hen Vestavia Hills voters go to the polls on Aug. 26, they’ll find seven names on the ballot. At the top will be two-term incumbent Mayor Ashley Curry going up against challenger Richard Cheatwood, a former Vestavia Hills police officer.
Kimberly Cook, another two-term incumbent on the City Council, is facing competition from karate instructor Karl Julian. And three people — Brian DeMarco, Jacob Pugh and Michael Vercher — are battling for an open council seat vacated by Paul Head.
By TIM STEPHENS
The year was 1970. Sara Wuska was a self-described busybody — the kind of neighbor who organized the PTA, pushed bookmobiles into action and knew every kid on her street by name.
So when desegregation orders threatened to plunge Jefferson County schools into turmoil, she didn’t wait.
“I know you said you’d rather have a hole in your head than have a school system,” she remembered telling Robert Guillot, the mayor of Vestavia Hills. “But you see what’s going on.”
That call helped launch what became Vestavia Hills
City Schools — a system built in a moment of federal scrutiny, yet shaped with uncommon resolve.
On April 28, 1970, Vestavia Hills residents approved the property tax increase that would launch their own system. The largest turnout in the city’s history at that time produced a close vote — 1,625 yes, 1,404 no — but the result was met with urgency.
Days later, Wuska was one of five people appointed to the first school board on May 4, 1970. She was the only woman, and the youngest by decades.
Members of the VHHS Class of 2025 celebrate commencement in May, the latest to complete their education in a school system consistently ranked among the state’s best since its founding in
Photo by David Leong.
Realtor Melvin Upchurch saves sellers money
Melvin Upchurch is a veteran Birmingham real estate agent who provides top-quality personal service to all of his clients, both buyers and sellers. He has also earned hundreds of glowing reviews for his work.
In addition, sellers who work with Melvin save themselves thousands of dollars on each transaction — about $8,000 on average — thanks to his alternative commission pricing model. Melvin began using this innovative method in 2014 when he helped launch LIST Birmingham, a cutting-edge real estate agency that gives clients maximum value without sacrificing excellent service.
“We were one of the first locally owned companies to use an alternative listing commission model,” Melvin said. “We wanted to give homeowners an option to save thousands of dollars and keep more of their hard-earned equity.”
Since 2014, LIST Birmingham has sold over 1,400 homes and saved sellers millions in commissions, and Melvin takes a lot of satisfaction in his work with clients.
“It is always gratifying to help my clients sell their homes,” Melvin said. “It is particularly gratifying when I help someone save money that I know really needed the savings. I have helped lots of retired people put more money in their pockets — money that I know they needed.”
Not surprisingly, Melvin has many satisfied clients, including Chase and Ashley Bowers, who now live in Helena. Chase and Ashley have sold three homes with Melvin and used him as a buyer’s agent on two other homes.
Melvin’s unique alternative pricing business model has saved the couple over $65,000 in helping them sell homes in Homewood, Lake Wilborn in Hoover, and a lake home. “If we had not met Melvin and gotten to know him, we would have thought it was unbelievable, but we trusted him,” Chase and Ashley said.
Ashley emphasized the value they received: “The saying goes, ‘You get what you pay for.’ In Melvin’s case, you get way more than what you pay for. His business model is second to none and has saved us thousands over the course of several selling transactions,” she said.
Chase and Ashley met Melvin when they were visiting an open house, and Melvin was the listing agent. “He was extremely helpful throughout the entire process,” Chase and Ashley said. “We visited the property several times, and Melvin was consistently excellent to work with.”
Ashley added her perspective on what sets Melvin apart from others in the industry: “In a world of spotty customer service and client
“Melvin is amazing and the best agent we have seen. We highly recommend Melvin whether you’re buying or selling a home.”
- Chase and Ashley Bowers
care, Melvin brings standout professionalism, while also building genuine relationships with his clients. Obviously, yes, he is running a business, but he isn’t just in it for his own benefit. He truly wants to guide his clients in making the right decisions for their family.”
The Bowers live in the home that Melvin helped them purchase in their most recent transaction with him. “Melvin assisted us as a buyer's agent, and it was a highly complicated transaction with numerous obstacles,” Chase and Ashley said. “It took several weeks of constant communication between Melvin, the other agent and contractors.”
Ashley described Melvin’s responsiveness and character: “Melvin is honest, personable, and easy to talk to. He is a genuinely kind person.
As far as his expertise in the real estate world, he is top-notch. He is knowledgeable, handles transactions with care, and is willing to go the extra mile to help you find or sell your home. Even when Melvin was out of town traveling,
he always made an effort to connect with us and make sure we were taken care of. He never leaves you hanging and is always very responsive.”
Ashley also reflected on the complexity of their recent transaction: “Our last transaction with Melvin was quite involved and somewhat complicated. He never wavered and made sure he was on top of all things at all times, as well as anticipating the next step to keep the ball rolling forward.”
During this long process, the Bowers saw how dedicated and professional Melvin was. “He was always available even on nights, weekends and when he was on vacation,” they said. “Even the sellers of the home commented on how beneficial it was to have Melvin involved in the process. Melvin was patient throughout the process and, as always, helped us accomplish our goal.”
The Bowers have really enjoyed working with Melvin.
“He is full service and he went above and beyond to make sure everything was communicated properly on both sides and that all items were completed,” Chase and Ashley said. “He took on the selling of our property as if it were his own, and we felt like he truly cared about every detail. One of the greatest parts of his service is his process. He and his team communicate well, use up-to-date technology, anticipate your questions and are very responsive.”
“We have used several different real estate agents in the past for multiple transactions,” they said. “Melvin is amazing and the best agent we have seen. We highly recommend Melvin whether you are buying or selling a home.”
The response from his customers through the years has been “amazing,” said Melvin, who has more than 400 five-star reviews. “Honestly, it is extremely gratifying to receive five-star reviews. Time is valuable, so I am always so humbled when someone uses their precious time to write a review.”
LIST Birmingham has a commitment to quality service in serving its clients.
“We pride ourselves on fast response times, constant communication, being available to them and always having a smile in our voices,” Melvin said.
“It is gratifying when my clients express their appreciation,” Melvin said. “I love to hear the sentiment. ‘Melvin is the best agent I have ever had.’”
For more information about Melvin, go to melvinupchurchsells.com or soldbylist.com. Contact him by phone at 205-223-6192 or email melvin@listbirmingham.com.
ABOUT US
Editor’s Note By Jon Anderson
One of the most important things a city can do is choose its leaders. Leaders help determine the direction the city will go.
Every four years — five years in this case since the state changed the timing of the election cycle, Vestavia Hills residents get a chance to pick who they want leading the city as mayor and City Council members.
We hope our election guide in this edition is helpful in providing some information about the candidates who have expressed interest in serving the next four years so that you — the voters — can make wise choices on Aug. 26. We’ve got biographical information about each candidate and answers to
questions about issues facing the city. We’re also partnering with the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce to host an election forum on Aug. 19 at Vestavia Hills City Hall, and give you a chance to hear from candidates directly. We hope you can make it.
And, most importantly, don’t forget to vote on Aug. 26.
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By STAFF
A fun multimedia profile of a 76-year-old Vestavia Hills martial artist earned a second-place award for Creative Use of Multimedia for Vestavia Voice in the Alabama Press Association’s 2025 Alabama Media Awards.
The story about Elaine Beiersdoerfer by Savannah Schmidt, published in December, was recognized among the state’s best works of journalism at the APA’s summer conference and awards banquet at Perdido Beach Resort in June.
The award was one of eight earned by Schmidt, who captured honors in writing, photography and videography.
Schmidt captured first place in Creative Use of Multimedia for The Homewood Star with her video titled “I survived the Lakeshore Owl.” The written story about the owl that terrorized runners alongside the Lakeshore Trail in Homewood earned first place for Best Spot News.
She also earned photography, writing and videography awards for the Hoover Sun and Village Living in Mountain Brook.
Vestavia Voice community editor Jon Anderson also serves as the community editor for Hoover Sun, which dominated Division E with first-place victories for General Excellence, Best Public Service, Best Newspaper Website and more. In total, the Hoover Sun won 27 awards, including 14 first-place entries. The Hoover Sun also won the Advertising Sweepstakes award for best quality of advertising.
Sarah Owens, who serves as community editor for The Homewood Star and Village Living, captured first place for Best News Feature with her story of Mountain Brook shark attack victim Lulu Gribbin’s road to recovery. Owens, who earlier
ABOUT US
this year was named the state’s Emerging Journalist of the Year by the APA, also played a key role in a first-place award for Best Public Service for her lead article in a multi-story package titled “The power to save: Why talking about mental health matters.” Versions of the article appeared in all six Starnes Media publications, including Vestavia Voice, The Homewood Star, Village Living, 280 Living, Cahaba Sun and Hoover Sun. The entry was credited to Hoover Sun and shared with collaborators Jon Anderson and Taylor Bright.
Coverage of Vestavia Hills High School sports was part of the awards won by sports editor Kyle Parmley for Under the Lights, the magazine and podcast shared across all Starnes markets. The preseason magazine was named Best Niche Publication for both its editorial and advertising content, a sweep, and the podcast earned first place for Best Podcast. Parmley also won first place for Best Local Sports Column, which was entered under the Hoover Sun but also appeared in Vestavia Voice.
Another Starnes Media publication, 280 Living, won first place in the FOI-First Amendment category for Taylor Bright’s coverage of leadership and policy changes at the North Shelby Library. This year, 53 publications submitted 1,725 entries in the annual contest. The Michigan Press Association membership judged the entries.
2719 19th Place S . Downtown Homewood 205-879-7681 or 205-879-3433 sikesshoesandjacknjillshop sikesshoes.com
From left, Starnes Media’s Jon Anderson, Tim Stephens and Sarah Owens with some of the company’s awards at the Alabama Press Association convention in Orange Beach on June 28. Photo by Wendi Cambron.
Vestavia Hills goes back to school
New faces, new spaces, continued excellence greet students this fall
By EMILY REED
As summer winds down, Vestavia Hills students return to familiar halls — and brand-new spaces.
The 2025–26 school year begins Thursday, Aug. 7, for students in grades 6-12, and Friday, Aug. 8, for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Superintendent Todd Freeman, who in June was named Alabama’s Superintendent of the Year, credited the system’s enduring success to its foundation of community support and high standards.
“It’s most humbling to be recognized for something, but it’s also a reminder of how truly excellent our school system is – and has been for a long time,” Freeman told the school board at the time. “I’m a parent in this school system.
