The Tribune
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By Nathan Prewett
LEEDS — At a regular meeting on Monday, April 19, the Leeds City Council considered revoking the licenses of two businesses in Leeds. See LEEDS COUNCIL, Page 4
Argo council approves promotion for officer Alan Busler By Erik Harris, sports editor
ARGO — The Argo City Council on Monday approved a promotion for police officer Alan Busler. Busler, who started with the Argo Police Department as a reserve officer seven years ago, was approved for the bump to captain during Monday’s council meeting. See ARGO OFFICER, Page 6
Alabama Gov. Ivey signs ban on transgender athletes By Kim Chandler Associated Press
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Republican Gov. Kay Ivey on Friday signed legislation restricting transgender students from participating in K-12 sports, making Alabama the latest conservative state to ban transgender girls from playing on female sports teams. See TRANSGENDER, Page 5
Alabama tourism weathered pandemic better than most states MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Tourist spending in Alabama dropped 20% last year at the height of pandemic lockdowns and business closings, but the state fared better than most during the coronavirus crisis, state tourism officials said. See TOURISM, Page 6
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TRUSSVILLE — A Jefferson County judge ruled in favor of the Jefferson County Personnel Board after over a year and a half of back-andforth between the board and the city of Trussville. The legal battle began in April of 2019 when the city passed an ordinance (2019020 (ADM), to create its own civil service system for city employees and to hire its own Director of Personnel. This, after decades of operating under the Jefferson County Personnel Board. According to court documents, the city notified the JCPB of its intentions. Peggy Polk was appointed to the position of Director of Personnel and the city moved forward with its own civil service system by gathering resumes for at least one job opening and by approving a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for FY-2019.
On Sept. 9, 2019, the city filed for a declaratory judgment on the matter, in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County. The city wanted approval for the separation from the Jefferson County Personnel Board. In court documents, the city cited Alabama Act No. 1945-248, also known as the “Enabling Act.” The act states that municipalities, whose corporate limits lie wholly within Jefferson County and have a population of more than 5,000 people, are required to operate under the Jefferson County Personnel Board. The city also cited an
opinion given by the Attorney General’s Office in June 2019, stating the city did not have to operate with the JCPB because part of the municipality is in St. Clair County. Attorney General Steve Marshall also said in the opinion that over the years, the city of Trussville has not adopted resolutions electing to come under the provisions of the JCPB after annexations into parts of St. Clair County. That is important because part of the Enabling Act required cities to do so, in order to stay with the JCPB. The AG’s opinion also echoed what the city of Trussville’s ordinance
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to create the civil service system stated. In reference to the vested rights of current employees, the ordinance would require that current employees’ rights (pay, vacation, retirement, etc.) would be continued under the new system (Section VIII (b). Both parties also debated some of the language and purpose of the Enabling Act and repeals made to it. Polk has since retired and Mandy Dixon was named Director of Human Resources for the city of Trussville. Trussville has also been operating under the Jefferson County Personnel Board. In court documents, Dixon said the JCPB hiring process is unclear and limits the talent pool when the city is in need of hiring for various positions. She also said the process for offering promotions to existing employees is often made difficult and can take up to two years. See PERSONNEL BOARD, Page 7
By Faith Callens
By Nathan Prewett
MOODY – Expenses for the Doris Stanley Memorial Library (otherwise known as the Moody Public Library) not to exceed $2,000 was approved at a brief meeting of the Moody City Council on Monday, April 26. See MOODY COUNCIL, Page 6
Man steals 8 chainsaws from Trussville Home Depot
See CHAINSAWS, Page 3
Salvation Army provides financial assistance to local tornado victims From The Tribune staff reports
13 agencies come together to form St. Clair County Drug Enforcement Unit Principal Van Phillips spoke at the Tree Planting Ceremony in honor of Mrs. Connie Everett. Photo: Faith Callens.
ny consisted of planting a redleafed tree and a plaque that recognized Everett as a true Eagle in the community. “It took me two weeks to plan this and I came and talked to the principal to see was
she okay with it and I talked with Everett’s daughters and the family and they went on to spread the word,” said Pierce. “I also went on Facebook and to the schools.” Everett was employed
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Fabric Machines Classes Demos
From The Tribune staff reports
with the Jefferson County School District for 22 years and throughout that time, she interacted with many students.
ASHVILLE — The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office announced the formation of a new multi-agency unit to help combat drugs throughout the county.
See EVERETT, Page 5
See DRUG UNIT, Page 4
5886 Trussville Crossings Blvd 205.655.3388
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Expenses for Moody Library’s Summer Reading Program approved at council meeting
See ASSISTANCE, Page 5
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BIRMINGHAM — The Salvation Army of Greater Birmingham’s continues to assist those affected by the Jan. 25 tornado that struck the Fultondale and Center Point communities.
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City of Center Point hosts treeplanting ceremonies in honor of teacher Connie Everett CENTER POINT — April 22, 2021, was not just Earth Day but a special day that faculty and students in the Center Point area will remember forever. There were two tree planting ceremonies held at Erwin Middle School and Center Point High School in honor of Mrs. Connie Everett, who worked as a registrar at Erwin Elementary/ Intermediate, and as an administrative assistant at Erwin Middle and Center Point High School. Everett passed away on March 12, 2021, after losing the battle to throat and lung cancer. A former student, Octavious Pierce, took things into his own hands after he found out about her death. He went to City Hall and spoke with Mayor Bobby Scott. Together, they organized a tree-planting ceremony and dedication service in Everett’s honor. The tree-planting ceremo-
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Jefferson County judge says it’s a no-go for city of Trussville to hire on its own employees By Erica Thomas, managing editor
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www.TrussvilleTribune.com
Apr. 28 - May 4, 2021
Leeds Council decides against revocation of licenses for two businesses
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