The Tribune
TRUSSVILLE • ARGO • MOODY • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • SPRINGVILLE LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO SPRINGVILLE • TRUSSVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • TRUSSVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • PINSON CLAY CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO • SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON·CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • ARGO SPRINGVILLE • LEEDS • MOODY • TRUSSVILLE • PINSON • CENTER POINT TRUSSVILLE • ARGO • MOODY • PINSON • CLAY • CENTER POINT • SPRINGVILLE
By Crystal McGough Editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Schools Board of Education met for its regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 12, 2022, where Superintendent Dr. Patrick See BOE, Page 3
Rick Hopkins sworn in as member of Argo City Council By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
ARGO – The Argo City Council met for the first regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday night, June 11. The first order of business in the regular meeting, which began immediately following the 5 p.m. work See ARGO, Page 5
Trussville Police Department releases informational flyer for new entertainment district ordinance From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE – A new flyer was released by the Trussville Police Department (TPD) that breaks down the See ORDINANCE, Page 3
Ferus to host Wish Fest at the Trussville Entertainment District By Chase Holmes News Reporter
TRUSSVILLE — Ferus Artisan Ales is set to host Make-a-Wish’s Wish Fest at the Trussville Entertainment District on Friday, June 16. The event is kid friendly and families are invited to See WISHFEST, Page 4
Inside the Tribune
FRI
SAT
SUN MON
TUE
80 66
82 66
89 67
90 70
87 70
85 69
86 69
71%
71%
24%
24%
58%
58%
51%
Irondale Cornhole Tournament
Praying for Gray
Page 15
Page 6
www.TrussvilleTribune.com
June 14 - 20
Superintendent Martin gives update on HTHS principal search at BOE meeting
WED THU
2023
New state law paves way for Trussville to leave Jefferson County Personnel Board By Scott Buttram Publisher
MONTGOMERY — Just over two years after a Jefferson County judge shot down Trussville’s effort to form the city’s own personnel board, the Alabama state legislature paved the way for the city’s departure from the Jefferson County Personnel Board (JCPB). A bill signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey on Monday opens the door for the City of Trussville to leave the JCPB and start their own civil service system. The move still requires the approval of the Trussville City Council. Trussville officials began exploring their options for leaving the Jefferson County Personnel Board in 2018. When an attempt at an amicable departure failed, the city turned to the Alabama Legislature. Jefferson County Circuit Judge Pat Ballard ruled on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, that the city of Trussville does
Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat and City Attorney Rick Stotser. (Photo by Hannah Curran)
not have the right to leave the JCPB and form its own board. The depositions in that case included multiple reasons from city officials outlining the problems that arise when working through the JCBP. In court documents, Trussville Director of Human Resources Mandy Dixon said the JCPB hiring process is un-
clear and limits the talent pool when the city is in need of hiring for various positions. She also said the process for offering promotions to existing employees is often made difficult and can take up to two years. Trussville Fire Chief Tim Shotts also complained in a court filing saying that the Board made promotions and hiring difficult.
“We want the best candidate, not the least common denominator,” Shotts stated. Police Chief Eric Rush said in an affidavit that issues regarding the personnel board are “numerous.” “The inadequacies of the board hinder my ability to do my job to the standard that is representative of the City of Trussville,” Rush stated. Rush said the recruitment of qualified police officers has been an issue. In fact, he said the board has sent him candidates that have outstanding warrants for their arrest or felony convictions that prevent them from carrying a firearm. When asked about that complaint during a deposition, JCPB Director Lorren Oliver said the board does not have the ability to search for the criminal history of applicants through the NCIC (National Crime Information Center). He said that each police department is responsible for doing so before hiring.
Irondale denies zoning change for local business By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
IRONDALE – The Irondale City Council returned to consider unfinished business from May during the first regular meeting of the month, Tuesday night, June 6. At the May 16 meeting, Irondale residents who live near a property being considered for rezoning turned out in force See IRONDALE, Page 5
Moody Council hears May reports from department heads By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
MOODY – The Moody City Council met briefly on Monday, June 12, where they heard reports from department heads for the month of May. Police Chief Reece Smith reported $4,448.56 spent on
See LAW, Page 3
See MOODY, Page 5
Open house Trussville Council recognizes held for newly constructed establishment, appointment of St. Clair County Jail first Trussville Police Deputy Chief By Crystal McGough Editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council recognized the promotion of Police Capt. David Morrette to the position of Deputy Chief at the council’s regular meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. The Deputy Chief position was recently created and Morrette is the first to hold this title in the city of Trussville. “The police department continues to grow, and along with that growth comes the need for new positions and new responsibilities,” Police Chief Eric Rush said. “With this being a new position, I first want to thank the mayor and city council for allowing me to create this position and fill it. … The Deputy Chief role is one that is right under me; reports directly to me. We’ve never had one in Trussville, so Capt. Morrette will be the first Deputy Chief in the Trussville Police De-
Deputy Chief David Morrette and Chief Eric Rush (Photo by Crystal McGough)
partment ever. He will always have that distinction.” Additionally, the council recognized firefighter Evan
MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE
News - Pages 1-7 Opinion - Page 8 Lifestyle - Page 9 Outdoors - Page 10 Calendar - Page 11 Classified - Page 11 Obituary - Page 12 Sports - Pages 13-16
Massey on his promotion to Fire Lieutenant. Massey was not present at the meeting. “Firefighter/paramedic
Evan Massey has been promoted to Fire Lieutenant,” Councilor Alan Taylor said. “When we see him, we want to make sure that we congratulate him. That’s, again, well deserved. Evan does a great job for our city.” The council also approved a proclamation honoring the 7A State Softball Champion HTHS Huskies. “We really appreciate you guys recognizing us and recognizing the girls for their hard work,” Coach Taylor Burt said. “That’s definitely why we’re sitting here, because they work extremely, extremely hard.” Under the consent agenda, the council unanimously approved a single item, a business development agreement with Steel Hall Brewing. During the pre-council workshop, Councilor Ben Short explained the agreement in more detail. “If y’all recall, it’s been a little bit of time now, Steel See TRUSSVILLE, Page 6
By Chase Holmes News Reporter
ST. CLAIR COUNTY – The St. Clair County Commission hosted an open house for the St. Clair County Jail on June 8, 2023. The St. Clair County Jail will be around 54,000-squareSee JAIL, Page 4
Springville Parks and Recreation announces catch and release rule for ponds at Big Springs Park By Chase Holmes News Reporter
SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Parks and Recreation department has announced that a “catch and reSee SPRINGVILLE, Page 4
Robin’s Sewing Shoppe www.robinshoppe.com 5886 Trussville Crossings Blvd 205.655.3388
• NOW OPEN •
- Fabric - Machines - Classes - Demos
Service & Maintenance • Lift Kits • Accessories 3620 Vann Rd Birmingham
205-661-3828