I get to benefit from it like we all do — a school system that has, since April 1970, been an outstanding school system.”
As students and families prepare to settle into a new school year, here’s a look at what’s new — and what’s next — in Vestavia Hills City Schools.
NEW RULES
One of the most significant changes this year comes from a new state law, adopted by the Vestavia Hills Board of Education in June, that prohibits students from keeping cellphones and other personal communication devices on their person during the school day.
Previously, Vestavia already prohibited K-8 students from using phones at school. The updated policy mostly affects high school students, who now must keep phones in lockers, vehicles or at home, rather than in pockets or backpacks.
“It’s a significant change that will require some adjustment,” Freeman said. “There’s a lot of evidence showing how beneficial this can be to the school environment — helping students remove distractions, improve communication skills and focus on learning.”
Elementary students who bring phones will continue to have a designated place in the classroom to store them. Exceptions remain for documented medical or special education needs.
NEW SPACES
At Vestavia Hills Elementary East, a summer construction project turned the school’s old cafeteria into three new classrooms and office spaces, including a permanent STEM room.
Principal Cindy Echols said the upgrades were necessary to keep pace with unexpected
enrollment growth in the East zone.
“The reality is we have no more classroom space for that number of kindergartners,” Freeman said when the project was approved earlier this year.
A consultant a year ago predicted most schools in Vestavia Hills would begin to see drops in enrollment due to an aging population and other demographic trends, but the Vestavia Hills Elementary East attendance zone actually saw the opposite with a need for more space.
The district also added two new elementary math coaches this fall, further strengthening a program that has long been a point of pride for Vestavia. Just this spring, the Vestavia Hills High School math team repeated as state champions, continuing a tradition of excellence that stretches back decades.
At the high school, crews over the summer demolished a long-vacant house adjacent to the tennis courts to create 52 additional parking spaces — a needed upgrade for the largest junior class in school history.
The senior patio, closed for more than a month in the spring due to sewer line repairs, also has reopened.
At Vestavia Hills Elementary West, classrooms damaged by last spring’s flooding have been restored, including new cabinetry, after an intensive remediation and repair process.
The school was closed for two school days in May as remediation crews worked to dry out the school interior and ensure safe air quality following flooding after heavy rains sent water into the school.
Areas of impact included the lower level of the school, affecting kindergarten classrooms,
after taking Oak Mountain to the state finals this past spring. Di Piazza brings a track record of seven state championships and more than 500 wins across his career and has already set ambitious goals for the Rebels.
“My goal is to be in the final four next year,” he said. “There’s a sense of community at Vestavia that’s really appealing, and something I’ll build into this program. We’re going to work incredibly hard and do things right.”
At the board-level, Jay Stewart has stepped into the role of president of the Vestavia Hills Board of Education. Stewart, who has served on the board for four years, said his focus will be on recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers.
some first grade and special education classrooms, and part of the gym. Water got up to about four inches.
Crews from Brookstone Remediation were on site after the flooding and removed most of the water, dirt and mud. Additional work was completed to make sure it was safe for students to return.
“I think the cleanup work at the school was done very quickly and in a matter of hours, so what you ended up having was not a lot of lasting problems to take care of,” said Whit McGhee, director of communications for Vestavia Hills City Schools. “The school itself looks about the same as it did before the flooding, and I think that is largely in part to the fact they were able to get flood remediation within hours of the damage taking place.”
The primary focus was installing new cabinetry in classrooms affected by flooding. Ty Arendall, director of operations for VHCS, said in July that work to the classrooms was looking good for the beginning of the school year, and he did not anticipate any additional work as a result of flooding.
NEW FACES
Laura Casey begins her first full year as Vestavia Hills’ athletics director, having taken over last spring following Myra Miles’ retirement. Casey previously served as assistant athletic director and an assistant principal at Vestavia Hills High School.
The district also welcomes one of Alabama’s most accomplished high school soccer coaches: David Di Piazza, who takes over the Vestavia Hills High School boys soccer program this fall
That is a lot of change, but one thing won’t be different: Meal prices at all Vestavia schools. They will remain at the rates they’ve held since 2015, according to Amanda Carlson, the district’s director of child nutrition.
‘THE VESTAVIA WAY’
The city of Vestavia Hills is marking its 75th anniversary this year, and district leaders are using the milestone as a chance to reflect on the culture and values that have shaped the city’s schools.
The district has rolled out a new comprehensive communication strategy this year, standardizing platforms, focusing on accessibility and clarity, and training teachers and staff as communicators. McGhee said the plan aims to make the school system the “first and best source” of information for families — while reinforcing the excellence of the brand Vestavia has built over five decades.
With the new year comes new goals — on the field, in the classroom and in the community — and a renewed sense of purpose to live up to high standards. The previous year certainly set a high bar for 2025-26, as the graduating seniors earned more than $46 million in scholarship offers and were part of yet another haul of team and individual state championships — from the math team to the robotics team and more.
McGhee said the school system has adopted a strategic planning theme this year — an effort to define what has made the district exceptional and how to build on that legacy.
“We’re just trying to discuss what has made our school system such an incredible place,” he said. “We like to refer to it as
the Vestavia Way.”
Above left: New faculty members gather at the new teacher orientation for Vestavia Hills City Schools on July 21. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills City Schools.
Above right: New Vestavia Hills High School boys soccer coach David DiPiazza. Staff photo.
Left: A new state law prohibits students from having cellphones on their person during the school day. Staff photo.
Left: Crews from Brookstone Remediation were present at Vestavia Hills Elementary School West. Photo by Jon Anderson. Right: Superintendent Todd Freeman greets faculty at new teacher orientation for Vestavia Hills City Schools on July 21. Photo courtesy of Vestavia Hills City Schools.
Meet Kim Matchen, Dolly Ridge Elementary’s secretary
By JON ANDERSON
Kim Matchen is getting ready to start her 26th and last year as a secretary with Vestavia Hills City Schools. She worked 19 years at Vestavia Hills Elementary Central and is starting her seventh year at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge.
Q: With how many principals have you worked?
A: I just had one principal at Central — Marian Humphries, and then I’ve had two here — Ty Arendall and Lorie Belskie.
Q: So you’re retiring at the end of this year? What do you plan to do in your retirement?
A: I love to volunteer at Children’s [of Alabama] Hospital and the humane society as well. I love animals. I just want to donate some of my time there. And I’m the caregiver for my husband [who has multiple sclerosis], so that takes up a good amount of time.
Q: What has been the best part of being a school secretary?
A: People that I’ve met over the years. The kids, the parents. It’s a wonderful community to work in. And my coworkers. They’re my other family.
Q: What’s something else about the job you particularly enjoy?
A: I just feel like God calls you to do things, and this just kind of is one of the things he called me to do — be of service here and help people and guide them. It’s kind of one of these catch-all areas. There’s a little bit of everything that you do.
Q: Spit out a couple of things people may not think about that you end up doing.
A: It could be a number of things. I greet people. I do actually cover classes when needed. I’ve also covered in the lunchroom when they’ve been short. I direct carpool every day in the afternoon.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: I’m down a little bit because we lost a couple. I have one dog named Jack. I have another one which is actually my son’s dog, but it’s my dog now. [Wrenly] I have two cats [Maddie and Leo], and then I have a granddog that comes to visit at G’Momma’s day care every day because they live in an apartment, so he comes to play in my yard during the day. His name is Flash.
Q: At what humane society would you volunteer?
A: Probably the [Greater] Birmingham Humane Society. All of mine are rescues. We always go there and rescue there.
Q: When you have free time, what’s something else you like to do?
A: I love to exercise and walk and be outside, especially in the summer when it’s nice and you can walk outside. I do spend time with my family — go on trips when I can.
Q: Where do you like to travel?
A: The beach first, and we love Disney.
Q: How many times have you been to Disney?
A: Recently, probably three times, but we’re planning on going this Christmas. We like to go at Christmas time. It’s best — not as hot.
Q: What’s the best thing at Disney for you?
A: Flight of Passage. That’s the ride from “Avatar.” You get on it, and it just makes you feel like you’re one of the avatars flying.
Q: What beach do you like to go to?
A: We like to go to Panama City or Destin, and we go to Gulf Shores a lot as well.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant?
A: Probably Bistro V’s shrimp and grits. We’re also an Ashley Mac’s fan, and a Café Iz fan. We do a lot of that here in the office for birthday celebrations.
Kim Matchen is the secretary at Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge. Photo courtesy of Kim Matchen.
Business Buzz
BUSINESS HAPPENINGS
COMING SOON
Chris and April Edwards, the owners of Rainbow Paint and Decorating at 1450 Montgomery Highway, plan to open an Ace Hardware store next to Chuck E. Cheese on Old Town Road and relocate their paint and decorating business inside that store. They hope to have the Ace Hardware built and opened by the first quarter of 2026, Chris Edwards said. The Ace Hardware store will be about 11,800 square feet, which is almost double the amount of space they have now at Rainbow Paint and Decorating, he said. 205-822-3548, acehardware.com and rainbow-paint.com
RENOVATIONS AND RELOCATIONS
The Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1300 Montgomery Highway is being remodeled. The project began in June and is expected to be completed in
October, store manager Gordon Parker said. 205-822-9994, walmart.com
Do you have news to share about a business in Vestavia Hills or the greater Birmingham area? Let us know at starnesmedia.com/business-happenings
Nesbitt Pain Associates has relocated from UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital to a clinic in Vestavia Hills at 200 Montgomery Highway, Suite 200. The clinic has two surgical suites and a medication management area and specializes in a multi-disciplinary approach to treating chronic pain caused by spinal conditions. This includes neck and back pain from injuries or degeneration and disc damage and stenosis affecting the spinal cord and nerves. The clinic is led by Dr. Robert Nesbitt Nesbitt earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Alabama and has a doctoral degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he also completed his internship and residency in anesthesiology. Dr. Jeremy Barlow also practices there. Barlow earned his bachelor’s degree at Baylor University and has a doctoral degree from the University of Oklahoma. He completed his residency in anesthesiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. 205-723-0088, nesbittpain.com
Vestavia Voice is spotlighting local businesses in print and online. Submit your business for consideration here: go.starnesmedia.com/business-spotlight
NEW OWNERSHIP
Tommie and Lizzie Hiltz are the new owners of Crestline Bagel, which has a location at 4117 Crosshaven Drive #5230 in Cahaba Heights and other locations in Crestline Village in Mountain Brook and downtown Birmingham. They closed on the purchase in April. Crestline Bagel specializes in handmade bagels and other baked goods. 205-407-4583, crestlinebagel.com
NEWS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Steve Foster and Nathan Click of TherapySouth were recently honored by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s National Alumni Society with a Blazer Fast 40 Award, recognizing the fastest-growing businesses led by UAB alumni. Winners were selected based on verified revenue growth and recognized during a ceremony at UAB’s Hill Student Center. Foster is chairman and CEO of TherapySouth, and Click is the chief clinical officer. TherapySouth is a therapistowned outpatient physical therapy practice with multiple clinics across the metro area, including two in Vestavia Hills. The City Center clinic is at 1944 Canyon Road, Suite 100, and the Patchwork Farms clinic is at 3056 Healthy Way, Suite 116. Both offer personalized, hands-on care to help patients recover from injury and improve mobility. 205-822-7607, 205-783-5270, therapysouth.com
► Details: The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Lunch & Learn event with Logan McCabe, the co-owner and CEO of Talking Social, a Vestavia Hills-based social media marketing and promotions firm whose mission is to help brands grow their revenue through social media promotion.
