BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER
HGOLDFINGER@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
SMITHS STATION —
Tuesday night, Richard “Rick” Cooley, formerly Place 4 Smiths Station City Council Member, stepped into the role of Mayor of Smiths Station.
Place 2 Council Member Morris Jackson was serving as mayor pro tem since Former Mayor Bubba Copeland’s death on Nov. 3.
“This is a meeting that none of us have looked forward to … but it’s something that has to be done to carry on,” Jackson said. “… Rest assured the city council and mayor will do what the city has to do with the best interest. There will no doubt be some rough roads ahead, we will take it one day at a time.”
Legally, it is the councils job to appoint the mayor in a situation like this where a term is unfinished, said City Attorney Allen Martin.
“Alabama law specifically states that the council shall fill the vacancy and elect the person,” he said.
At the end of the term, which is in 2025, Cooley can then run for his next term as normal if he desires.
The vote for Cooley was unanimous by the council. He was sworn in by Judge Jeff Tickal.
“First of all, let me express my appreciation to the city council … I will do my best to live up to the expectations and serve the citizens with honor, integrity and pride,” Cooley said. “I ask that our citizens be patient and give us the opportunity to adjust to our new roles and the task before us. May God bless Smiths Station and may God bless America.”
Cooley’s former seat, Place 4, is now empty.
He said that applications from citizens will be reviewed and the council will then appoint the new member. Applications will be accepted until Nov. 28.
“We hope to have that position very shortly so we will have a full council,” he said.
OTHER BUSINESS:
- The council amended a previous resolution to correct the physical address of the Public Works Department to determine the location of the James W. Anderson Memorial Parkway.