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When I was running for office, I promised you transparency – real transparency – not selective numbers, not partial information, and not reports that only tell half the truth. I told you I would open the books and show you exactly where we stand as a city. Today, I’m keeping that promise. For the last…
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A city’s budget is more than a spreadsheet – it’s a roadmap for how public money will be used to serve residents. In Alabama, there’s no law that requires a city to adopt a formal budget, but the Alabama League of Municipalities and the Alabama Department of Examiners of Public Accounts both agree: Operating without…
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Organizational Meeting Summary This past Monday night, the Margaret City Council held its Organizational Meeting to officially begin the new administration. For many of us in the room, it marked not just a new term, but a new standard for how the City of Margaret conducts its business. I want to thank everyone who took…
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Running a city takes teamwork – and in Margaret, that team begins with the Mayor and City Council. Each plays a distinct but connected role in ensuring your local government operates effectively, transparently, and responsibly. The Mayor: Chief Executive and Community Leader Under Alabama law, the Mayor serves as the chief executive officer of the…
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How the Mayor’s Appointments and the Organizational Ordinance Shape City Government When a new mayor takes office, one of the first and most important steps in setting up effective city government is the organizational process – establishing how City Hall operates, who leads each department, and how accountability is structured. This framework begins with two…
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Under Alabama law, the power to appoint officers and employees in a city depends on whether that authority is given to the mayor or the council. In a mayor-council form of government (like Margaret’s), the state code sets these key rules: In short: The mayor appoints unless a state statute or city ordinance specifically gives…
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Every four or so years, when a new mayor and council take office, Cities, including Margaret hold what’s called an organizational meeting.Think of it as City Hall’s “Day One” – the moment the new administration officially gets to work. What Happens at the Meeting The organizational meeting isn’t just a formality. It’s where the city’s…
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For more than fifty years, municipal elections in Margaret have been more than just routine – they’ve revealed a deeply embedded pattern: the same names, limited competition, and few opportunities for change. But in 2025, we can finally break that cycle. 🗳️ What the Records Reveal From 1968 to today, Margaret’s political landscape remained in…
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Last time I shared, we talked about how a Town Center could spark local business and create a heart for our community. Today, I want to share the next piece of the vision: a Civic District-anchored by two things Margaret desperately needs: A grocery store A civic and community center This isn’t rumor or wishful…
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Let’s clear this up. I respect voters enough to be honest: Daryl McIntyre and I are not the same candidate – not in background, not in vision, and not in results. Matt Tortorice: • First term council member – already completed 86 hours of ALM CMO training (Basic & Advanced Certification) and Leadership St. Clair.•…