Welcome Mike Myers, Ward 1
We talked to the newly elected Ward 1 City Councilor Mike Myers about priorities for his first Council term. Myers won the September 23rd runoff election and takes office on November 3rd.
Alabaster Connection: How long have you lived in Alabaster, and what brought you here?
Mike Myers: We moved to Alabaster in 2007—my wife Kim and I and our first child Carson. I worked in the banking and finance sector and moved to the Birmingham area for a job with a local financial institution. I grew up in Millbrook and graduated from Stanhope Elmore High School and Troy University (then Troy State) where I met my wife.
AC: What made you decide to run for City Council, and what were your main campaign issues?
MM: My family lives in the Weatherly neighborhood, and Sophie Martin is a Weatherly neighbor who I’d known since moving to Alabaster. I knew that we were going to have a City Council seat coming available this year for the first time in 17 years, and after serving 13 years on the HOA board, it was something that interested me. I started going to meetings in March to see how the Council meetings and work sessions went, and after seeing everything and getting support from my local neighborhood, I decided to give it a run.
The biggest issue for me is traffic solutions for Highway 11, which becomes Simmsville Road. We have a new development called Peavine Crossings with 146 homes coming in. We have to find some traffic solutions for that road with as many cars as we have traveling through there daily. The second thing would the business and activity expansion in Ward 1. We have so much growth in Ward 1 right now with the District 31 development, two hotels opening, the new neighborhood, and continued annexation going all the way out to Saddle Lake Farms. There is also a possibility of apartment complexes that are under discussion. So, a lot of working on managing the growth we have going on in Ward 1. I also have a passion for the Alabaster Downtown Redevelopment Authority, and trying to expand the reach of the ADRA has been big for me. We’ve done 20-plus businesses to the tune of about a quarter of a million dollars helping small businesses get started. And also, youth and sports advocacy—continuing to invest in youth sports and activities for the teenagers in our community.
AC: What leadership roles have you held since moving to Alabaster?
MM: I have served as the chair of the ADRA since its inception in 2023. I have served on the Weatherly HOA Board for 13 years, with six years as president, and I’m the current treasurer. I served on the Parks & Rec Board from 2017-2020, and I am a graduate of the very first Alabaster Government Academy class. I’ve also been a youth baseball and flag football coach.
AC: What projects are you excited to see come to fruition or new projects that you want to see accomplished during your term?
MM: Number one is traffic solutions for Highway 11 and the revitalization efforts along Highway 11. We need to continue to address vacant structure on that road. There’s so much that can be done that will directly affect Ward 1. Continuing the infrastructure growth for District 31 is going to be important and the possibility of relocating the fire station from Highway 31 to Highway 11. The biggest thing is managing that growth. Also, the need for senior living—there is a lot of property off Alabaster Boulevard across from Westwood that might be a possibility for that.
AC: Tell me about your day job and your family.
MM: I was in the banking and finance sector for 17 years, and for the last 10 years I’ve been in the public sector working for the Alabama State Treasurer’s office in Montgomery. I’m the Director of Unclaimed Property, and I really enjoy what I do. When you get a call from my office, it’s a good day because we’re trying to give you back money. We average between $40-$50 million paid out each year.
My oldest child, Carson, is a senior at University of South Alabama, and Ethan is a junior at Thompson. My wife of 24 years Kim is the one who keeps everything running.
I’m looking forward to taking office on November 3rd and excited to get started. I have a good relationships with existing council members and think it should be a pretty seamless fit.
Message from Sophie Martin
For the last 17 years, I have had the distinct honor to serve Ward 1 residents and the City of Alabaster. It is with profound gratitude and appreciation that I made the decision earlier this year not to seek reelection at the end of my current term.
When I was elected in 2008, my goal was to “Build a Better Community.” My hope was to work for the good and leave Ward 1 and Alabaster a better place than how I found it. I take great pride knowing we’ve accomplished that and so much more.
I am beyond proud of what we’ve accomplished during my time on city council: launching our own city school system; building a new city hall, senior center, and police station; enhancing our city parks including historical Abby Wooley Park off Simmsville Road. Our residents’ safety and well-being remain a priority. I’m proud that we have demolished almost 20 unsafe structures, added new lighting along Highway 11, and repaired many of our streets including the complete repaving of Alabaster Boulevard. None of this would have been possible without the support of my fellow council members, Mayor Brakefield, our city administrator, Brian Binzer, our city department heads and staff, and those who I served with previously.
While these accomplishments are significant, the most rewarding part of serving has been the opportunity to build bridges and forming unexpected friendships that changed the dynamics in Ward 1. Thank you to former councilmember Bobby Harris, Pastor Danita Ryan, Pastor Gerry Bivins, and all the Ward 1 pastors who truly made a difference in my life and leadership. I’m so proud of how far we’ve come by breaking down barriers and working together to lift others up and help those facing adversity. “Jesus Works.”
To my family, thank you for going on this fantastic journey with me—I could not have done this without your support. Hope, Molly, and Katie Jane—I hope you’ve learned that you can put yourself out there, work hard to help others, and truly make a difference in this world. I love you all!
To the residents of Ward 1, thank you for allowing me to be your council representative. I am excited to see the progress continue and what lies ahead for Ward 1 and our great city!
- Major street repaving project launched in September starting in Ward 1. Fifth Avenue SE, Goldwire Circle, Buttercup Circle, Treymoor Drive, and Glen Abbey Lane were repaved.
- The city council approved a feasibility study in partnership with the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to explore the potential installation of sidewalks along County Road 11/Simmsville Road. Should the project advance, it would significantly enhance pedestrian safety for our residents who walk this route daily.