54 were here. A federal judge later tossed out the decisions, but not before the matter helped spark the largest civil rights march in the South since the famous Selma-to-Montgomery march in 1965. speckle park bull sales 2021 847-461-9794; fayette, alabama city council. The Rule of One really was broken. Hed never told her about the notes he got in his mailbox with messages like Shut your mouth, n-----. Or the restraint he had to summon to ask White colleagues who still used the term boy to refer to Black men: If you know the gentlemans name, would you please call him by his name? He had not told her about feeling like you werent there.. Charles P Pierce is the author of four books, most recently Idiot America, and has been a working journalist since 1976. A sign for a business in Virettia's ward. Youre going to see some things, Cedric said. What bothered her was not Scottie Porters lawsuit or social media postings exactly, but the silence. Pictured is the Fayette Civic Center, where the Fayette municipal elections will take place from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Phone-Number: 334-864-7181 Meeting-Type: regular Submission . Someappointees must have special licenses ormeet certain professional requirements. Posted-By: City of LaFayette, Alabama City Council: Meeting-Date: 2/28/2023 Meeting-Time: 5:30 PM: Notice History: Meeting-Location: FARMERS FEDERATION(ALFA) BUILDING 1006 AVENUE A SE LAFAYETTE, AL 36862. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Fayette has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. ? her cousin wrote. Virettia was alone in her office, and after she hung up, she allowed herself a moment to feel an unexpected sense of vindication. She listened for a moment as he responded mm hmm, she said, mm hmm and then, growing impatient, she did what she finally had the power to do. Board of Alderman . The Civic Center will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary on March 25th. Any discussion around that? the mayor said. All the White department heads were going to be fired. Four days later, a sheriffs deputy knocked on her door and handed her a lawsuit aimed at overturning her election based on the residency issue. 433 Hay Street She took a deep breath and ventured into a subdivision called Haughton Acres, walking up to houses flying Trump flags, and as the campaign went on, the rest of the town realized this was no ordinary election. You can also pay your bill on-line. All of the City Council's regular meetings are broadcast live onFayTV, the City of Fayetteville's Government Access Channel. How he wasnt exactly upset that he lost, but that he lost behind all those things that were said by people he thought he could trust. Rent out our incredible multipurpose complex for your next event. There used to be no Black, Cedric said. Residents sit outside Mayfair Manor. Her best friend was running in the traditionally Black ward. Like spitting on the sidewalk. She had often stared at the Trailblazer Award hanging on his living room wall, but she had not asked him about his experience, and he had not offered many details. The same dreams and enthusiasm are still alive today in companies founded in Fayette. Mike, come in here, Virettia said, waving him in. Virettia had always thought of her town as a nice place to live but a hard place to be anybody unless your granddaddys uncles cousins a somebody. For a while, her father had been somebody the citys first Black councilman but that was long ago, and she had always wondered what to make of his silence about the experience. We would love to have you come and visit Fayette County and see rural living at its best! Aliska Hughes-Monroe, Virettia's best friend, was elected in November to represent Ward 4. She was on her own. Cumberland County falls under the requirements of the Federal Voting Rights Act. Copy editing by Wayne Lockwood. Its me. Maintain a leisurely lifestyle featuring natural beauty and historic architecture in the city limits, while still enjoying the fast pace activities of nearby Auburn/Opelika (30 miles), Montgomery (70 miles), Atlanta (80 miles) or Birmingham (120 miles). Im getting tired of this, Virettia said. THE TIMES-RECORD PO DRAWER 159 FAYETTE, AL 35555 . We may earn a commission from these links. Each office holder is elected to a four year term. Of the four Black candidates who ran, they were the two who had won. Shown from left: Councilman Cedric Wilson (sitting in chair at far left), Councilman Jerry Nichols, Councilman Jason Cowart, Mayor Ray Nelson, City Clerk Dawn Clapp, Councilwoman Linda McCraw and Councilman Eddy Campbell. Each council member is assigned oversight for a unit of city government. The Council holds special meetings whennecessary; notice of the meeting must begiven to the public and media 48 hoursbefore that meeting. About 12.5% of families and 18.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 22.9% of those age 65 or over. Check out the Gas Board website. The Fayette Art Museum has over 5,000 pieces of art by nationally recognized artists. She walked by the men chatting in the corridor and took her seat next to her colleagues, wondering if they had supported Scotties lawsuit. She saw Black women changing politics across the South including next door in Georgia, and soon she was posting a statement on Facebook titled My Why: I am running because Im a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and I am committed to our city, its residents and making local government work better for everyone.. The tentacles are just so far-reaching, Scottie said. Ultimately, Donald Trump Beat the System. What is the reason for that? She had imagined a big speech about love and fear and bravery that would end with her telling people, It doesnt matter if youre rich, poor, old, young, Black or White, I care about you. Subscribe now! (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post). .