► Details: The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee invites people to hear about business community updates and help develop ideas to build a better community. Advance registration is requested but not required.
VESTAVIA HILLS CHAMBER LUNCHEON
► Where: Vestavia Country Club, 400 Beaumont Drive
► When: Tuesday, Aug. 12, networking at 11:30 a.m.; program noon-1 p.m.
► Contact: 205-823-5011
► Web: business.vestaviahills.org/ events
► Cost: $25 through Aug. 7; $30 after Aug. 7
► Details: The Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce is having its monthly luncheon. Scheduled speakers include Vestavia Hills Schools Superintendent Todd Freeman and Vestavia Hills City Manager Jeff Downes, who plan to give a talk on the “healthy tension” between the school system and the city.
DIGITAL DECLUTTERING
► Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest technology classroom, 1221 Montgomery Highway
► When: Thursday, Aug. 28, 4-5:30 p.m.
► Contact: 205-978-4679
► Web: vestavialibrary.org/tech
► Cost: Free
► Details: A class offering tips for decluttering your computer, mobile devices and all things digital, including files, photos and overloaded email inboxes. Register at vestavialibrary. org/tech or call 205-978-4679.
► For more events news, connect with the Vestavia Voice online by scanning the QR code.
► Have an upcoming event to share? Email Jon Anderson at janderson@starnesmedia.com.
VESTAVIA HILLS POLICE FOUNDATION LUNCHEON
► Where: Vestavia Country Club, 400 Beaumont Drive
► When: Wednesday, Aug. 20, lunch at 11:45 a.m.; program begins at noon
► Contact: 205-222-8537 or vhpfndn@gmail.com
► Web: vhpf.org
► Cost: $200 per ticket; $1,500 for table for eight
► Details: The Vestavia Hills Police Foundation is hosting a luncheon honoring U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, who represents Alabama’s Sixth Congressional District. Proceeds will benefit the Vestavia Hills Police Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation.
VESTAVIA HILLS LIBRARY IN THE FOREST
TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Aug. 5: Tech Talk: Streaming TV, 4-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 14: Intermediate Microsoft Excel Part II, 4-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 21: iPad Basics Part II, 4-5:30 p.m.
Register at vestavialibrary.org/tech or call 205978-4679.
ADULTS
Aug. 6: Crafter’s, Inc.: Mini Mushroom Terrariums, 11 a.m.
Aug. 8: Craft Lab: Matted Color Art, 7 p.m.
Aug. 13: Read & Feed Book Group, 6 p.m.
Aug. 19: Adult Creative Writing Series, 6 p.m.
Register at vestavialibrary.org/adults or email program contact.
PRESERVING OLD PHOTOGRAPHS
► Where: Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest community room, 1221 Montgomery Highway
► When: Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2 p.m.
► Contact: 205-348-3000
► Web: olli.ua.edu
► Cost: Free
► Details: The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will have a presentation on preserving old photographs. The talk will cover the pros and cons of various photo storage solutions, including cloud storage and digitization services. For ages 18 and older.
MAKERSPACE
Aug. 4 & 7: Introduction to 3D Printing
Aug. 11, 14, 21, 25 & 28: Open Maker Lab
Aug. 11 & 14: Vinyl Cutting 101
Aug. 25 & 28: Intro to CNC Engraving
Registration required. For ages 12 and older.
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
Aug. 11: City Council action meeting, 6 p.m.
Aug. 14: Planning and Zoning Commission, 6 p.m.
Aug. 18: City Council work session, 5 p.m.
Aug. 19: Parks and Recreation Board, 7:30 a.m.
Aug. 25: Board of Education, 4 p.m.
Aug. 25: City Council action meeting, 6 p.m.
SPONSORED CONTENT
Homeowners save money and time with Preservan wood-rot repair
Homeowners spend lots of hard-earned cash when they’re forced to replace rotten wood in their homes, including pricey doors, windows and columns.
But Preservan Birmingham offers a unique, eco-friendly wood repair method that uses epoxy resins to preserve building materials instead of replacing them. Developed by Preservan Franchising in 2016, the method saves homeowners millions of dollars annually by eliminating many wasteful, expensive renovation projects.
Hillary Edwards, who began operating the Preservan Birmingham franchise in October, wants to spread the good news.
“No one else is doing what Preservan does,” Edwards says. “It’s important to let people know that they don't necessarily have to replace their damaged wood windows or other building elements.”
The Epoxy Techs at Preservan can repair those elements for a fraction of the price.
“One of our customers in the Highland Lakes community was looking at spending about $100,000 to replace all the windows in his house, but we fixed the windows that had rot for less than $6,000,” Edwards said.
Not only that, Preservan did more than save that customer over $90,000.
“We saved him the time and hassle of having all his windows replaced,”
Edwards said. “This is so much more convenient and focused.”
Preservan techs complete most projects in less than 36 hours, saving clients the stress and delays of major renovations.
Edwards is also proud of Preservan’s positive environmental impact.
“It feels good to know that we are keeping huge amounts of construction waste out of our landfills,” she says.
For example, if that homeowner replaced all of his windows, the originals would have been discarded.
“Imagine what a pile of 30 large windows in a landfill would look like; and all the energy, time and resources used to create, transport, install,
remove and then discard them,” Edwards said. “When researching Preservan as a franchise option, I came across the statement that really resonates with me: The most sustainable approach is to repair what we already have.”
Edwards’ love of restoration began when she was a child and watched her parents restore a 1912 vintage farmhouse. She later worked with nonprofits, including a year serving with Americorps at Habitat for Humanity.
“I became enamored with homes and renovation,” Edwards said.
From 2006 to 2016, Edwards and her husband lived in Greece and where
Preservan Birmingham
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she was inspired by European artisans and craftsmanship. She moved to Birmingham in 2019 with her husband and four children. Edwards learned about Preservan while studying small-business and franchise opportunities.
She and her family live in Vestavia Hills, and they like living and doing business in the Birmingham area.
“Birmingham has a small-town feel with a lot of community, and we enjoy that aspect of it,” Edwards said.
SPORTS
UNDER THE LIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Trials by fire paying off for Rebels
By KYLE PARMLEY
In the moment, the tough times are less than enjoyable. But if handled correctly, there are typically dividends on the back end.
Vestavia Hills navigated the fire last fall, facing a daunting three-game stretch to begin the season with a young and inexperienced roster. Safe to say it did not go well for the Rebels. They dropped all three of those opening games but persevered and won five of the next seven to qualify for the playoffs.
“Our young kids were playing like juniors and seniors at the end of the year, and they had a lot of experience at that point,” head coach Robert Evans said.
What Evans is anticipating is that forced development and maturity will pay off this fall, as the Rebels should have plenty of players who are ready to step up and become leaders.
“We finished the season with a bunch of sophomores on the field,” Evans said. “And the good thing was, going into this year, we have a lot more experience than we otherwise would have had coming into this year.”
The schedule isn’t any easier this fall for the Rebels. They open the season at home against Westside High (S.C.), a team that has won a state title and finished as the runner-up in Class AAAA over the last two years. Vestavia then hosts fellow Class 7A power Auburn and Montgomery Catholic Preparatory to end the season.
In Region 3 play, Vestavia Hills plays home games against Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Prattville, Oak Mountain and Hoover. The Rebels will play Hewitt-Trussville, Thompson and Tuscaloosa County on the road.
OFFENSE
The Vestavia Hills offense hit its stride in the second half of last season, and the Rebels are looking to continue that momentum into 2025. That hope starts with returning quarterback Charlie Taaffe, who was one of those players thrown into the fire last fall. He showed steady progress each week, and after standout performances late in the year, he now enters 2025 with confidence and command. Price LaMaster will also play a signifcant role in the Rebels’ offense from the quarterback spot.
Injuries ravaged the Vestavia running back room last year, so Evans knows the importance of developing quality depth. Carson Purdy is a returning running back but is a versatile player capable of doing plenty of different things.
Noah Boylan finished last season as the starter and is expected to carry a heavy load once again.
Will Ainsworth is the top tight end on the roster and does similar things to guys like Braxton Hunt and Grayson Harper, who each take on some of the traditional fullback tasks.
At wideout, Hayes Hudson is a senior who Evans hopes to see burst onto the scene in his final campaign. Luke Stubbs was a heavy contributor last fall, and Zach Laws is back as well, as both juniors are key to the passing attack.
Up front, Caleb Boylan returns at center, and Evans described him as the “anchor” of the line. Copeland Styles is a college prospect, entering his junior season as a starting tackle. The Rebels are looking for others to step up and fill the other spots.
DEFENSE
The Vestavia defense has plenty of players
with returning experience, but the unit would love to show much improvement over last season’s production. The Rebels allowed over 25 points per game last fall.
Up front, nose guard Josh Arendall is a potential college player, and Evans said he is “strong as an ox.” Paxton Ussery will get time along the line as well. Haines Bridges and Rush Harper are guys who played on the line last year but are shifting positions to be featured more heavily in this year’s defense.
Harper will take one of the linebacker spots, with Daniel Richardson and Nick Williams among the players returning in the middle of the defense.
Owen Wilbanks is a starting safety who will be among the leaders of the defense, as will Walker Hogue, who can play multiple positions. Parker Simpson is moving from safety to take one of the starting corner spots, and Layton Osborn will play corner as well. Evans
said the Rebels are still looking for guys to step up and fill a few gaps and give the team depth.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Vestavia Hills didn’t have to worry about things with Owen Simpson handling the kicking and punting duties, but his graduation has opened up a few roles on special teams. Evans said sophomore Sloan Morgan and junior Gray Prier are battling it out to get on the field and fill pivotal roles.
