In the running

Later this month, Mountain Brook will have a change in leadership. The terms of three city leaders expire this year, and only one of them is seeking re-election. 

Current Council President Virginia Smith, this election cycle’s lone incumbent, will have no opposition in the upcoming Aug. 23 municipal election. Smith, who has served as a council member since 2000 and council president since 2008, will therefore once again serve a 4-year term in Place 4. 

The competition is a bit more crowded in this election cycle’s other city council race — Place 2. For the first time in nearly a decade, retired Judge Jack Carl will not seek reelection. When the qualifying period ended at 5 p.m. July 19, three Mountain Brook residents had qualified to run. Architect Phil Black and attorneys Vincent J. Schilleci, III and Tripp Watson are all vying for the Place 2 position. 

Black, president and CEO of Simonton Swaika Black Architects, has been a Mountain Brook resident for 32 years. Asked what his main campaign issues are, Black said he is particularly interested in “supporting our excellent school system in its mission of providing a high quality and engaging education for our children.”

Schilleci, who first moved to Mountain Brook in 2007, is currently a shareholder with Dominick Feld Hyde, PC, where he focuses on advising privately held and family owned businesses in corporate law, tax law, real estate and estate planning matters.

Asked why he is running, Schilleci said the quote “To lead is to serve” has always shaped his professional and civic career.

Watson, who opened his own law practice — The Watson Firm — five years ago, provides legal advice and business consulting to people who started their own businesses.

Tripp said he believes Mountain Brook is a “pretty well-run town” already.

 “I just want to do my small part to help this city remain successful,” he said. 

In June, Mayor Terry Oden announced he would not seek re-election after serving for 24 years in elected office. Stewart Welch III, a local wealth management and certified financial planner, is running unopposed this election cycle in the city’s mayoral race. Welch, who was born and raised in Mountain Brook, said he is confident Mountain Brook’s team of leaders will guide the city through any challenges.

Voters must register by Aug. 8 and regular absentee ballots must be applied for by Aug. 18. Contact the Jefferson County Board of Registrars at 325-5550 for voter registration information.

WHO

- Stewart Welch III

Office/place you are seeking: Mayor, City of Mountain Brook

Why are you running? My goal: Keep Mountain Brook great! By virtually any metric: quality of our city leaders, city finances, school system, police and fire departments, library, Chamber of Commerce, quality of city employees, businesses located within the city limits and the residents, the city of Mountain Brook would receive tops scores! 

My job is, “Don’t mess it up!” while focusing on “continuous improvement.” 

With my background as a business owner, I hope to work closely with our business community to help each business excel. 

Having been born and raised in Mountain Brook, I know a lot of its citizens and the ones I don’t know, I look forward to meeting!

Political experience: Never.

Contact: None.

- Virginia Carruthers Smith

Office/place you are seeking: City Council, Seat 4

Why are you running? I am running again because I enjoy working for the City and the residents of it.

Main campaign issues: To continue to make sure the city is run in a manner that furthers the goals of its residents: safe, beautiful, thriving businesses, excellent school system, wonderful park space, debt free and backdoor garbage! Traffic is always an issue and parking can be also. 

We will continue to adjust to make sure both traffic and parking problems do not increase to a level that deters residents and visitors. Continue to improve our green spaces and all five villages. Continue to expand out sidewalk system.  

Political experience: I have held this Council Member position since 2000 and been President of the City Council since 2008.

Contact: None. 

- Philip (Phil) E. Black

Office/place you are seeking: Mountain Brook City Council, Seat 2

Why are you running? I look forward to working with the other members of the council and our new Mayor to continue to improve the quality of living in Mountain Brook. I look forward to the completion of Lane Parke and the next phases of that development. I am particularly interested in supporting our excellent school system in its mission of providing a high quality and engaging education for our children. I believe our school system is truly the crown jewel of our city.

Main campaign issues: Because Mountain Brook is essentially a land-locked municipality, with little available land for growth in either the commercial or residential areas, the focus of the city government should be to assist with the continued improvement of amenities and infrastructure in our commercial areas; attracting and retaining high quality businesses. Also, our beautifully livable neighborhoods should continue to be protected from speculative over-building and unwanted density by careful use of the existing developmental ordinances and by keeping the city’s carefully crafted village master plan updated and relevant. 

Both of these efforts require a high level of public input, and the legacy of participation from our citizens will continue to be essential in creating a lasting vision for our city.

Political experience: Although I have been active in public service, I have never run for a political office.

Contact: facebook.com/Phil-Black-for-Mountain-Brook-City-Council-1770235649923230/

- Vincent J. Schilleci III 

Office/place you are seeking: Mountain Brook City Council, Seat 2

Why are you running? To lead is to serve.  I first read this quote when I was in high school, and it has shaped my professional and civic career.  Mountain Brook is the benchmark by which all other communities in the state, the Southeast, and the nation are measured. It would be an honor to serve our community on the City Council, and help our city continue to set the standard.