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}In her latest work, McCrummen tells the tale of a Black woman named Virettia Whiteside, a member of the city council in a place called Fayette, Alabama. Incumbent Jason Cowart did not qualify for re-election in Ward Three, leaving qualifiers Brad Cox and Tommy Williams to battle for the position. The volunteerswho are appointed to the boards andcommissions serve as the link that connectsthe public to its governing body and serve asadvisors who make recommendations thathelp shape the policies and programs ofFayetteville. Thornell authors economic development book. She was walking home on her first day of school when a classmate started pushing her, and another girl told her, Youre going to have to fight. Virettia had never fought in her life but standing there in the strange snow in a strange city, she realized no one was coming to help. A small rural town might not be expected to provide an environment for innovation or acceptance of changing economic trends, but our city has initiated many new products and embraced the evolving business world. The local radio stations are WLDX Big Cat and WTXT. Tornado activity: Fayette-area historical tornado activity is slightly above Alabama state average.It is 134% greater than the overall U.S. average.. On 4/3/1974, a category F5 (max. BOX 87 LAFAYETTE, AL 36862. Call us today to get any more information about our county. The cameraman who live-streamed all the council meetings swung the lens toward Virettia, who cleared her throat. How White colleagues hed come to consider friends after 24 years on the council had backed off supporting him after the rumors started that he had recruited all the Black candidates to run at once, which was not true. Listen to me. If you wish to speak before the City Council you may fill out a Request Form that can be found on the main menu under About > Council Meetings. The mayor acts as theofficial head of City government and presidesat City Council meetings. BOTTOM LEFT: Residents sit outside Mayfair Manor. The Fayetteville City Council has establishedboards and commissions. History [ edit] Originally known as "La Fayette", it incorporated on January 15, 1821. The only municipal election within the county this year will occur on Aug. 25 in the City of Fayette, with every position on the ballot being contested. Were you a slave? yelled her daughter, getting up to leave as the meeting degenerated into a tense silence, and when it was over, Virettia called Cedric. The mega-rich. Please join me, the Council and others of our community as we strive to make Fayette an even better place to live, work and play. June 2, 2022 by by The Fayette City Council is shown at its Sept. 1 meeting that was called to certify the election. The mayor is elected at-large. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), TOP: Virettia talks with a resident at the Mayfair Manor apartments in Fayette. Few people will say what I say, but people in this town were scared to death. Any of you want to talk further on this? the mayor said, turning to his right and then turning to Virettia, who shook her head no. Now he spent most days at his antique store, happy to share with anyone who asked his belief that if all the Black candidates had won, Fayette would have soon resembled another Alabama town he knew of, an hour to the south, which in his mind had been a charming place when White people had the majority on the City Council. The situation became so delicate that when local ministers held a prayer vigil for racial justice during the height of nationwide protests, an organizer quietly asked people not to bring Black Lives Matter signs for fear of confirming the imagined apocalypse. The Fayetteville City Council is the electedgoverning body representing the citizens ofFayetteville. Posted-By: City of LaFayette, Alabama City Council: Meeting-Date: 2/1/2023 Meeting-Time: 4:30PM: Notice History: Meeting-Location: 50 Alabama Avenue West P. O. You see what Im saying? Comes now the Plaintiff Scottie Carl Porter she read, recognizing the name of a man she only knew as the owner of an antique store downtown and a superfan of President Donald Trump who had lost his own bid for City Council. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. What do you expect people to do???? There were 2,336 housing units at an average density of 273.0 per square mile (105.4/km2). For additional information on events at the Civic Center or to host an event at the Civic Center, please contact Glenda Robertson at 205-932-8727. The story takes a twist at the end which I will not reveal, but suffice it to say that McCrummen has brought us a cautionary tale from a small place that brings us a lesson about a number of big things, including who we really are as a nation, which should stump us no longer. Oh no, youre not going there, said the White woman. This aint the half of it, baby.. CountyOffice.org does not provide consumer reports and is not a consumer reporting agency as defined by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Im talking to you all, Ericka said. No councilor lives in Ward 1; slap out of luck!. The population was 4,619 at the 2010 census, [2] down from 