By Michael Butler

There is something odd about the upcoming Tallassee Municipal Election. It is actually happening on an odd-numbered year.

Previous elections for city officials have been on presidential cycles. In 2021, Gov. Kay Ivey enacted legislation to change that adding an additional year to the terms of current administrations.

The Alabama League of Municipalities noted at the time of the decision that the change was “to avoid constitutional issues.”

Here in Tallassee, municipal elections were separate from presidential elections, although in the same year. This year’s city election will be on Aug. 26.

There will be three contested races. The race for mayor will include current mayor Sarah Hill and Joey Wiginton on the ballot.

Councilman Terrel Brown has opposition for his Ward 5 seat from Jeffery Wilcox. Brown is seeking his fourth term having served since 2012.

There will be a new council representative in Ward 6, either Rosemary Glass or Sarah Jones, as Bill Godwin is not seeking re-election. Godwin has served on the council since 2008, the longest tenure among the current council.

“You know when it’s time to move aside,” Godwin said. “I’m very proud that we’ve put Tallassee into the 21st century. We’re on stable ground financially. I think Tallassee is ready to explode.”

Ward 1 councilman Jeremy Taunton has served since 2016 but chose not to seek a third term. Carpenter Easterling will assume Taunton’s seat as a newcomer to the council.

In addition to Easterling and the to-be-determined contested races, the other unopposed council seats will belong to four incumbents: Linda Mosher (Ward 2), Damian Carr (Ward 3), Bill Hall (Ward 4) and Fred Randall Hughey (Ward 7).

The makeup of the school board will be much different for the next term. Only two members are remaining on the board, Heather Hawkins (Ward 6) and board president Melanie Goodman (Ward 5). April Warren, Sonja Moore, Steve Burak, Don Bryant and Ruthanne McCaig will all be stepping down from their volunteer positions. McCaig has served since 2008.

“It’s been an honor to serve,” McCaig said. “As a teacher with 29 years of experience in Tallassee, I wanted to serve in a different manner and be a part of the school system that I have loved since I started here in 1976.”

In addition to Goodman and Hawkins, the remainder of the board will include Eric Watson (Ward 1), Heather Johnson (Ward 2), Brandi Clark (Ward 3), Nathan Bridgman (Ward 4) and Galerie Wilson (Ward 7).

The 2024 presidential race drew 2,325 voters. The 2020 race brought out 2,531. In comparison, the 2020 city primary had 1,171 voters. That number was down from the 2016 election with a turnout of 1,218. In 2008, the turnout was 1,505, the most for any city race this millennium.

2020 Election Totals

Mayor:
Johnny Hammock – 612
Danny Ingram – 350
John Stonaker – 209

City Council:
Ward 1:
Jeremy Taunton – 85
Tommy Gresham – 37

Ward 2:
Sarah Hill – 110
Matthew Miller – 81

Ward 3:
Damian Carr – 79
Jahazel Hooks – 47
Willie Smith – 20

Ward 4:
Bill Hall – 116
Darrell Wilson – 59

Ward 6:
Bill Godwin – 126
Michael Stough – 88

Ward 7:
Fred Randall Hughey – 113
David Stough – 96

Board of Education:
Ward 2:
Don Bryant – 140
A.J. Miller – 51

Ward 4:
Ruthanne McCaig – 90
Jeff Branch – 83

Ward 5:
Melanie Goodman – 58
Rex Ledbetter – 55

Ward 6:
Heather Miller – 111
Andy Coker – 103