BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
SMITHS STATION —
Smiths Station City Clerk Morgan Bryce is stepping down from his role and welcoming in the new City Clerk Cyndi Farmer.
Farmer will enter the position in an interim role for two months before being asked to take the role permanently.
Bryce worked for the city for more than three years, first as the city’s administrative assistant and assistant communications director, before assuming the city clerk-secretary-treasurer position.
Bryce announced before the council meeting that he was leaving to pursue a position in communications elsewhere. He will now be working as the business’ communications manager for a business in Georgia.
“I’ve accepted a job, corporate communications role with a company in Columbus, Georgia, so I’ll be getting back to my roots in writing so tonight will be my last meeting,” Bryce said. “And I just want to thank you all for taking the chance on a 28-year-old kid with a journalism degree from Auburn University to do this position. It’s been a lot of fun.
“I didn’t know anything about fence permits or zoning ordinances or anything before I came here and I’ve learned an awful lot, not just about government but how to treat people and how to interact with people … And I believe that even though the state and federal government gets a bad rap, I think if people spent a day with us and saw what y’all do in our meetings and all that, they’d have a lot better appreciation for municipal government. As a whole, I think municipal government has an amazing ability to make a difference in people’s lives.
“And I feel that as in my time here I’ve made a difference and that’s helped me go to sleep every night. So I’m proud of what we’ve been able to do and I think Ms. Farmer here will have a chance to continue that into the future.”
Smiths Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland spoke highly of Bryce during the meeting.
“I’d like to say, as the mayor, I can’t think of a better person [to have served] as our third city clerk for the city of Smiths Station,” he said. “I appreciate your heart, I appreciate your kindness, I appreciate what you’ve done. You’ve gone above and beyond as the city clerk and [you’re] probably one of the smartest people I’ve ever met.”
He wished Bryce well for his future.
“I’d like to personally thank Morgan Bryce for his years of serving the city of Smiths Station,” Copeland said. “I’d like to thank you for being my friend, my mentor, my partner in crime, my headache, but I thank you so very much.”
Place 2 Council Member Morris Jackson said that Bryce was a great help.
“He was always able to work and get the job done, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. “… His attitude toward the job — I pick up on stuff like that real quick — it’s been superb and we couldn’t ask for any other that would come in and do this as well.”
Place 1 Council Member George Stringer said he thinks Bryce would make a mentor for those in the younger generation.
Place 4 Council Member Richard “Rick” Cooley said Bryce was an asset to the council and community.
“We thank you for all your hard work,” he said.
Place 5 Council Member Victoria Green said to Bryce that she “can’t wait to watch and see your next adventure, I think it will be great for you and your family. We do miss you though.”
The council unanimously appointed Farmer during the Aug. 22 Smiths Station City Council meeting.
Bryce trained Farmer to step into the position.
“She has soaked up everything like a sponge and I think she’ll be able to help,” he said.
Farmer said she has lived in the area for close to 30 years. She is married and a mother of four who has been in real estate for 17 years.
“Kind of had this opportunity and kind been praying on something different to come along and it came and I feel like it’s something that I need to do, I want to do and I can do,” she said. “I feel like I’ll do well.”
Farmer said she is looking forward to the new job with the city of Smiths Station.
“We’re looking forward to Ms. Farmer to come in and not even skip a beat, just keep this thing rolling,” Jackson said.
OTHER BUSINESS
– The council approved a one-time lump sum payment to retired members and beneficiaries of the city of Smiths Station
– The council approved the Rebuild Alabama Transportation Plan FY 2023-2024.