4,922 at the 2000 census. He needs to go to the hospital.. Preachers: nothing. All of that was still in the air as Virettia, preparing for the first full City Council meeting, drove through town one day with her friend Aliska Hughes-Monroe, the new councilwoman from the traditionally Black ward, to see about a zoning issue. But no one wants to talk about race in this town, she said. In 2005, City Council began holding informalwork sessions on the first Monday of eachmonth. Fayette County Circuit Clerk Democratic Party Samantha Howard (205) 932-4617 Website Fayette County Coroner Republican Party Timothy "TK" Kimbrell (205) 361-4828 Fayette County Probate Judge Republican Party Mike Freeman (205) 932-4519 Fayette County Sheriff Republican Party Byron Yerby (205) 932-3205 Email: info@fayetteso.com Website The new mayor had told Virettia he supported her but had said nothing publicly. Four Black candidates were running for major positions, something that had never happened before in Fayette. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), During her campaign, Virettia knocked on doors in Haughton Acres, a predominantly white, middle-class neighborhood in her ward. [3] A city residentwishing to become mayor must specificallyrun for that office. That creates the opportunity for minority representation on the council roughly equal to minority representation within thecity'spopulation. Fayette City Council certifies election results. The Rot Beneath Green Labels on Forestry Products, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The population was 4,619 at the 2010 census,[2] down from 4,922 at the 2000 census. Jeremy Dawson . Terms and Conditions. Yeah you had mfs like me and my sis in your corner, Virettia wrote back. The womans daughter stood up: My daddy would roll over in his grave if he knew there was a double-wide in there I cannot believe this, she said. [3] When Fayette County was created in 1824, the town's name was officially changed to "Fayette Court House", though it was also known as "Fayetteville", which was the name shown on maps and on the U.S. Census in 1880 and 1890. City government is comparable to a private corporation under the council/manager form of government. The racial makeup of the city was 75.34% White, 23.38% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Council meetingsare held in the first floor Council Chamber ofCity Hall, 433 Hay St. Our county is fortunate to have an abundance of industries ranging from agricultural and timber to industrial manufacturing. Cotton fields, such as this one in Fayette, still permeate the South. And I think developing those relationships is a good thing, the mayor said, moving on. Here we go pothole, pothole, pothole, Virettia said as they headed into Aliskas ward on the west side of town, past the wood-frame houses and churches where theyd both grown up in families that went back generations in Fayette. Fayette is a city in Fayette County, Alabama. LaFayettes proximity, transportation options, access to outdoor activities and major sporting events makes it a perfect place to live, raise a family, do business or just visit. She got up and followed the sound outside where she found a tenant she knew as a veteran with PTSD, saying over and over I did a lot of bad things, and so she had held his hand for a while, saying We serve a God thats a forgiving God until he calmed down. So, when Whiteside won her council seat, in which she represents a mixed-race district, and a friend of hers won the traditional Black seat, there were two Black citizens on the city council of Fayette, Alabama, which proceeded to lose a bit of its mind. The City Council appoints a manager who carries out the laws and policies enacted by Council. But getting back to what you were saying, baby.. Virettia put the cap on her pen, and a few minutes later, the meeting was over. On Election Day, someone called police to report a possible fight outside a polling place, which turned out to be Virettia and the other Black candidates who were outside greeting voters when the sirens came screaming, and through it all, Virettia tried to maintain her composure. For every 100 females, there were 88.6 males. Not that Virettia, who had never been in Scotties store and had never been one of the people he sometimes invited in for afternoon tea and conversations amid the antiques, had heard him say any of this; she only had the lawsuit, along with her own knowledge that it was precisely because of what had happened in Aliceville and places like it that in 1988, Black voters in Fayette were able to elect the towns first Black councilperson, who happened to be her father. Im right here, she said to the woman. But at a moment when old political orthodoxies were being challenged all the way down to small towns in the rural South, there were now two Black women on the Fayette City Council: one representing the Black ward, and Virettia Whiteside, 35, manager of two apartment complexes across from a vestigial cotton field on the east side of town. Here lately Ive just been down in the dumps, the woman said, and after they talked awhile, another tenant came by to discuss her sons mental illness. There were 11 provisional ballots counted in the final results of the Fayette municipal election, and four provisional ballots cast were ruled ineligible to be counted. The multiracial tenants include fast-food workers, veterans and elderly and disabled people. I know its hard youre his mom and thats your baby, but Im here, Virettia said, waving over another tenant behind on his rent. She told Virettia she wanted to speak on her behalf at the meeting, but by now Virettia had decided she needed to speak for herself. With a beginning as one of the earliest settlements in West Alabama, Fayette grew with the region to become a provider of initiatives that have enriched our people with an environment of willingness to dream. Hey Jerry, the mayor said to one of the other councilmen as he came in. Citizens only vote for a candidate running in their respective districts. Fayette is organized in a mayor-council form of city government, with a mayor elected citywide and five council members elected from districts. Fayette County was founded on December 20, 1824 by an act of the Alabama Legislature and was named in honor of Revolutionary War hero General Marquis de Lafayette. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,285 people, 1,888 households, and 1,178 families residing in the city. Learn about the services they provide and their interest in your safety. It began with the gift from Lois Wilson, a Fayette native, of her art collection, which ultimately totaled 2,600 pieces of her own and of other artists' work. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), Fayette maintains a Civil War monument downtown. It was a small town. That the judge had dismissed the lawsuit. Hes sick. The city had 4,285 residents as of 2020, according to the United States Census Bureau. However, that was far from the actual reason, as Porter made clear to McCrummen. Virettia talks with a resident at the Mayfair Manor apartments in Fayette. The City Clerk's Office maintainsmeeting minutesfrom City Council meetings and publishes a schedule of upcoming City Council meetings. Individuals are also encouraged to become members. And so she had told herself, Stay cool, calm and collected. She had kept reminding herself: I am the first to sit up here for Ward One., She kept thinking about Ericka and Mike and the people counting on her to succeed, and about Cedric, her father and the people who had come before, and for that matter the people who might come after, and she kept telling herself what she knew to be true: This is bigger than me. She was a full-fledged councilwoman without challenge. We are conveniently located 40 miles from the City of Tuscaloosa and approximately 90 miles to the City of Birmingham. Check back often to see our calendar of upcoming events and our latest county job openings. It wasnt just the house she had bought in another ward, he said, explaining why he opposed her election. LaFayette, Alabama maps, city districts, nearby cities, location For a full list of our elected officials and department heads including contact information, click here. It was a resident from somewhere in her ward, telling Virettia that her son was in the county jail and was in need of medical attention. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), Virettia stands in Mayfair Manor's Community Room. We just havent said anything about it. A few days later, Virettia was still upset, and when a tenant whod helped on her campaign stopped by her office, she started telling her what had happened. Review our. She pretended like she didnt see me. Mayor and City Council Members. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), TOP: Despite aging buildings and the occasional downed sign, Fayette has been trying to revive its downtown area. Her first chance to say something came with the first item on the agenda, covid-19. The Fayette Art Museum was founded in 1969 by Fayette City Council and Jack Black, who was the Musuem's Director for 35 years. She was sued by a local white antique dealer named Scottie Porter, a failed council candidate himself and a Trumper to boot, who sought to invalidate Whitesides election on spurious residency grounds. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. One on the abatement board in a town that was roughly 73 percent White and 24 percent Black. She was raising two sons. Hey Jordan, she said, and began telling him what the woman had told her. In addition to these . Drop by between 6:30 and 8:30 PM for free refreshments and a visit. Aliska Hughes-Monroe and Scottie Carl Porter are seeking the council position in Ward Four. Im telling you this is the best Ive seen him.. Posted-By: City of LaFayette, Alabama City Council: Meeting-Date: 2/13/2023 Meeting-Time: 5:30 PM: Notice History: Meeting-Location: FARMERS FEDERATION(ALFA) BUILDING 1006 AVENUE A SE LAFAYETTE, AL 36862. The mayor is avoting member of the Council. The age distribution was 21.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% 65 or older. Rod, Jerry, Eddy, Tommy, and at the far end of the dais was Councilwoman Virettia Whiteside, now writing something down to keep herself focused. Stand behind me show up! Virettia had texted then. We could never have death panels where you start euthanizing people, but I believe that. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), LEFT: Antiques store owner Scottie Porter lost a lawsuit against Virettia that disputed her eligibility to hold office in Ward 1 because she owns a home outside of it. Despite aging buildings and the occasional downed sign, Fayette has been trying to revive its downtown area. 32.8% of households were one person and 14.0% were one person aged 65 or older. Besides Virettia, her cousin was running for a seat on the five-member City Council in another mostly White ward. The mayor acts as the official head of city government and presides at City Council meetings. Citizens are both stockholders and customers; the elected body represents the board of directors and the manager is the chief executive officer responsible for the daily operations of the corporation. Contact Glenda for availability and services provided by the staff. Council Meetings - Fayette, Alabama City Council Meetings begin at 5:00 PM on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month in the City Hall. The former councilman from that ward was running for mayor, and soon rumors started flying. Gas: 205-932-5269 After Hours: 205-270-0088. About Us Contact Us They drove past the apartments, past an old plantation house, a Christian supply store and out along a strip of highway where there was a Ford dealership, two local banks and a small airport. Fayette has a variety of things to see and do during your visit. Over the course of its history our town has been the starting point of many endeavors that became larger than the the city itself. Look at the state Constitution. At the 2010 census there were 4,619 people, 1,924 households, and 1,206 families living in the city. (Jared Ragland for The Washington Post), A corkboard at Mayfair Manor displays a newspaper clipping about Virettia's council election win in November. We are also the home of the Sipsey Arts Alliance. Climate Normals Quick Access", "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013", "Art by Lois Wilson, known for work on found objects, to be shown starting Monday at BPL (Video)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fayette,_Alabama&oldid=1124978588, Lois Wilson, Outsider artist subject of the documentary, This page was last edited on 1 December 2022, at 15:19. Others with regional and national reputations have also called Fayette home. Others with regional and national reputations have also called Fayette home. There is Opportunity for You in Fayette! Fayette Map. Phone-Number: 334-864-7181 Meeting-Type: regular Submission-datetime: 1/23/2023 . In the row behind them, Virettia sat with Ericka, a hand on her shoulder, thinking this would not be happening, not in this way, if Ericka were White. Eddie Williams is on it, Cedric said. Find Vital Records and Voter Records related to Fayette City Hall. City of LaFayette 50 Alabama Ave W LaFayette, Alabama 36862 334-864-7181 info@cityoflafayetteal.com. Our county is a wonderful place to live with tremendous opportunities for growth, development, and industrial development with our proximity to the I-22 Corridor. When a rumor started that her candidacy was illegal because she had recently bought a house in another ward, she explained that yes, she had bought the house she hoped to live in someday but as her tax returns, voter registration, bills and sworn oath indicated, she lived with her sons in an apartment at Mayfair Manor. Our county encompasses 630 square miles of beautiful farmland, forest, and private property. Bevill State Community College has a location in Fayette. [15]. Virettia took a deep breath. Virettia held her hand as the board voted, each of the White members siding with the White neighbors, and the one Black board member siding with Ericka, thwarting the unanimous vote needed to block the trailer. Councilwoman Aliska Hughes-Monroe was absent from the meeting with all other council members present. Mayor of Fayette / 660-248-5246 . Learn about the county commission that cares for our region of Alabama. Location of Fayette in Fayette County, Alabama. Now she called Cedric Wilson, the former city councilman who had lost his bid for mayor. City of Fayetteville We have a place for you, a place where your dreams can have a beginning. BOTTOM RIGHT: Cotton fields, such as this one in Fayette, still permeate the South. One Black person on the City Council. One percent of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. . Wednesday, August 19, 2020 - 11:04:46 AM. He needs to go to the doctor. At the 2000 census there were 4,922 people, 2,092 households, and 1,303 families living in the city. Males had a median income of $29,857 versus $21,899 for females. And I said, Sure is, which in his mind was the put-down of the century, a luxury he would normally not allow himself. The City of LaFayette, Alabama, the county seat of Chambers County, in East Central Alabama provides the perfect balance between rural and urban life. One on the zoning board. She said he was being ignored, that he needed help and she needed help, and so Virettia called a deputy at the jail, a White man she knew who was planning to run for sheriff and would need her support. . TheFayetteville City Councilis an elected body representing the citizens of Fayetteville. The Fayette City Council meets the Second and Fourth Tuesday of each month. Vying for office in Ward One are Steve Herring, Kevin Rhudy and Virettia L. Whiteside. In her new role, she works to help people beyond the complex. Across many fields of endeavor Fayette has been the starting point for people with great ideas, energy and expectations for tomorrow. The per capita income for the city was $16,602. Seeking the position of mayor, replacing retiring Mayor Ray Nelson, will be: Kevin Bass, Rod Northam, Max Weaver and current City Councilman Cedric Wilson. Its mine. In the afternoon, she read a complaint that a constituent had posted on Facebook: asking for my neighbors and friends in ward one now that the new City transition has taken place who can they ask about someone fixing a water leak., Hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!" The meeting begins at 5 PM at the Fayette City Hall, 204 Temple Avenue North.
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