along the waterfront to open, home to more than 200 new apartments and commercial space. A hotel on the water is also in its early planning stages next to the Ziggurat building on the West Sacramento side of the river. "I'm proud to share we are seeing remarkable momentum across all sectors. Industrial, residential, office, retail and mixed use," said Guerrero in her state of the city remarks. Watch the mayor's full address at this link.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Alabama 10-year-old featured in Nike commercial to star in feature film
Birmingham, Ala (WIAT) — You may have seen Aria May in a catchy Nike Ad with WNBA star A'ja Wilson that debuted in May of this year. The 10-year-old from Alabaster can be seen teaching the three-time WNBA MVP from the Las Vegas Aces how to do a hand clap to the tune of Miss Mary Mack — but with catchier lyrics about Wilson's bona fides as a WNBA all-star and her Signature Nike A'One Basketball Shoes. As for how they landed on that hand clap, Aria May said, 'We were doing hand claps seeing which one would be best for me, so I could like make it better. So, we did the hand claps, and I found the one that's best for me. Miss Mary Mack.' May, who is entering the fifth grade this year, is the same age the commercial's director was when she first came on the national stage. That director, Malia Obama, was 10 years old when her family moved into the White House following the election of President Barack Obama. Aria's mother, Tineshia May, said it was already a big deal that Aria booked Nike, but they were both surprised when they arrived at the commercial shoot and saw Malia Obama and A'ja Wilson. She explained that the production was kept secretive. 'I look over to my right and I said, oh — that looks like Malia Obama, and I was like, that can't be, you know, just sitting there,' Tineshia May said. 'And then, when she came in, she said, 'I'm looking for Ms. Aria May. She came in and grabbed her, and said, 'I loved your audition, I loved the call back.' She was like, 'I chose you'. I was like, 'oh wow.'' Aria May, who has been doing commercials for about five years, said this one is her favorite so far. Birmingham man claims city forced him to sell home 20 years ago that's still standing 'At first, I was thinking, 'This is a commercial. We're going to get it done and then we can just chill out,'' Aria May said. 'But then, a surprise. We have Malia Obama coming in, then we have A'ja Wilson. I was like, 'What, what?' I was really surprised, but I was very comfortable.' Aria May said she wasn't nervous meeting Malia Obama, who she called Mo. 'She was very, very nice. She was really good at giving instructions, she was very precise, and overall, she was just very sweet,' she said. This 10-year-old actor can make that observation based on her own experience, which includes several commercials and feature length films. Some of these films include 'Reparashun' and 'Just in Time for the Holidays.' Aria May will also be featured in 'Paw Paw and Dayja,' a Gregory Alan Williams film coming out later this year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Yahoo
Nonprofit organization donates 3 AED's to American Village
MONTEVALLO, Ala. (WIAT) — The Lord Wedgewood Charity donated three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to Montevallo's American Village. Based in Birmingham, the Lord Wedgewood Charity is dedicated to supplying high schools and community gathering places with AEDs. 'The donation was made possible through the collaborative efforts of several local leaders with deep ties to American Village and each other,' American Village said in a statement. Rusty Lowe, an alum of Leadership Shelby County who works with GoRescue, will assist with installation and training for the AED units. 23-year-old former Walker County deputy pleads guilty in case involving death of Anthony 'Tony' Mitchell 'This is an important step for American Village to provide safety for their visitors and staff,' Lowe said in a statement. 'We are excited to be part of this process. AEDs and CPR are of utmost importance for the survival of victims experiencing sudden cardiac arrest and time is of the essence.' According to a statement from American Village, this donation will enhance emergency preparedness and ensure a safe environment. 'This is a great example of what happens when a community works together,' Alan Miller, CEO of American Village stated. 'Thanks to the kindness and initiative of these individuals and organizations, we are better prepared to respond to medical emergencies—especially during large public events like Independence Day, when we welcome thousands of visitors to campus.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
