Latest news with #HunterPepper
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two withdraw, one enters race on final day of qualifying for Decatur elections
Jun. 24—The final day of qualifying for Decatur's 2025 municipal election saw one longtime incumbent drop out, one newcomer join the campaign and a candidate enter the mayor's race and withdraw on the same day. Dwight Jett Jr., who is completing his seventh term as the District 4 school board member, withdrew from the race. Newcomer Alberto Miguez is the only candidate to qualify in the District 4 race. Councilman Hunter Pepper jumped into the mayor's race on the final day of qualifying for the 2025 municipal election, and then dropped out. Pepper's withdrawal leaves four candidates to replace Mayor Tab Bowling, who chose not to run after two terms. The candidates are Billy Jackson, Kent Lawrence, Butch Matthews and Suzie Wiley. Despite announcing last week that he planned to run again, Pepper also pulled out of the District 4 City Council race. On Tuesday, Jamie Handley became the sixth person to qualify for the council District 4 race. His District 4 opponents are Sarah French, Joshua Horton, Jason Putman, Angie Thom and Pam Werstler. The municipal election is Aug. 26. — or 256-340-2432
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pepper enters and then withdraws from mayor's race
Jun. 24—Councilman Hunter Pepper jumped into the mayor's race on the final day of qualifying for the 2025 municipal election, and then dropped out before the race began. Pepper said in a text message, "Method to the Madness," that he "qualified for mayor to prove a point. Anyone with $50 (or for free) can walk into the clerk's office, 'qualify' for mayor and get 15 minutes of fame..." Pepper's withdrawal leaves four candidates to replace Mayor Tab Bowling, who chose not to run after two terms. The candidates are Billy Jackson, Kent Lawrence, Butch Matthews and Suzie Wiley. Announcing last week that he planned to run again, Pepper also pulled out of the District 4 City Council race. In a social media post Tuesday afternoon, he wrote, "Our city needs leadership that i do not have the ability or knowledge to give." Pepper, 23, was 18 when elected. Candidates who have qualified to represent District 4 in Southwest Decatur are Sarah French, Joshua Horton, Jason Putman, Angie Thom and Pam Werstler. — or 256-340-2432
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second phase of Sixth Avenue streetscape project approved
Feb. 20—The Decatur City Council this week approved the second and most visible phase of the Sixth Avenue beautification project, which will begin this spring, and also upped the pay for the next mayor and council members. The City Council voted 2-1 to approve the $8.07 million contract with Grayson Carter & Son Contracting Inc. for the streetscape project at Monday's meeting. Councilmen Hunter Pepper and Kyle Pike were absent. The aim of the $10 million project is to beautify and improve the safety of the 1-mile stretch of Sixth Avenue between the Hudson Memorial Bridge and Prospect Drive Southeast at Delano Park. The project includes moving utilities underground, new sidewalks, landscaping and traffic signals. Cement barriers will be installed that would change traffic patterns and eliminate three left-turn lanes along the route. Moving utilities underground was the first phase, and Council President Jacob Ladner said the next phase would likely begin in April. The project is expected to take about 18 months, city Director of Development Dane Shaw said. Councilman Carlton McMasters said he supports the project, but pointed out his concern is they make sure the city can easily care for the planned landscaping. Councilman Billy Jackson voted against the resolution. He has been against the project since the beginning. A $7.15 million bond is funding most of the proposed project, with the remaining $918,901 being funded with a combination of a state grant and city funding. With the help of state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, the city received a $640,000 Transportation Alternatives Program grant from the Alabama Department of Transportation to help with the project. — Election raises A unanimous City Council approved raises for the next mayor and City Council when their term starts in November. State law requires the council to set the pay for the council and mayor six months before the municipal election. The council approved increasing the mayor's salary by 7%, council president's pay by 32% and council members' pay by 31%. Mayor Tab Bowling, who is not seeking reelection, makes a $106,631 annual salary, with a $5,700 car allowance. The approved resolution raises the mayor's annual salary — including car allowance, which doesn't change — to $120,000. The council president's annual pay increases from $18,127 to $24,000, 20% of the mayor's salary. The rest of the council members' pay goes from $15,995 to $21,000. "The group just felt like we needed to approve the raises for various reasons," Ladner said. "One, there's a lot of work involved and trying to keep up with the requirements of the job. There's also the candidate pool. We want more candidates to come in and run for those positions. Maybe if there's more pay there, you get more and better-qualified candidates." Chief Financial Officer Kyle Demeester, who was absent Monday, presented the proposed ordinance change at a called meeting the council held last week. He said the increases put Decatur's city officials in line with other like-size cities in the state. Decatur's mayor and council salaries have not changed since 2012. The Gary Hammon-led council increased mayor and salaries by 3% and set these pay rates for a four-year term. Previous mayors and council members received 2% annual raises, beginning in 2008. However, these city leaders could and often did decline the raises as city finances struggled because of the recession that began in 2008. — or 256-340-2432