Josh Arendall (93). Photo by Richard Force.
Charlie Taaffe (11). Photo by David Leong.
Caleb Boylan (53). Photo by David Leong.
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From scrapbooks to the cloud: Shelia Bruce’s legacy of preservation
Vestavia Hills’ longestserving archivist passes the baton — but not the passion.
By TIM STEPHENS
Inside a small room tucked into the lowest floor of the Library in the Forest, Shelia Bruce is telling stories. She’s surrounded by the scrapbooks, maps and relics that tell the story of how a steep ridge once called “unlivable” became Vestavia Hills — one of the most admired cities in Alabama.
There’s a faded original city map rolled across a table, shelves full of old photo albums, and newspaper clippings from every major civic milestone organized in filing cabinets. Directly behind her sits a damaged, life-sized plaster statue — a relic that looks like it was hauled out of an ancient Roman ruin. And in a way, it was.
Bruce has spent the past 14 years as president of the Vestavia Hills Historical Society, and nearly four decades before that as an officer or volunteer. In June, she stepped down from her day-to-day leadership. A new president will be selected by the board and will take over officially in October. But her mark on the city’s legacy is permanent.
“I’ve lived in Vestavia Hills since 1975,” Bruce said. “So it’s getting, it’s 50 years.”
Bruce first got involved with the Historical Society when her children were young. Pat Barr and Preston Pannell invited her in, and she started as secretary under then-president Frances Poor. “I’ve held an office of some type
since probably ’88, ’89,” she said. “History means a lot to me, and it’s been my honor.”
When Bruce became president, she realized that nearly all of the city’s documentation — its founding records, photos, family stories — existed only in hard copy. “It made me a little nervous,” she said. “If something happened to our library, God forbid … our history was gone.”
She set a goal to digitize every record the Historical Society had — including scrapbooks dating back to the 1980s — and to keep the
city’s evolving story updated each year.
“We just finished it this year,” Bruce said. “All of our history’s caught up, scanned and in the cloud.”
As she walks through the room, she points to items with deep backstories: the first house built in the city, the names of early families, the original plans for fire and police services. “We have a story to tell,” she said.
She believes strongly that cities must preserve their past. “Someone once said if you don’t know your history and you don’t want to
document it … you’re condemned to repeat it,” Bruce said. “How much of our history do we never want to repeat again? A lot.”
And yet, she notes, some history is worth repeating — or at least revisiting. In the corner of the archive sits one of the seven original statues from the George Ward estate — the one that gave Vestavia Hills its name. Ward, a former Birmingham mayor, modeled his estate after the Temple of Vesta in Rome. Most of the statues were destroyed in a senseless act of vandalism. But thanks to a phone call from a family who’d unknowingly preserved one in their basement for nearly 50 years, Bruce recovered a piece of the city’s most iconic landmark in 2019.
“There’s a few things wrong with her, but it’s fixable,” Bruce said. She doesn’t want to fully erase the statue’s scars. “That’s part of history.”
Bruce says she’s stepping back now not because the work is finished, but because it’s time. “I have a 90-year-old mother and small grandchildren who live in Washington, D.C.,” she said. “I want to visit them, see them grow up and be a part of their lives.”
But she hopes the next generation keeps the mission going — not just with records, but with vision. She imagines a virtual screen at City Hall where students can browse photos, maps and oral histories. “I would love for the next generation to get a screen that they can go in … and it has all the history,” she said. “And that it could be a place where schools could have field trips.”
As Vestavia Hills celebrates its 75th anniversary, Bruce’s fingerprints are all over the city’s collective memory — in every image scanned, every timeline organized, every name preserved. But her favorite part might be the stories — the ones she’s helped preserve and the ones still to come.
Shelia Bruce, a member of the Vestavia Hills Historical Society, is running point on managing and digitizing the archives the historical society has accumulated over the years. Staff photo.
Life in Vestavia Hills
Lifeguard Ashley Ferguson
By JON ANDERSON
Q: What do you like about working as a lifeguard?
A: I enjoy being able to sit outside and be in a family atmosphere and … if somebody needed something, in that instant and in that moment, to be able to be the person they go to and to be counted on to watch their kids.
Q: Have you ever had to jump in and assist somebody?
A: I have. We had a kid walk into the deep end, and I had to jump in and get her, but we haven’t had a lot of those occurrences luckily.
Q: What’s the thing you like least about lifeguarding?
A: When it gets really, really hot, the part that’s not the greatest about it is being outside with it being so hot because then you’re tired, and you’re more likely to miss important things, and that kind of worries me a little bit for other guards as well. Being able to be on point and to pay attention is the most important thing.
Q: Where are you in school?
A: I’m at UAB and Jeff State’s combined nursing program.
Q: Do you live here in Vestavia?
A: Yes.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: In 10 years, I would see myself working in the hospital with children, and hopefully with a family.
Q: Do you have a preferred city you want to be in? Is it here in Birmingham or somewhere else?
A: I want to be here in Birmingham. If I’m lucky enough, I want to work at Children’s in the NICU [neonatal intensive care unit]. I kind of want to hang out here because I have family and relatives that are all at Children’s … My mom is a respiratory therapist at Children’s of Alabama, and my sister is a nurse on the CVICU [cardiovascular intensive care unit] floor. And my other sister is actually a physical therapist.
Q: When you’re not lifeguarding or in school, what do you like to do with your spare time?
A: Relaxing because I feel like I’m constantly on the go or worrying about what I need to complete next on my list … Relaxing by the pool or going on a walk, getting lunch.
Q: If you could change one thing about Vestavia Hills, what would it be?
A: I would make things more available to the public, more welcoming and not as many things having to have a membership to get in. I wish we were more open arms to everybody and inclusive with all the activities we have.
By JON ANDERSON
In 1990, Pat Mitchell, a former elementary school teacher from Vestavia Hills, created a character named “Auntie Litter” as part of an anti-litter and pro-environment campaign. Mitchell hoped to “do for the environment what Uncle Sam has done for patriotism.” Her first appearance came at Birmingham’s 1990 Earth Day, where she launched an “Auntie Litter Needs You” public education campaign. She started speaking at schools, churches and businesses and speaking out in news articles, radio interviews, television appearances and public service announcements, promoting litter prevention and cleanup efforts and environmental stewardship. That effort spread not only across Alabama, but throughout the Southeast. She even got national attention, being interviewed by CNN Headline News and featured in publications such as Family Circle, Recycling Today, Weekly Reader, Country America and Waste Age Digest, according to the Auntie Litter website.
In 1990 and 1991, she received the national Take Pride in America Award and was honored by President George H.W. Bush at the White House. She received a conservation award from the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Woman of Distinction Award from the Girl Scouts of America.
In 1996, President Bill Clinton named her a Point of Light, and she was selected as a Community Hero for the Birmingham metro area who got to carry the Olympic Torch as it passed through Birmingham and Vestavia Hills en route to Atlanta in 1996. She joined Chris Hagewood, then a junior at Vestavia Hills High School, in carrying the torch through Vestavia Hills on June 30, 1996, with crowds cheering them on.
Pat Mitchell, also known as Auntie Litter, carries the Olympic torch through Vestavia Hills on June 30, 1996, as part of a 15,000mile torch relay trek en route to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Pat Mitchell.
Ferguson
COMMUNITY
56 for 56: The finish line … or is it?
By TIM STEPHENS
So I didn’t lose all the weight. But I lost a lot of things that were heavier.
Fifty-six pounds became 56 truths I’ve learned along the way.
1. There was a time I thought I could outwork anything.
2. Deadlines. Emotions. My own wiring.
3. I set a goal: 56 pounds by 56 years old.
4. But somewhere along the way, I realized this wasn’t just about weight.
5. I’ve done this before. Over and over. Lose big, gain big. Burn bright, then burn out.
6. Not from lack of willpower, but because I was undiagnosed, misunderstood, and praised for the mask.
7. I was praised for doing the work of five people. But no one ever asked why I did it.
8. Turns out, I’m not lazy, or flaky or inconsistent.
24. I finally know what real self-care looks like. And it’s not a massage or a cheat day.
25. It’s saying no without guilt.
26. It’s asking for help before the crash.
27. It’s not explaining your boundaries.
28. I don’t owe access to everyone who remembers a different version of me.
29. I’m not who I used to be. And I’m not sorry for that.
30. I don’t have to give more of my time or myself than I have capacity to give.
31. I don’t have to burn out to be worthy.
32. Success is not a sprint. Healing is not linear.
33. I don’t want applause. I want peace.
34. This journey wasn’t about pounds. It was about patterns.
35. But I earned every single one of them.
36. This wasn’t just a weight loss goal. It was a reckoning.
37. I did lose weight – 35 pounds – just not
all of it.
38. I lost the shame.
39. I lost the guilt and pain of things that were not mine to own.
40. I lost the story that said I had to earn rest.
41. I lost the mask.
42. And I found the truth.
43. The truth is: knowing what you're facing doesn't make it easier to face.
44. ADHD isn’t a quirk. It’s not a superpower. Not knowing until my middle 50s cost me more than most people will ever know.
45. Knowing now gives me the chance to be authentically me — maybe for the first time.
46. Trauma isn't a weakness. It's a memory
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stored in the body.
47. High performance isn't always high health.
48. Most people see the output. Few ask about the cost.
49. I don't want to be admired. I want to be understood.
50. I don't want to impress. I want to feel.
51. My worth is not my productivity.
52. My peace is not a reward. It is a right.
53. My truth is not always easy. But it's mine now.
54. This wasn't a failure. It was a reveal.
55. So no, this isn’t the finish line.
56. I’m 56 years old. I know who I am. And I’m finally free to be me.
Train smarter, not longer with HOTWORX
Time is one of the biggest barriers to maintaining a consistent fitness routine. Between work, family and daily responsibilities, squeezing in an hour-long gym session can feel impossible. But at HOTWORX Vestavia Hills, members are proving that an effective workout doesn’t have to take all day.
HOTWORX, a 24/7 infrared fitness studio, offers high-intensity and low-impact workouts inside heated saunas, allowing members to burn more calories, build strength and recover faster — all in less time than traditional gym workouts.
WORKOUT EFFICIENCY
The efficiency of a HOTWORX session comes down to three key factors: infrared heat, isometric exercise and high-intensity interval training, or HIIT.