Main campaign issues: Public Safety:  We are blessed to have the top police force in the State of Alabama under Chief Ted Cook.  Even with such a superb police force, our community is not immune from crime. I will work to make certain that Chief Cook has the resources needed to combat crime in our community, specifically to deter property crimes in our community (especially around the holiday season) and the growing number of cyber-crimes and identity thefts in our community (particularly with our senior neighbors).

Parks and Recreation:  We are all proud of Mountain Brook’s amazing parks, trails and green spaces, including the Jemison Trail, the Irondale Furnace Trail, Overton Park, and the new Cahaba River Park.  In addition, we are fortunate that our  fantastic city walkway and sidewalks connect many of the neighborhoods in our community.  I will work to ensure that the city’s parks, green spaces, walkways and trails are maintained to the highest degree, and will work within our community to find other opportunities for new and unique public spaces.  In addition, I will work with our city leaders, consultants, residents and business community to make sure that our city continues to move forward in completing its Walkway Master Plan.

Economic Development: Although we have a smaller commercial base then some of our neighboring communities, Mountain Brook’s businesses are special, unique and a real asset to the community.  They provide much needed revenue to keep our city moving forward.  I will work with our city’s businesses and listen to their issues and concerns to make sure they continue to be active members of  our community.  In addition, I will help our community to continue to attract new businesses that fit within Mountain Brook’s master plan. 

Traffic:  Like all cities of its size, Mountain Brook faces challenges when it comes to traffic issues.  Traffic concerns such as traffic congestion and parking issues around Lane Park tend to stay at the top of most residents’ and business owners’ list of concerns.  I will work with our city leaders and consultants to look for efficient, realistic and sensible solutions to alleviate traffic concerns for all problem traffic areas in our community. 

Political experience: This is my first run for political office.

Contact: Web: vinceschilleci.com; Facebook: facebook.com/vschilleci

- Tripp Watson

Office/place you are seeking: Mountain Brook City Council, Seat 2

Why are you running? Frankly, Mountain Brook is a pretty well-run town. We don’t have the same issues other cities might experience, which is a good thing. I’m not running to tout any big agenda, I just want to do my small part to help this city remain successful.

Main campaign issues: The only issue that I am really passionate about is sidewalks. Mountain Brook remains a uniquely walkable city, but many of the city’s busiest roads still do not have a safe space to walk or jog along without dodging traffic. I would like to see more sidewalks.

Political experience: Nope. As a matter of fact, I swore I’d never run for office after studying politics in college. I figured this was a great way for me to help my community without having to be a real politician.

Contact: The official campaign website is on Facebook at facebook.com/trippwatson4citycouncil/

More information about me can be found at birminghambusinesslaw.com/about-the-watson-firm/tripp-watson/

WHEN

Aug. 8- Last day to register to vote for the municipal election

Aug. 18- Last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot, available from the city clerk.

Aug. 22- Last day to apply for an emergency absentee ballot. Absentee ballots must be hand-delivered by end of business day Aug. 22, or postmarked Aug. 22 and received by noon Aug. 23.

Aug. 23- Election day

HOW

Registering to vote:

• First time:  Applicants who are registering to vote for the first time must complete a State of Alabama Voter Registration Form and submit it to the county where they live. The applicant must provide a physical address — not a P.O. box — as well as their date of birth and an original signature. A State of Alabama Voter Registration Card will be mailed to the voter, and that will show the voter’s polling location.
• Finding forms:  Voter registration forms can be found at the office of the Board of Registrars, satellite licensing offices and public libraries. 
• Verifying information:  Voters who are already registered to vote should make sure their information, including name and address if there has been a recent change, is up to date. Voter registration does not transfer between counties even within the same state, and any voters who have moved into Jefferson County will have to complete a new registration. Name changes and changes of address within the county must be made in writing and forwarded to the board of registrars. Voters can check that they are registered to vote by entering their last name, county and date of birth at alabamavotes.gov.
• Qualifications:  To vote in a municipal election, a voter must live in the city for 30 days before registering to vote. Applications sent by mail should be postmarked before Aug. 8 and sent directly to the board of registrars.

WHERE

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the locations marked above.

Beginning with the Aug. 23 general city election, the Locksley Fire Station polling location will be reassigned to Mountain Brook Community Church located at the intersection of U.S. 280 and Cahaba River Road. The Locksley polling location, according to the city’s newsletter, was less than ideal due to access, parking and exposure to the elements. Voters assigned to this precinct will vote at Mountain Brook Community Church, 3001 U.S. 280. 

All registered and qualified electors of the state, according to the city’s election notice, who reside within the corporate limits of Mountain Brook and who are qualified to vote in the county precinct, will be authorized to participate in the election. 

• City Hall (Precinct 46, Box 9), 56 Church Street, 35213
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (Precinct 46, Box 8), 3736 Montrose Road, 35213
• Cherokee Bend Elementary (Precinct 45, Box 2), 4400 Fair Oaks Drive, 35223
• Mountain Brook Elementary (Precinct 46, Box 7), 3020 Cambridge Road, 35223
• Mountain Brook Community Church (Precinct 48, Box 4), 3001 U.S. Highway 280
• Brookwood Baptist Church (Precinct 48, Box 6), 3449 Overton Road, 35223