Latest news with #PaulFinley
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
City of Madison mayoral candidates speak to News 19 ahead of Aug. 26 election
MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — In just two months, voters in the City of Madison will elect a new mayor. This comes as long-time Mayor Paul Finley is not seeking re-election. The Madison Municipal Election is Tuesday, August 26th. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, and one of the races on the ballot will be for mayor. Dates to remember for Madison municipal elections So far, three candidates have filled out their qualifying paperwork and told News 19 that they are officially in the race. Those candidates are: Ranae Bartlett, Margi Daly, and Steve Smith. Voters may recognize Bartlett's name as she is a sitting city council member and previously served on the school board. Bartlett told News 19 that she hopes voters recognize the leadership qualities she says she could bring to the office. 'I'm the only elected official who is running for mayor, and I think that people trust me, that I'm honest,' Bartlett said. 'Being financially responsible is a key component of being mayor.' 'Our market is resilient': Madison County housing market shows promise amidst national market slowdown She said, if elected, she would focus on improving infrastructure and keeping schools strong. 'I think for the next administration, what we really need to focus on are roads and traffic and answering those concerns of our citizens,' Bartlett said. 'When we look forward to what we will be focused on, we're going to look at roads and schools.' 'I believe that Madison deserves leadership who listens intently, plans strategically, and delivers results for the people who elect them to serve,' she added. Madison resident Margi Daly tells News 19 that she is a 'for the people' candidate and that she is running a 'grassroots campaign' for mayor. She said fiscal responsibility is her top priority. 'I'm for the people,' she said. 'I'm tired of watching the money be wasted, every council we're spending millions of dollars, and it's going to be on the backs of 19,000 rooftops,' Daly added. Daly said improving infrastructure and quality of life in Madison would be a focus if elected. She also said transparency is something she would want to bring inside the walls at City Hall. 'I will be open book,' she said. 'When I'm elected, any citizen can come down and see what the mayor and council are doing, I think that's the right thing to do, it's the way our government is supposed to work, but it does not work here in Madison currently.' Daly does not have former political experience, but she tells News 19 that she previously served on an ABC Board. 'I have experience in New Jersey, I was and Alcohol Beverage Commissioner, which was in charge of 535 liquor licenses,' she said. 'I know the rules, I'm a rule follower, in general.' Steve Smith is another familiar name around City Hall in Madison. He currently serves as City Administrator and previously served on the City Council. He told News 19 that he believes his experience is what makes him the best candidate for Mayor. 'I've got the most experience, I know the in's and out's of city government, I know who brings the Friday doughnuts,' he said. 'So, just knowing the in's and out's, knowing how to work through the system, and making things better each and every day qualifies me to be the next mayor.' He said he believes the city is on a good path right now. 'We're the best zip code in the state of Alabama, we've got the number one school system in the state of Alabama, why do we want to change that? Why do we want to change that path?' Smith said. 'As mayor, I'll always listen to all of our community because you know that's why we're there, to serve our people, serve the community, and I'm not running out of personal ambition,' Smith said. The City of Madison Municipal Election is Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The City of Madison has not released the official ballot for the municipal election yet. Last week, a spokesperson for the City of Madison told News 19, 'While the open qualification period is June 10 – June 24th, the City Clerk's office must wait to hear back from the Alabama Ethics Commission. The official confirmed names will not be given before June 25th at Noon.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Armed Forces Celebration kicks off after proclamation signing in Madison County
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — A proclamation signing Monday morning officially kicked off the two-week-long Armed Forces Celebration in Madison County. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison Mayor Paul Finley and Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon all signed the proclamation recognizing June 1 through June 14 as the Armed Forces Celebration in the area. 'A chaotic mess': Vietnam Veterans reflect on war after 50 years 'It is an honor for me to be able to sign this proclamation here on behalf of the residents in Madison County,' McCutcheon said at the ceremony. 'Thank you to our military for what they do for us, not only here in Madison County, but in our country as a whole.' Key national military initiatives happen right in Madison County, making the area one of the largest armed forces populations in the state. 'When they need something, they call area code 256,' Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Military Affairs Committee Chair and Retired U.S. Army Major General Jim Myles said. 'The sacrifices and also what we do to protect our country is a national treasure.' Because of that large population, county officials find it fitting and necessary to hold two weeks full of events in their honor and to thank them. 'You're not a patient, you're a resident': State veteran-only nursing home provides resources, benefits 'Now we have this event where we're recognizing people on the Arsenal that are doing so much for our country,' Myles said. 'And it's about the community saying 'we know who you are and we appreciate who you are'.' U.S. Army Major General and U.S. Army Materiel Command Chief of Staff Kevin Meisler said those community connections are what encourage them and keep them going. 'When you have the support of the community around you, it makes you energized,' Meisler said. 