“We cut out the warmup,” said Danica Kempinski, owner of HOTWORX Vestavia Hills and a HOTWORX virtual instructor. “The infrared heat warms the body naturally, so you can get straight to work and optimize your time. You’re recovering while you work out, which means you don’t leave feeling as sore as you would at a typical gym.”
With HOTWORX’s 15-minute HIIT and 30-minute isometric sessions, members achieve the benefits of longer, traditional workouts in a fraction of the time.
“You only need 15 to 30 minutes three times a week in the sauna to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease by over 40 percent,” Kempinski said.
INFRARED BENEFITS
Unlike a regular gym, where warmups and cooldowns take up valuable time, HOTWORX’s infrared heat allows members to get right into their workout, maximizing every minute.
“Infrared penetrates about an inch to an inch and a half into your skin,” Kempinski said. “It increases your core temperature, kick-starting circulation, muscle recovery and detoxification while you exercise.”
This deep heat not only boosts calorie burn but also
reduces inflammation and speeds up muscle recovery, helping members work out more consistently without excessive soreness.
VARIETY OF WORKOUTS
HOTWORX offers a wide range of workout options, all led by certified virtual instructors who guide members through each session. Whether it’s high-intensity interval training, isometric strength training or flexibility-based sessions like yoga and Pilates, members can choose workouts that fit their fitness level and goals. The studio features small-group
• Where: 790 Montgomery Highway, Suite 124
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• Web: hotworx.net/studio/ vestaviahills
training with up to three people per sauna, ensuring a personalized experience while allowing members to go at their own pace.
FITNESS ON YOUR SCHEDULE
For those who struggle to find time to work out, HOTWORX’s 24/7 access makes it easier than ever to stay on track.
“There’s no penalty for canceling or rescheduling a session,” Kempinski said. “If your schedule changes at the last minute, you can still get your workout in at any time of day or night. It’s your studio.”
Whether it’s a quick 15-minute HIIT session before work or a 30-minute yoga session at midnight, HOTWORX provides an accessible and efficient solution for busy professionals, parents and anyone looking to get the most out of their workouts.
With infrared heat, guided virtual training and a focus on efficiency, HOTWORX is redefining what it means to train smarter — not longer.
For those ready to experience the difference, HOTWORX offers a free first session.
“Once you try it, you’ll never look at fitness the same way again,” Kempinski said.
To book your free first session or learn more, visit hotworx.net/studio/vestaviahills.
Local members SaraGrace Sawyer, Anna Grace Wiggins and Tabitha Dailey pedal their way through a 15 minute HOT CYCLE small-group session.
Starnes Media General Manager Tim Stephens and Hotworx’s Danica Kempinski celebrate his progress on his 56-for-56 journey. Staff Photo.
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Cajun comfort, clean conscience
Clean Cajun Cookin’ brings healthy soul to southern tables
For Chef Kimm Free, cooking is more than a profession — it’s an act of love. With her business, Clean Cajun Cookin', she is redefining what it means to eat well in Vestavia Hills and surrounding areas, offering delicious, Cajun-inspired meals that are as nourishing as they are flavorful.
A Louisiana native, Free grew up surrounded by the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine. But as she watched her family struggle with health issues tied to their diets, she made it her mission to create a better way to enjoy the food she loved.
“I knew I didn’t want to give up Cajun food,” Free says. “So I had to figure out how to make it healthier while keeping all the flavor.”
That determination led her to launch Clean Cajun Cookin' in August 2023, a personal chef service that provides nutritious, customized meal prep and catering with a Southern twist. From blackened salmon with asparagus to a spicy chicken sandwich that satisfies without the guilt, Free’s dishes are designed to fit seamlessly into busy lives while still offering the comforting flavors of home.
PERSONALIZED MEALS, THOUGHTFUL SERVICE
Free’s approach to meal prep is deeply personal.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all menu, she works with each client to craft meals that meet their specific dietary needs and preferences.
“I sit down with my clients and really get to know their tastes,” she explains. “What flavors they like, how spicy they want their food, even which vegetables they prefer. Then, I create a customized menu just for them.”
The process is simple but thorough. After an initial consultation, Free develops a menu of nearly 20 meal options tailored to her client’s preferences. Each week, they select their favorites, and Free handles the rest — shopping for high-quality, fresh ingredients, preparing meals in their home, packaging them and leaving the kitchen spotless. All that’s left for clients to do is heat up their food and enjoy.
For those focused on health and fitness, Free also offers macro-conscious meal planning.
“If you’re counting calories or tracking macros, I can work with you to make sure your meals align with your goals,” she says. “Eating healthy shouldn’t mean eating bland.”
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“People love my gumbo and my Alfredo,” she says
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with a laugh. “Those aren’t necessarily the healthiest, but you have to have a little balance in life.”
For those looking for something on the lighter side, her mixed veggie spaghetti squash with lamb (or turkey) meatballs is a favorite.
“It’s all about using fresh ingredients and making everything from scratch,” she adds. “That’s how you keep the flavors bold but the food clean.”
Her passion for clean cooking doesn’t stop at meal prep. Free also offers private cooking classes and catering for events, helping more people discover that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring.
A TASTE OF LOUISIANA
Now two years into her time in Alabama, Free has found a warm welcome in the metro Birmingham community.
“People here remind me of home — friendly, welcoming, and they love good food,” she says. And for those who crave the authentic flavors of New Orleans but want to keep their meals light, Clean Cajun Cookin' offers the best of both worlds.
As an incentive, Free is currently offering a $100 discount on first-time meal prep services for clients who book now through the end of August.
For more information or to book a consultation, visit cleancajuncookin.com or call 504-295-3109.
VOTER GUIDE
Some observers view Cheatwood’s bid for the mayor’s race as a long shot because he’s not as well known as Curry, a retired special agent for the FBI who oversaw the FBI’s Birmingham office.
Curry, 75, defeated former Mayor Butch Zaragoza in 2016 and was unopposed in the 2020 election cycle. Also, the fact that Cheatwood was fired from his job as a police officer in 2017 for “conduct unbecoming of a police officer” doesn’t play well in his favor.
But Cheatwood, 54, is hoping his opposition to the failed property tax increase that was proposed for Vestavia Hills City Schools in 2023 will gain him some support. Curry supported the tax increase, but about 4,100 Vestavia Hills voters (56% of those who voted in the referendum) sided with Cheatwood to help defeat it.
“Maybe Vestavians believe they’re overtaxed,” he said. “Everybody wants a tax break, and I’m going to give it to them.”
Cheatwood said he would favor eliminating property taxes for people ages 65 and older because the taxes are so high now that some elderly people have to sell their homes. He also said he would like to make it so that taxes going to schools are paid only by people with children in school.
Curry said he voted in favor of the property tax increase because property taxes are the primary source of funding for Vestavia Hills City Schools, and he wants schools to maintain the high quality that has existed for decades.
“I now have grandchildren in the schools, and I want them to have that same quality of excellence that my children had,” Curry said.
Cheatwood also said he favors getting rid of the city manager position and going back to a mayor-council form of government. The current mayor and council are giving City
Manager Jeff Downes too much control, and the city government is wasting money on things that aren’t needed, Cheatwood said.
The pedestrian bridge currently being installed over U.S. 31 likely won’t be used well and will end up being a liability, he said. Also, while he does favor building a police substation at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex, he doesn’t think a new police training center is needed there, or a library branch, he said.
Some people may have lots of money and not care if the city spends money on things like that, but others don’t want to have to pay taxes like they pay in Mountain Brook, Cheatwood said.
Curry said it would be a big mistake to switch back to a mayor-council form of government because the city manager system is working so well. When Downes was hired, the city had virtually no reserves, he said. Now, the city has a $21.6 million emergency reserve fund, which is more than $6 million over what’s required by city policy, Downes said.
City revenues are growing and the city is making progress on addressing capital needs that residents have been seeking, Curry said. The planned projects at the Sicard Hollow Athletic Complex and Liberty Park are clearly the priorities identified by city leaders after conducting resident surveys, he said.
Curry thinks the city can use reserve funds and surplus from their general fund to meet those needs without borrowing money, but if they do have to borrow some, they would never borrow so much as to jeopardize the city’s AAA credit rating, he said.
He also said he is eager to see the veterans memorial get built at Altadena Valley Park and, in the future, a performing arts center for the city.
Curry said he believes he has the support of the public but doesn’t want to take it for granted and encouraged people to vote on Aug. 26.
How to vote
Vestavia Hills voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 26, to elect a mayor and two City Council members for Places 2 and 3 on the council. Councilman Rusty Weaver was unopposed for Council Place 1, and Ali Pierce was unopposed for Council Place 4, and both already have been certified as council members for the next term, which begins Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know to register, vote absentee or cast your ballot in person.
VOTER REGISTRATION
To vote in the municipal election, you must be registered by Monday, Aug. 11.
You can register or update your information online at alabamavotes. gov if you have a valid Alabama driver’s license or non-driver ID. If not, you can complete a mail-in registration form or visit the Jefferson or Shelby County Board of Registrars. You are not officially registered until your county Board of Registrars approves your application.
ABSENTEE VOTING
If you’re unable to vote in person, you may vote absentee by mail or in person at Vestavia Hills City Hall (1032 Montgomery Highway), 2nd Floor, City Clerk’s Office. Absentee ballot applications are available at City Hall or online at vhal.org. A valid photo ID must be submitted with your application.
Key absentee deadlines:
► June 29: Absentee voting began
► Aug. 19: Last day to request an absentee ballot by mail
► Aug. 21: Last day to hand-deliver an absentee application
► Aug. 22: Emergency absentee ballots are available for voters with qualifying medical or work-related emergencies.
► Aug. 25: Last day to hand-deliver an absentee ballot. Cast in person at Vestavia Hills City Hall by close of business.
► Aug. 26 (by noon): Last day for absentee ballots to be received by mail
POLLING LOCATIONS
Vestavia Hills has six polling places for the municipal election. Voters can verify their polling place at alabamavotes.gov or by calling the Jefferson County Board of Registrars at 205-325-5550 or Shelby County Board of Registrars at 205669-3913.
► Shades Mountain Baptist Church
► Vestavia Hills Methodist Church
► Mountaintop Church
► Vestavia Hills Civic Center
► Cahaba Heights Baptist Church
► The Church at Liberty Park
ELECTION DAY
On Aug. 26, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters must present a valid photo ID.
