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MONTEVALLO – Arthur Herbert has announced his candidacy for Montevallo City Council District 5.

Herbert has represented the city’s fifth district since the council appointed him in June 2019 to fill the seat vacated by Matt Walker.

Herbert said his background in management, education and community engagement translates well into legislative leadership, and he is committed to maintaining government transparency, providing deliberate and thoughtful governance, and conserving and growing the city’s historical, natural and financial resources for current and future generations.

“I believe in responsive representation; community involvement must start with conversations,” Herbert said of his approach to constituent relations and governance. “We will not always agree, but I will always listen to you. I truly believe that diversity of opinion makes for a stronger representative democracy.”

Herbert said he advocates for projects that preserve and protect the city’s natural and human-made resources, grow local businesses, enhance the arts scene and support public schools.

He said he conducts extensive independent research on important issues and is committed to understanding an issue thoroughly before making decisions.

Herbert said he believes diversity of opinion makes for a stronger representative democracy, and citizen input makes for a better Montevallo, and he maintains prompt and detailed communication with his constituents and welcomes their participation in the legislative process.

Herbert was born in Biloxi, Mississippi. As the son of a Navy Corpsman, Herbert spent his formative years moving between Naval duty stations in Virginia, South Carolina, Puerto Rico and Tennessee.

Herbert said the Armed Forces culture taught him the value of hard work, loyalty, adaptability and community.

Herbert earned a bachelor’s degree in educational psychology from Mississippi State University while working as a stockman and cart pusher for Walmart and a general handyman and construction worker for various employers.

After graduating from MSU, Herbert became a store manager for Walmart and volunteered his leadership and construction skills to complete five builds with Habitat for Humanity.

Herbert has helped raise more than $190,000 in donations and grants for many organizations, including the Birmingham Parks Department, Paws for Claws, Lovelady Center, American Diabetes Association, March for Dimes Alabama Chapter, Alabama Moving Image Association, Children’s Miracle Network, Community Foodbank of Central Alabama, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Birmingham and ValloCycle.

After 20 years in retail, Herbert earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo this year and will start his new career as an elementary school teacher in the fall.

Herbert serves as chairman of ValloCycle and the city’s Sustainability Committee and sits on the Arbor and Beautification Commission.

Herbert reports to the council on streets and sanitation, recycling and environmental preservation initiatives.

During his first year on the council, Herbert said he has held developers accountable to city ordinances, supported community grants and events to bring business into Montevallo, and helped hire the city’s first sustainability coordinator.

Herbert and his wife, Susan, have a daughter, Ramona, and enjoy practicing cycling and sustainable living.