By STEPHANIE BRUMFIELD / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Four “hometown heroes” were honored at the City of Montevallo’s Fourth Annual Mayor’s Breakfast Oct. 11, held at The American Village’s Liberty Hall.

Montevallo Mayor Hollie Cost, along with four special presenters, gave awards to Lt. Tim Alexander with the Montevallo Police Department, city council member Willie Goldsmith, former Montevello Chamber of Commerce executive director Mary Lou Williams and Boys and Girls Club of Montevallo executive director Freda Shivers, who also served as the event’s keynote speaker.

Cost said she felt honored to continue the tradition started by former Mayor Ben McCrory, and she spoke about each award winner before handing over the microphone to the presenters.

About Shivers, Cost said she “provided a haven and learning oasis for children through the Boys and Girls Club,” which opened in June 2009.

“It’s very odd to me to be up here as a hometown hero because so many of you have done so much for this city,” Shivers said during her keynote address.

Alexander was introduced by Montevallo police chief Jeremy Littleton, who noted that Alexander grew up in a single-parent household in the projects and gradually worked his way up the ladder, starting law enforcement part-time in 1996 and being promoted to lieutenant in 2013.

“He has always found a way to help the youth of this city,” Littleton said.

McCrory introduced Goldsmith, who has served on the city council since 1985. McCrory said Goldsmith’s 28 years of service in Montevallo is especially unique because he didn’t grow up in Montevallo.

“Willie chose to make Montevallo his home, and we are all so much better for that choice,” McCrory said.

About Williams, Cost said she is “nothing short of an icon” in the city of Montevallo is “the backbone of what makes Montevallo special.”

John Kirby, who introduced Williams, echoed the sentiment.

“Mary Lou has touched all of us in some way,” Kirby said. “Mary Lou loves our city, and our city loves you.”