For more information, visit vhal.org/departments/city-clerk/ municipal-elections or contact the city clerk’s office at 205-978-0131.
On Aug. 26, Vestavia Hills voters will head to the polls to vote in the 2025 municipal election. Contested races include mayor and two places on the city council. Staff photos.
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VOTER GUIDE MEET THE CANDIDATES
MAYOR
Richard Cheatwood
► Age: 54
► Residence: GreenView Estates; lived in Vestavia Hills 20 years
► Political experience: First run for public office
► Professional experience: Over 22 years in law enforcement, with 19 of those with the Vestavia Hills Police Department.
► Civic experience: I worked directly with the public every day. I responded to calls and helped solve local issues. I built strong relationships with residents and became someone people trusted to share their concerns, frustrations and ideas. I served the community both on and off duty, always focusing on safety, open communication and building trust. Folks still reach out to me for advice or help with how to handle situations.
► Education: Birmingham Police Academy, 1996; additional training for first responders and management and budgeting
► Residence: Tyler Road area; lived in Vestavia Hills 39 years
► Political experience: Nine years as mayor
► Professional experience: 25 years as special agent with FBI; two years as assistant federal security director for law enforcement with Transportation Security Administration for Northern District of Alabama; nine years as corporate recruiter for EBSCO; seven years with Milliken and Co.
► Civic experience: Alabama League of Municipalities board; former president, Jefferson County Mayors Association; was on Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board and Library Board; now council liaison to those boards; Vestavia Hills Civitan Club; numerous boards with Vestavia Hills Methodist Church
► Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial management, University of Alabama, 1971; master’s degree in business administration, University of South Carolina, 1976; FBI National Academy, 1994
► Website/social media: No campaign website or social media
CITY COUNCIL - PLACE 2
Kimberly Cook
► Age: 62
► Residence: Liberty Park; in Vestavia Hills 23 years
► Political experience: Vestavia Hills councilwoman, 9 years; Alabama Republican Party Exec. Committee; Jefferson County Republican Executive and Steering Committee; Mighty Alabama Strike Force; campaign treasurer, Greg Cook for Supreme Court
► Professional experience: Software engineer, Electronic Data Systems and SouthTrust Data Services
► Civic experience: Leadership Vestavia Hills, Class of 2022; PTO board member over 12 years at four schools; Brother Bryan Mission Board, secretary; Grace House Christian Home for Girls Board, treasurer; leadership positions in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts; Dawson Baptist
► Education: Bachelor’s degree, computer science and music; College of William and Mary, 1985
► Website/social media: cookforcouncil.org; Campaign to Elect Kimberly Cook — Vestavia Hills City Council on Facebook; Cook for Council on Instagram
Karl Julian
► Age: 46
► Residence: Cahaba Heights; lived in Vestavia Hills 40 years
► Political experience: First run for public office
► Professional experience: World Oyama Karate owner and full-time karate instructor (2006-present); Vestavia Hills City Schools substitute teacher (2004-05); JET Program — ESL teacher in Japan (2001-04)
► Civic experience: Vestavia Hills Partners in Education (201819); Pathways women’s shelter volunteer instructor for self-defense classes; Vestavia Hills youth soccer U6 coach (2018-20); Football Club of Birmingham U13 team manager (2024-present); organized karate tournaments with portion of proceeds to Red Cross and Exceptional Foundation (2008-present)
► Education: Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, Illinois Wesleyan University, 2001
► Website/social media: electkarljulian.com; Campaign to elect Karl Julian — Vestavia Hills City Council on Facebook
MEET THE CANDIDATES VOTER GUIDE
CITY COUNCIL - PLACE 3
Brian DeMarco
► Age: 45
► Residence: Columbiana Road area; lived in Vestavia Hills 45 years
► Political experience: First run for public office
► Professional experience: Has worked in corporate communications for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama for 23 years; licensed attorney, crisis management, Public Relations Society of America and Court Appointed Special Advocates
► Civic experience: Vestavia Hills youth coach for more than 15 years; guardian ad litem in Jefferson County courts; court-appointed special advocate; school volunteer; community cleanups; health and wellness campaigns for schools
► Education: Bachelor’s degrees in political science and history, University of Alabama at Birmingham; law degree, Birmingham School of Law
► Website/social media: demarcoforcouncil.com; Brian DeMarco for City Council on Facebook and Instagram
Jacob Pugh
► Age: 48
► Residence: Lincoya Estates; lived in Vestavia Hills 13 years
► Political experience: First run for public office
► Professional experience: Law enforcement (Hoover Police Department); own Klassy Klean and DRYmedic Restoration Services
► Civic experience, involvement: Current member of the Vestavia Hills Sunrise Rotary Club; former director, Vestavia Hills Police Foundation; graduate of Leadership Vestavia Hills 2017; currently chairman of the Alabama Security Regulatory Board; many years of involvement in local service projects like Help The Hills, First Responders Event, Serve Day, etc.
► Education: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology, University of North Alabama, 1999
► Website/social media: jacobpughforcitycouncil.com; Jaco Pugh for Vestavia Hills City Council on Facebook
Michael Vercher
► Age: 51
► Residence: Between Biltmore and Tanglewood; lived in Vestavia Hills 15 years
► Political experience: First run for public office
► Professional experience: For over 25 years has defended companies involved in civil litigation for the same law firm, Christian & Small; currently serves on the executive committee of C&S
► Civic experience: Immediate past chairman of Vestavia Hills Planning and Zoning Commission; Leadership Vestavia Hills graduate; youth basketball coach; was previously on parish council at St. Paul’s Cathedral downtown Birmingham; currently member and volunteer at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church
► Education: Bachelor’s degree in public relations, University of Alabama, 1996; law degree, University of Alabama, 1999
► Website/social media: Mike Vercher for Vestavia Hills City Council Place 3 on Facebook
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VOTER GUIDE ASK THE CANDIDATES
Editor’s Note: Candidate submissions have been edited for length and clarity. To read the full version, go to VestaviaVoice.com
Why are you running for this office, and what qualifies you to serve your community?
What do you believe is the most important issue facing your city today, and why?
I feel our city needs change, especially when it comes to transparency and giving the community more input on where their tax dollars go. I want to get back involved and serve in a new way. Because I lived and worked in the same city for years, people felt comfortable talking to me. I became a sounding board for their complaints, concerns and ideas. That gave me an understanding of what matters to the people who live here.
Two I would like to fix are the drainage problems and loss of tax revenue in Vestavia. It’s way past time we do something about the drainage issues. Online shopping has affected the city. The sales tax from those online orders isn’t coming back to Vestavia like it should. It’s getting split up across the state, and we’re missing out on money that should be coming back to our community.
I am running for re-election primarily to finish all the projects that this council has initiated. Having two terms as mayor, I feel that I am eminently qualified to continue in that role.
What is one specific initiative or policy you would champion if elected, and why is it a priority?
Do you believe the city is adding homes too quickly, too slowly or at the right pace, and what would you want to do, if anything, to affect that pace?
I’d like to start a volunteer public safety group or panel made up of local residents to help identify what neighborhoods need. We’d work with first responders on things like better lighting, the substation on the east side, more patrols where needed, bringing the 911 call center back to the city and getting sidewalk projects moving. I also want to make it easier and more transparent for people to understand how the city is spending their tax dollars.
Vestavia is growing, and that’s a good thing. But in some spots, it’s happening too fast. As new homes go up, we need more school space, teachers, police, fire protection, sanitation and better roads. Slowing down in some areas makes sense so our schools and city services can keep up. I’m all for smart growth, not fast growth. Working with the City Council, school leaders and city departments, we’ll figure out how to ease the pressure.
The most important issue includes infrastructure (roads, sidewalks and stormwater projects) throughout the city. Other significant projects include completion of The Bray development in Liberty Park, completion of road work and sidewalks on Massey Road, continued development of the south U.S. 31 entrance to the city, completion of the Veterans Memorial at Altadena Valley Park, new construction at the Sicard Hollow complex to include a new branch library, improvements for police and fire services and a city maintenance facility.
I would continue “quality of life” programs for our citizens. Examples include: the Freedom From Addiction Coalition (a cooperative effort with the mayors of Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Hoover and Homewood to raise awareness about opioid abuse and vaping); the Phoenix Program (allows an addicted individual to contact our police or fire departments, turn in illegal substances and get rehabilitation services without criminal penalty); Crimes Against the Elderly conferences to protect senior citizens; continued efforts to combat human trafficking.
I think our city’s growth is consistent with our ability to provide the necessary city services (police and traffic issues), Fire Department response times (we maintain an ISO rating of 1.0 — the highest rating you can have), and public works support.
I want to see our city’s strong relationship with our schools continue, through the appointment of board members who listen to parents, and to fulfill our vision for rebuilding the lower U.S. 31 gateway. My qualifications are nine years of serving you, with concrete results. I don’t just talk about goals; I make them happen. I made a career of solving people’s problems and leading people. I have a heart for listening and a passion for getting things done.
Everyone tells me they live in Vestavia because of schools, so the most important issue is always … schools. When you want more and can’t afford it, the best remedy is a thriving economy. Our performance is strong, with steady year-over-year growth and a AAA credit rating, making us the envy of other cities. New parks, a pedestrian bridge and rebuilding Crosshaven were smart investments. A new southern gateway and getting rid of an unsafe hotel — even better.
I support funding to pave all streets in our city rated in poor condition within the next two years, and beautify our southern gateway. I am the “pothole queen” of Vestavia, calling in every one I see, and some that are not even ours. I pushed to get Blue Lake paved because it was a minefield. Having quality roads and a welcoming entrance to our city is a top priority. Adding more sidewalks is a close second.
We are adding homes at the right pace, as school enrollment is falling and demand is high. I use common sense and listen to determine what is best in every decision. A school board member weighs in on annexations, and we appoint careful people to our zoning boards. I ask tough questions of developers and meet with residents because you deserve this kind of thoughtful attention to achieve responsible growth. When it’s your property, I listen to you.
How did you vote on the property tax increase for Vestavia Hills City Schools in 2023, and why?
I voted no. We had just gone through a major property tax assessment by the county, and part of that already helps fund the schools and city services. On top of that, I didn’t feel like the process was transparent enough. We weren’t given a clear picture of how the money would be spent; it seemed to be focused on sports and not aiding overall education, which is what brings people to the city.
I voted in favor of the ad valorem tax, as that is the primary source of funding for our schools. I want our schools to maintain the high quality that has existed for decades. I actually voted for the last tax increase in the 1990s while my children were in school. I now have grandchildren in the schools, and I want them to have that same quality of excellence that my children had.
