Honesty, Humility and Service By Barry Wise Smith Mike Lee, the new principal of Thompson High School, has developed three core beliefs that have guided him during his 16-year administrative career. “Be honest, be humble, and serve others,” Lee says. “That’s who I am in my life and career.” Since Lee took the principal’s desk … Read More
How has your first year on the City Council gone? My first year has been truly amazing. This opportunity has allowed me to serve in a capacity that I would have never thought possible. I now see how vital a communicative and transparent team of not only council members but city administrators, employees, and Mayor … Read More
Hoyet Hodgens grew up in Chelsea where he still lives today with Arla, his wife of 25 years. They have four kids, Ellen, Christine, Lauren, and Will, and a grandbaby due in September. Hoyet started with the City of Alabaster over 28 years ago—his first job was working at the Parks and Recreation Department. He … Read More
Walk of Honor A portion of the new Alabaster Police Department grounds will be dedicated to honoring Alabaster’s former police chiefs. The Walk of Honor will be next to the department’s fountain, and will recognize the following individuals: William P. Hill (Chief of Police 1953-1956) O. O. Lee … Read More
Coast Guard Veteran Shannon Layton turned her trauma into support for others By Lori Culpepper After enduring the devastating effects of a hospital-acquired infection that occurred soon after joining the military, Shannon Layton started down a path to improve the quality of healthcare for veterans like herself. Layton is part of a home church group … Read More
Josh Tatum was born and raised in Alabaster. He owns Absolute Cleaning Solutions, which focuses on commercial and residential gutter cleaning, pressure/soft washing homes and surfaces, and window cleaning. Josh got into this business working part time for his uncle who owns a large-scale construction/residential cleaning business in Tuscaloosa. His vision of Absolute Cleaning started in … Read More
Jamie Cole serves Ward 5 Alabaster Connection: What are the most pressing issues facing your Ward 5 constituents right now? What’s top of your agenda for your Ward? Jamie: We’ve finished a couple of big projects to help relieve some of the stormwater issues that affected us in the historic flood of May 2021. While … Read More
City Spotlight By Lee Hurley Photo by Neal Wagner “If you contact City Hall and you get me, I’m going to do everything within my power to assist you, whether it’s regarding information within my department or not. If I don’t have the answer, I will find out the answer and get back to you.” … Read More
Greg Farrell Ward 4 Alabaster Connection: What items/projects included in the budget this year will directly affect Ward 4 residents? What are the most pressing issues facing your constituents? Greg Farrell: “After pausing the City’s annual paving projects last year, we allotted additional funding in order to be more aggressive with our paving projects—and that … Read More
Rosie Robinson Director of Courts For almost 30 years, Rosie Robinson has worked for the City of Alabaster. Starting out as a communications clerk for the Alabaster Water Board in 1995, Robinson was promoted to magistrate in 2000 and was named Director of Courts in December 2021. “I’ve seen a lot of growth in Alabaster,” Robinson … Read More