'It gets you out there. You feel like 'hey, I could do anything'…I've never been to a community that's been more military-friendly in the entire world. I'm honestly truly honored to live in this area.' County leaders planned a plethora of events, catering to a wide range of interests and community involvement spanning the two-week period. MONDAY, June 2: Proclamation Signing, Veterans Memorial, 8 a.m. WEDNESDAY, June 4: Armed Forces Celebration Luncheon, VBC Saturn Ballroom, 12 p.m. THURSDAY, June 5: Team Redstone vs. Community Leaders Softball Game, Toyota Field, 6 p.m. THURSDAY, June 5: Business After Hours at Softball Game, Toyota Field, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. FRIDAY, June 6: Military Appreciation Night at Huntsville City FC, Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, game starts at 7 p.m. SATURDAY, June 7: U.S. Army Birthday Celebration, Redstone Gateway, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. MONDAY, June 9: Concert in the Park and Fireworks, Big Spring Park, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. THURSDAY, June 12: Department of the Army Civilian Dinner, Jackson Center, 6 p.m. SATURDAY, June 14: AUSA Army 250th Birthday Ball, U.S. Space & Rocket Center Davidson Center, 6 p.m. While the county has hosted the Armed Forces Celebration for several years, it falls on the Army's 250th birthday during this year's events. Myles encourages everyone in the area to attend the events and celebrate alongside the Armed Forces personnel over the two weeks. 'It's not just coming out and saying, 'Thank you for your service, we appreciate it,'' Myles said. 'It's about coming and bringing your lawn chairs and sitting down in Big Spring Park, watching the music, and then watching the fireworks. Watch people jump out of airplanes and parachutes. And, it's about watching community leaders try to play softball against other people, trying to beat them a little bit, but having fun; recognizing all of us coming together.' For more details on the events or how to register, visit the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Madison City Administrator Steve Smith set to announce candidacy for Mayor
MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — Madison City Administrator Steve Smith will announce his candidacy to run for the Mayor of Madison on Tuesday. Smith will make the announcement in front of Madison City Hall located at 100 Hughes Road at 11 a.m. Tuesday. 'As Madison's City Administrator, I have worked alongside Mayor Paul Finley to guide Madison to new heights. As your mayor, I will continue to bring steady leadership to keep Madison moving forward,' said Smith. 'As Mayor, I will be focused on solving the issues that matter most to our residents. Thatmeans relieving traffic congestion by securing funding for better roads, supporting ourpolice and fire departments to keep our neighborhoods safe, and protecting the revenueour schools rely on. I will put a stop to special interest groups exerting undue influence overMadison—such as the group responsible for costing the city over $20,000 on a failedelection to hire a City Manager. Serving the people of Madison will be my only priority.' Smith is a 31-year Madison resident, current Madison City Administrator under Mayor PaulFinley, and a former two-term City Councilman where he served a Finance Chair and CityCouncil President. Steve was a small business owner, and a communityvolunteer for over 25 years, Smith has served on numerous committees, boards, and PTAgroups as well. Mayor Paul Finley is not running for re-election. Election Day is set for Tuesday, August 26. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Madison city leaders hold ribbon cutting for new Sunshine Oaks Park
MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — The City of Madison held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Sunshine Oaks Park on Thursday. The park is a newly developed 40-acre recreational space designed to enhance community engagement. It's next to Bradford Creek Greenway and features a large playground, three pavilions, a full bathroom facility, a 70+ space parking lot and an 18-hole championship disc golf course. 'It's a full-fledged disc golf course,' Madison Mayor Paul Finley said. 'You can see the three pavilions playground connected to the Bradford Creek Greenway. It's exciting for our city to have more park space. Dead in the middle of Madison, Alabama, this property became available. It was a horse farm that was run by the powers family.' City officials hope the park will provide diverse outdoor activities. 'Sunshine Oaks was a rare opportunity in the heart of Madison to keep green space useable for Parks and Recreation activities. These 40 acres, along with our new Madison Community Center's 30 acres, are key components in enhancing our community's quality of life,' Finley said. For more information on the facility, you can download the Madison Parks and Recreation app on both iPhone and Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Fire Station construction, Public Safety Annex renovations underway at Town Madison
MADISON, Ala. (WHNT) — There was another groundbreaking in Madison Monday morning, this time with an eye on public safety in the Town Madison development. Dirt was moved on the lot that will hold a 38,000-square-foot substation for the Madison Police Department and Fire & Rescue. This is a new project city leaders say will add to first responding capabilities. Toyota Field set to host 35 High School and College Baseball, Softball Games this spring 'Which in turn helps our insurance rates stay low and our safety and our time frames to help get to our citizens low,' said Mayor Paul Finley. 'And it helps our police to be able to make sure in this area that's grown so dramatically that we have a proper police presence.' More than $500,000 in state and federal funds were used to complete this project. The Public Safety Annex on Business Park Boulevard will include a new Fire Station 4 and renovations to house specialized departments from MPD currently in City new fire station will accommodate the Fire Marshalls Office, the City Emergency Manager and Fire Inspectors. Deputy Chief Brandy Williams noted the adequate space for training, a struggle at current locations. Athens Rotary Club to participate in international grant for clean water 'This building allows us to not only spread out with training but allows us to spread out some of our administrative personnel so they're not sharing offices anymore. The training part of it allows us multiple training rooms whereas we're limited to one training room right this minute,' Williams Finley told News 19 that one benefit to having a fire station is a drop in insurance rates for those living in and around Town Madison. 'One of the things when it comes to your insurance rates is response time. This fire station in this location helps us make sure that we continue to keep Madison resident's insurance rates as low as we can,' Finley said. While renovations on the existing office space at the annex are expected to be complete this summer, the construction of Fire Station 4 is predicted to last until the spring of 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