I voted yes to allow the citizens to vote because I believed the citizens should get to make that decision. I asked the [school] board to tell the financial story and get feedback from the public, just as we did with rebuilding our parks and community facilities (33+ town halls). The people’s voice must be heard, and they deserve to understand all the facts.
Kimberly Cook for City Council, Place 2
Ashley Curry for Mayor
Richard Cheatwood for Mayor
Karl Julian for City Council, Place 2
We’re at our strongest and our governance most effective when we amplify the variety of perspectives helping inform the decisions that impact our shared goal: keeping Vestavia great. I’ve entered the race to bring a fresh perspective to our City Council. I’m open-minded, and I listen to truly understand. I also strive to help people feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions, even when the group’s perspectives differ. I’m skilled at building consensus, identifying common goals and building action plans to produce results.
Infrastructure planning. Vestavia Hills’ growth trajectory climbs year over year — great job to us for being such a desirable place to live, but we have to realistically and proactively address multiple concerns to maintain the exceptional property values, safety/quality of life, educational standards and other community amenities that have made us great. I believe this holds true across our municipality, but especially so in the easternmost portions of Vestavia Hills.
We’ve made tremendous improvements since my youth here in the ’80s and ’90s, but I’d love to see our city become even more walkable via connected, safe sidewalks. This is a key selling point for attracting residents and families. A strategic approach that increases walkability to Vestavia Hills’ many incredible amenities and retail offerings would also entice patrons to spend more time in our retail zones, hopefully boosting sales tax revenues benefiting other important city expenditures.
City Manager Jeff Downes has done a tremendous job balancing the pace of our city’s growth with our existing infrastructure capacity, and providing research and advice for our future. We will continue to face complex decisions, striving to protect and maintain what we’ve already built, while creating opportunities for what’s to come. I’m confident my service on the council will help bring the voices of all of our residents to the discussions among experts making these important decisions.
I support our schools, teachers and students. Adequate funding is pivotal to continued excellence. I voted “no” in the tax referendum because there wasn’t a specific plan for use of the funds, nor a timeline for intended uses. Further, once the tax rate increased, it would stay at that level indefinitely. It’s not ethical to ask citizens to write a blank check, indefinitely. I support researching a revised proposal to bring to citizens if a tax increase is truly the only path forward.
Brian DeMarco for City Council, Place 3
I’m running for City Council Place 3 because I want to serve our community and help make Vestavia Hills the best place to live, raise a family and retire. My goal is to listen to residents and act as a true servant leader — putting the needs of our community first. I’m passionate about helping others, solving problems quickly and efficiently, and staying dedicated to everything that makes Vestavia special.
Every resident may have a different view of what’s most important, which is why listening is so critical. That said, a top priority for me is improving accessibility and infrastructure. I want more sidewalks, safer roads, better connections for our neighborhoods, more green spaces for kids to play and more ways for our community to come together.
ASK THE CANDIDATES VOTER
Jacob Pugh for City Council, Place 3
I’ve always been driven to serve others, starting as a police officer and continuing through leadership roles in the private sector. I’ve learned that real leadership means listening, helping and building better systems. I’ve volunteered extensively in my church, schools and local organizations. With experience in public service, corporate leadership and small business ownership, I know how to work with diverse groups and get results. I’m ready to serve Vestavia Hills as a city councilman.
Vestavia Hills faces challenges like storm flooding on U.S. 31, limited accessible sidewalks, infrastructure sustainability and school development. While each issue matters, our biggest challenge is the lack of a clear, strategic plan to address them. Every resident is affected differently, so priorities vary by perspective. With thoughtful planning and open communication, we can effectively tackle these concerns and deliver lasting improvements that benefit our entire community. It’s time for a more coordinated approach.
I am running because Vestavia Hills deserves to choose from qualified candidates who seek public office not because of a particular issue, but because they want to serve the best interests of the entire community. For 15 years, I have served in various capacities from coaching basketball to being chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission. I am very familiar with how Vestavia Hills operates as a city, and the constraints placed on the city by laws, rules and regulations.
The most pressing issue is how we deal with the city’s natural growth east. I am fond of the quote “a rising tide lifts all boats.” I live in western Vestavia Hills, but most growth is in the east. To maintain the aspects of community that make Vestavia Hills a great place to live, work and play, we need to make sure we provide the same level of services to every part of the city. We need to enhance the quality of life in all communities so we grow together in unity.
One project I would love to champion is bringing a world-class performing arts center to Vestavia. I envision this as a partnership between the city and our schools — creating a valuable resource for students and a revenue generator for the community. Other cities around us are making these investments, and we need to stay competitive to offer the best opportunities for our families.
I believe we’re adding homes too quickly right now. Growth is good when it’s done responsibly, but we must plan for the long term. The revenue from new development is important, but we can’t ignore the costs of maintaining infrastructure and services down the road. Developments like Liberty Park are great, but we must keep up with supporting areas like public safety so our neighborhoods stay safe and strong.
I voted NO on the tax increase. I believe in supporting our schools and paying our teachers well, but I also believe tax hikes must be absolutely necessary and fully transparent. There were still unanswered questions about the impact, and I don’t want to leave our children and grandchildren with more debt. Vestavia has one of the best school systems in the country, and I’ll work to make sure our schools have what they need in a fiscally responsible way.
I would champion economic development without raising taxes. Sustainable growth strengthens our tax base, allowing us to fund services and maintain quality of life without burdening residents. By attracting businesses and supporting responsible residential development, we can invest in key priorities like first responders and ensuring parents’ voices are heard in schools. While I care about all three, economic development is the foundation that enables Vestavia Hills to thrive and meet future needs effectively.
The city’s growth is steady, but it must follow a clear, strategic plan — especially regarding schools. Liberty Park sees much of this growth, yet faces infrastructure and accessibility challenges. We need balanced development, including retail and commercial spaces to serve residents. While apartments may offer some value, I generally don’t support them. Our schools seem equipped for now, but we must closely monitor enrollment to ensure we maintain strong education and city services as growth continues.
I initially supported the property tax increase because my wife taught in the system, and we had two children in the schools. But after hearing other views, I began to question it. I’ve seen signs of unnecessary overhead, inflated salaries and positions not directly supporting students or teachers. The school board must ask tougher questions, demand clear data on spending and staffing, hold the administration accountable and be more transparent to reflect the whole community’s concerns.
I would like to foster a business environment that attracts and retains high-end retail, quality restaurants and entertainment options, and opportunities for families to enjoy their community. A great start would be to continue efforts to beautify the entry points of our city. People should know when they are entering or leaving Vestavia Hills, and our residents and visitors should be enticed to shop, dine and play within the city. Attracting and retaining high-end retail reduces the need to raise property taxes.
I believe that the market and available land ultimately dictates the pace of adding homes in all cities, and Vestavia Hills is no exception. The pace can be impacted by city government through planning and zoning, but changes in planning and zoning are slow. Right now, we need to continue to operate within the constraints of the city’s master plan and applicable zoning laws applied in a uniform manner.
Let me be clear. I do not enjoy paying taxes, and if elected, I promise to use tax increases only as a last resort. I did vote for the property tax increase because (1) I believe our schools are the single most important factor in maintaining our home values, and (2) I trust our school board’s assessment of the need for maintenance and improvements necessary to keep our schools performing for our students at a high level.
Michael Vercher for City Council, Place 3
Vestavia Hills Schools Through the Years
Across more than a century, the Vestavia Hills City Schools district has evolved through landmark legislation, historic annexations and unforgettable achievements in academics, athletics and the arts. This timeline traces the key moments that shaped a system known for excellence — past, present and still rising.
● 1948: Vestavia Hills Elementary East opens as a Jefferson County school; its presence spurs incorporation of the city.
● 1950: Vestavia Hills incorporates as a city.
● 1959: Alabama Legislature passes the Independent School District Act, enabling cities to form their own school systems.
● 1967: Pizitz Middle School opens as Vestavia Hills Junior High School, constructed by Jefferson County Schools.
● 1969–1970: Amid federal desegregation orders, residents push to form a city school system.
● 1970: Residents approve a 7.5-mill tax increase to fund the school system (vote: 1,625–1,404). City Council appoints the first five-member school board: Guy H. Caffey Jr., Douglas Corretti, Bill Harbert, Bill C. Hill and Sara Wuska. William T. Clark is hired as first superintendent.
● 1972: Vestavia Hills Junior High School re-dedicated as Pizitz Middle School.
● 1976: Voters approve a 2.25-mill tax increase to build Vestavia Hills Elementary West on land donated by the Wald family.
● 1980: VHHS football team wins first state championship under coach Buddy Anderson.
● 1990: Tax increase passed to build schools in Liberty Park.
● 1992: Liberty Park annexed into city; Liberty Park Elementary opens in 1999.
● 1994: VHHS baseball team, coached by Sammy Dunn, wins first of 7 straight state titles and 9 total in his tenure (647–146 career record).
● 1996: Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation established as a nonprofit to fund professional development, technology, and classroom enhancements, benefiting every grade, subject and student.
● 2004: VHHS debate coach Marilee Dukes inducted into National Forensics League Hall of Fame and the Tournament of Champions Coaches Hall of Fame. VHHS debate becomes a national powerhouse with seven national titles and becoming the first team ever to win both Lincoln-Douglas and Policy Debate at the National Forensic League championship.
● 2006: VHHS math team wins national Mu Alpha Theta competition, part of a streak of 15 national titles and 2 runner-up finishes in 17 years, establishing national dominance.
SCHOOLS
CONTINUED from page 1
“I was the token female,” Wuska, now 94, recently told Vestavia Voice. “I was a busybody. I was in there behind the scenes. And I knew how to keep my mouth shut when I should. …
“And so the first meeting was on May the 5th, the night following the appointment of the school board. And between May the 5th and June the 10th, when a superintendent was named, there were 17 meetings of the school board.”
She would go on to chair the board, serve on the city council and become the first female mayor of Vestavia Hills.
But at that moment, she was just trying to help launch something new — something that mattered.
“We told the people we wanted to provide quality education and excellence,” she said.
At the heart of Vestavia Hills beats a school system born in a fraught moment of history — yet forged with a vision of academic excellence that has defined the city ever since.
Conceived during the early tremors of desegregation, launched with a maneuver to acquire school buildings without payment and placed under immediate federal scrutiny, the Vestavia Hills City Schools were controversial before the first class was seated.
