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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

PELHAM – The city of Pelham has currently opened the floor for interested individuals and community members as they look to fill several positions in the near future.

Over the course of the week of Jan. 8, the city released information relating to the positions of Pelham’s City Council place no. 5, Pelham’s Board of Education place no. 1 and an appointment to the third seat of the city’s personnel board.

The top billed vacancy of place no. 5 on the Pelham City Council comes following the announcement from Councilwoman Mildred Lanier-Reed that she would be stepping down from her long-held position on the council. Lanier-Reed, who is recognized for her 13 years of active commitment and service to the city, announced that she would be resigning her position on the Council after serving for seven years.

Lanier-Reed began her second term on the Council on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020 following a successful reelection campaign.

“This decision was not made lightly but with deep prayer,” Lanier-Reed said in a prepared statement. “I am truly grateful to my husband and family who have prayed with me about this decision as I sought the leading of the Spirit of God.”

Lanier-Reed’s resignation comes after her family’s decision to relocate away from Pelham, which they have called home for the past 16 years.

“Councilwoman Lanier-Reed’s commitment to Pelham has been unwavering, and her contributions have made a lasting impact on our city,” read an official Facebook post by the city of Pelham. “Please join us in wishing her the best as she begins this next chapter.”

The Pelham City Council is now accepting letters of interest and resumes through Friday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. from residents and individuals who are looking to fill the position via appointment. The  city clerk or treasurer will acknowledge the receipt of all applications by email.

Whomever the city appoints would then serve out the remaining length of Lanier-Reed’s elected term of office, at which time the regularly scheduled election would occur.

Pelham’s two other open positions come as a result of expiring terms.

Currently filled by Robert O’Neal, the term of office for place one of the Pelham Board of Education is set to expire on June 1. As laid out by the Code of Alabama, terms of office for the board of education are five years in length, with each place staggered to ensure one seat’s term expires each year.

Each year, the City Council elects members to the BOE at a regular meeting in April to succeed those whose terms of office are set to expire and the elected individual then takes office in June. Current sitting members remain on the BOE until their successor assumes office.

O’Neal, who is eligible for another term, will be free to reapply for the position but will stand alongside other candidates who apply. The Council is currently accepting letters of interest and resumes through Wednesday, Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. for consideration.

The Council will interview and consider all candidates prior to that seat appointment.

The opening Pelham Personnel Board position is for the third board position on the board which is an appointment made by the council appointed representative and the representative appointed by city employees. The appointment is for a four-year term.

The personnel board will be accepting letters of interest and resumes through Friday, Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. for that position.

All applications for these openings can be submitted through the city’s website at Pelhamalabama.gov/1101/Apply-to-Serve.