Story and Photos by Emily Kirby
moc.liamgobfsctd@nvm.ybrikylime
VALLEY HEAD, Ala- Valley Head’s first female mayor was sworn in during the town’s meeting on Monday.
Karen Crawford Vest, who has served on the town council for several years, will serve as the town’s new leader, following the resignation of Mike E. Key on March 15.
Vest was joined by her children and grandchildren as she took the oath of office with DeKalb County Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn on Monday.
“I’m very honored to represent the Town of Valley Head, and I will do my very best to make it a better place to live,” Vest said.
The council also:
- approved the minutes from the last meeting.
- approved the minutes from the special called meeting on March 25, with clarification from then Councilwoman Vest. Vest said she made an error in the meeting, but called the Alabama Legue of Municipalities and verified that she did not have the authority in the previous meeting to make a motion to appoint a new mayor pro-tem. Adele Phillips will continue to sit as the mayor pro-tem until the next election in August 2025.
- welcomed Jay Skinner as the town’s new attorney.
- heard from Fire Chief Dustin Burt who requested the council look into providing fuel cards for easier access to diesel fuel for the fire trucks. Police Chief Brad Gregg said the police department already has an account with WEX, and the town can check if the account can provide cards for the fire department as well.
- approved to clear a council seat as vacant. The council will discuss candidates, and they hope fill the seat in May.
- approved to send Vest and Phillips as delegates to the ALM Convention May 15-18, with only one participating in the delegation voting.
- declared seats vacant on the Planning Commission and Zoning Board. The council hopes to also fill the board seats in May, and asks the public to reach out to city hall if they are interested.
- approved an advertisement in the Fort Payne Times-Journal Graduation Special Section for $254.
- encouraged the public to come and participate and volunteer at the Memories of Mayberry Festival coming up on Saturday, May 4, 2024. Look for a story in an upcoming edition of Mountain Valley News.
- announced the park bathrooms are now open, and the pavilion is available to rent for a $50 deposit that is reimbursed to the renter.
- announced the town’s annual Earth Day event in coordination with Valley Head School on Monday, April 22, 2024 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the park. Ducks for the rubber duck race can be purchased for $2 at Town Hall, and the winner of the race will receive $50. Vest also urged residents to please slow down while driving in front of the city park, not just during the Earth Day event, but year-round.
- discussed coming up with a solution to clearing leaves from the sides of roadways to help prevent flooding this spring.
- discussed road striping, which is set to be finished when there are enough “warm and dry days.”
- approved the financial report.
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