But what followed was not defiance, but determination. Community leaders met oversight with strategy and structure, and ultimately went beyond what was required of them. In doing so, they held control — and kept federal intervention at bay.
● 2007: Federal court declares VHCS has achieved unitary status, ending more than three decades of desegregation oversight.
● 2008: Liberty Park Middle School opens.
● 2010: VHHS varsity cheerleaders win national championship in Orlando, claiming first place in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships “super large” division.
● 2016: VHHS retires Rebel Man mascot and “Dixie” fight song, rebranding the Rebel identity.
● 2019: Vestavia Hills Elementary Dolly Ridge opens in the former Gresham Elementary School building after renovations.
● 2020: VHHS Rebelettes Dance Team wins its first national championship.
● 2025: VHHS debate team wins fourth straight state championship (seventh in nine years), with multiple individual champions. VHHS math team repeats as state champion. VHHS junior varsity cheerleaders win third consecutive national championship. VHHS caps its 2024–25 sports year with state titles in girls soccer, boys tennis, girls tennis and boys track and field, giving the school 79 state titles since 1976.
Over more than five decades, they delivered what they promised: a system that is year in, year out, among Alabama’s very best. The school system became the city’s soul — anchoring civic life, driving smart annexation and giving residents a shared identity grounded in ambition, achievement and care.
“The school system is our golden goose,” said Jeff Downes, Vestavia Hills’ city manager. “It’s the number one reason people move here.”
In Vestavia Hills, the schools didn’t just shape the city. They built it.
THE ORIGINS
Vestavia Hills was founded in 1950. By the late 1960s, as the city’s population grew and Jefferson County classrooms swelled beyond capacity, civic leaders began to talk seriously about forming their own school system. The turning point came in 1970, when city officials, frustrated with the lack of space and services, turned to a little-known law passed by the Alabama Legislature in 1959.
“The Legislature in August of 1959 enacted a law called the Independent School District Act,” said Pat Boone, the longtime city attorney. “It says that if there’s a municipality, and if we have schools in our district, then if we form a school board, that board automatically takes title to the schools located in the city. No payment due. Period.”
Pleasant Grove in western Jefferson County struck first. Then neighboring Homewood. Wuska and other leaders in Vestavia were
watching closely. So were the residents.
Not everyone agreed that splitting from Jefferson County was wise. In a letter to The Birmingham News ahead of the vote, W.P. Ayres, a Vestavia resident, warned of unanswered questions about funding, equity and long-term feasibility. “Can we lose more than we gain,” he wrote, “by surrendering our equity in the Jefferson County School Board’s financial resources, personnel pools and properties?”
Boone was a young lawyer then, working alongside then-lead city attorney Bob Vance. Vance would later become one of the most respected federal judges in the South. In 1989, he was assassinated by a white supremacist in a mail bomb attack. But in 1970, he was the legal architect helping Vestavia navigate the formation of its own school system — and the pressures that would soon follow.
“Our forefathers had studied the idea of forming our own school system back in the ’60s, but decided it wasn’t financially feasible,” Boone said. “By 1970, we didn’t have a choice. We had to do it.”
From the start, the new school system was under the microscope.
“Our city council held hands with our Board of Education,” Boone said. “They said, ‘We’re in it with you. We’re going to help you.’ And they did.”
FEDERAL OVERSIGHT
Just one year after the system was formed, the all-white city found itself in court, facing a challenge that it was in violation of court orders by having no Black students. Pressure mounted that Vestavia Hills be forced to bus Black students in from the Oxmoor Valley area of Birmingham.
“Judge (Sam) Pointer said, ‘You’re going to bus them in the seventh grade,’” Boone recalled, referring to a key provision in the 1965 Linda Stout vs. Jefferson County desegregation case. “And Bob Vance said, ‘Don’t give them to us in seventh. Give them to us in first grade. We’ll teach them.’”
Vance’s line became a defining moment — not just for the case, but for Vestavia’s approach. The city didn’t resist desegregation in the courts. It complied early — and visibly — with legal guidance from a man whose own commitment to justice would later cost him his life.
That courtroom moment became a defining symbol of the city’s stance during desegregation. Behind the scenes, Boone said, the schools did more than the law required.
“Our male employees went down into the Wenonah-Oxmoor area,” Boone said. “Some of those houses didn’t even have running water. They said, ‘We’re here to help you. We’ll register you. We want you in our schools.’”
The system’s compliance was extensive — and exacting. But it also ensured that Vestavia, unlike other Southern districts, kept control of its schools without federal seizure or forced restructuring.
But it was under federal court supervision for more than three decades. And every year, Boone delivered compliance reports to the Department of Justice.
“For 34 years, I personally walked the reports into the Justice Department,” he said. “It was an
Former Vestavia Hills Mayor Sara Wuska greets longtime city attorney Pat Boone after Boone spoke about key moments in the city’s history at a forum hosted by the Vestavia Hills Historical Society on April 21, 2025. Photo by Tim Stephens.
emotional day when we got that ruling.”
That ruling came in December 2007, when the federal government declared that Vestavia Hills City Schools had achieved unitary status — legal shorthand for the end of oversight. The case went to federal judge Virginia Emerson Hopkins. Public hearings gave voice to both supporters of granting that status, as well as opponents who argued Vestavia Hills had not done enough to warrant removal of federal supervision.
In its petition for dismissal in 2006, Vestavia Hills proposed to continue to hire Black teachers. And it made a promise to Black students from the Wenonah-Oxmoor area who had been bussed into Vestavia for school.
“What we wanted to do was, Wenonah-Oxmoor people, if you have students that are attending our school system now, they can finish,” Boone said. “No matter if they’re in the first grade, they can come all the way through the 12th grade. And if they’ve got a day-old sibling, that sibling is eligible for 18 years. That’s what our plan was.”
After a year of review, the final decision came in.
“We had never had a single complaint,” Boone recalled. “We sent 22,000 pages of documentation. The NAACP’s lawyer read every one. He said, ‘You’ve done it right. We agree to your plan.’”
The DOJ echoed that assessment in court filings: “It is the opinion of the United States that the Vestavia Hills School District has complied with its desegregation obligations and federal law.”
Twenty-two thousand pages — reviewed, vetted and approved.
Case dismissed.
“That was one of the happiest days I’ve had in this work,” Boone said.
THE GOLDEN GOOSE
City leaders say the impact of the school system is hard to overstate.
The city’s residential growth, economic development and civic identity are all intertwined with the schools, said Downes, the city manager. Athletic fields, parks, sidewalks and road improvements have followed population shifts — and school zones.
“Most people have families and children that have made their way through the school system,” he said. “So just following and matriculating through the school system places you in all parts of the city.”
Mayor Ashley Curry agreed. Vestavians are united in their Rebel pride.
“The number one response [on our annual citizen surveys] is because of the excellence in the schools.”
That quality has roots. From the very beginning planning stages before the very first vote, it was about establishing great schools.
“They wanted to create a culture of excellence,” Curry said.
For decades, that spirit coexisted with a set of symbols that were not seen as unifying by all. The high school mascot was a Rebel Man, an Old South plantation owner. The fight song was “Dixie.”
As the country’s conversation on race evolved, Vestavia’s mascot became a flashpoint — locally and nationally. In 2015, HBO’s John Oliver skewered Vestavia on “Last Week Tonight” for defending the Confederate imagery: “Your logo is a plantation owner,” Oliver said, before mocking the position that the image wasn’t racist.
The following year, Vestavia retired both
From left, Douglas Corretti, Bill Harbert, Sara Wuska, Guy Caffey and Bill Hill are shown after being appointed as the first Vestavia Hills Board of Education by Mayor Robert Guillot during a City Council meeting. This photo appeared in the May 5, 1970, edition of the now-defunct Birmingham Post-Herald. Retrieved from Newspapers.com.
Rebel Man and the fight song. Armed with a rebrand and a statement that it is a “core belief” to “condemn the scourge of racism and bigotry,” the school redefined being a Rebel as “defying cultural norms and expectations,” and “pursuing excellence not only in the classroom or ball field, but in the community and throughout the world.”
Vestavia Hills City Schools have consistently ranked among Alabama’s elite. Its graduation rate hovers near 99%. Test scores routinely exceed both state and national averages — ACT scores, reading and math proficiency, and college placement rates all among the best in the South. The district maintains a student-to-teacher ratio of just 14-to-1, and about 20% of its students today are minorities — a far cry from the allwhite classrooms that prompted federal oversight decades ago. On average, 18 to 25 students are recognized as National Merit Semi-Finalists each year. Graduating seniors in 2025 were offered more than $46 million in scholarships.
“It’s most humbling to be recognized for something, but it’s also a reminder of how truly excellent our school system is – and has been for a long time,” Superintendent Todd Freeman told the school board on June 23 after being named the state’s Superintendent of the Year. “I really am just a beneficiary of it. I’m a parent in this school system. I get to benefit from it like we all do, a school system that has, since April 1970, been an outstanding school system.”
For today’s students, that legacy of excellence shows up in different ways.
For Sarah White, a member of the Class of 2025, it meant qualifying for the robotics world championship — and realizing just how far a Vestavia education could take her. “It was just a moment when we felt like we’d accomplished so much,” she said. “And it was really cool to go to Dallas and see teams from all over the world.”
For Audrey Martin, it was the sense of belonging she saw in her classmates. “I feel like everyone has some sort of representation in this class,” she said. “Not just within people groups, but in every personality. Everyone here feels like they belong somewhere.”
From future governors, to future Major Leaguers to even the reigning Miss America, Vestavia Hills has produced big dreamers and big achievers.
“It worked because we cared,” Boone said. “It worked because we worked at it. It worked because the people wouldn’t let it fail. This isn’t just a place where people live. It’s a place where people show up, where they put their heart into it.”
Wuska was one of those people. Boone credits her determination from the start. Things could have turned out differently, he said, if not for the leadership of the “smartest, most talented, most popular young lady on this mountain.”
At a Vestavia Hills Historical Society event earlier this year, Boone was nearly moved to tears as Wuska, vibrant still as she greeted him, reached out a hand.
“Sara, this is the hardest job,” he told her. “I salute you. I can’t brag on you enough. You did the lifting — you and your other former members.”
Wuska, her voice firm even 55 years later, saw it simply: “We wanted a good education for these children,” she said, “and I think we got it.”
Correspondent Emily Reed and Starnes Media Creator Collective student journalist Cora Maddox of Vestavia Hills High School contributed to this report.
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