By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – While three City Council incumbents were unopposed, two Montevallo City Council battles will be decided during the municipal election Aug. 28.

Incumbent City Council members Rusty Nix, Willie Goldsmith and Sharon Gilbert will fill Council Districts 1-3, respectively.

COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

Brandon Broadhead, Don Hughes and Jason Peterson are campaigning for the Council District 4 seat.

Broadhead is a fulltime firefighter and paramedic with the city of Homewood, and as served as a volunteer firefighter with the Montevallo Fire Department since 2003. He also served as the deputy fire marshal in Montevallo for three years.

“I believe the city has a lot of potential for growth and improvement, and I think some new, young, energetic leaders are essential,” Broadhead said. “I am also a firm believer in core services such as police and fire, which are essential for the protection of our citizens.”

Hughes was the Montevallo city administrator for 14 years before becoming the first Shelby County manager for three years and public works director for seven years. He retired after 27 years.

“I graduated from the University of Montevallo and remained in the city since 1964,” Hughes said. “I wish to help the city progress and remain a great place to live.”

Peterson is a senior microcomputer specialist who has been on contract with the University of Montevallo for the past nine years. He said he decided to run for city council because he can contribute to the council and people of Montevallo.

“Montevallo is a great small town, but there are things that could be improved, such as public infrastructure, growing the local business community and providing more entertainment opportunities in town,” Peterson said. “The city’s comprehensive plan has a lot of good ideas in it, and we need to find ways to make them happen.”

COUNCIL DISTRICT 5

Jonathan Danzer qualified to run against incumbent Dee Woodham to represent Council District 5.

Danzer, a firefighter for the city of Birmingham, said he is running to become more involved in his city of residence.

“Currently, I feel the city is ignoring its core services, such as police and fire. This is becoming a safety issue for its citizens,” Danzer said. “I also feel the city is sinking money into projects that will not benefit the city in the future.”

Woodham retired in 2005 as the executive vice president and managing director of Compass Bank, now BBVA/Compass, in the wealth management division. She then opened Spring Creek Investments, LLC, an institutional investment consulting firm, in Montevallo.

“Some of my goals in running for re-election are the same as the goals I had four years ago: transparency in government, sound fiscal planning and accountability and infrastructure improvements to help develop our business base,” Woodham said. “I believe that progress will continue through the recently established Montevallo Development Cooperative District, a joint community development effort between the city, county and University of Montevallo.

“I believe the changes and growth that will result from this partnership will lead the city I love much closer to achieving its mission of ‘college culture/country charm,” she added.