Former Phil Campbell mayor Jerry Mays poses with local artist Deb Ryan and the portrait of himself that Ryan painted to hang alongside the portraits of past mayors of the town of Phil Campbell. Photo by Bart Moss.

By Bart Moss

For the FCT

Former Phil Campbell Mayor Jerry Mays unveiled a portrait of himself at the Phil Campbell City Council meeting Tuesday night.

The portrait will was placed on the wall alongside the portraits of past mayors of the town of Phil Campbell.

Mays presided as mayor of Phil Campbell during the town’s most difficult times – the devastating tornado of April 2011 and the rebuilding phased afterward.

“Jerry did an excellent job as mayor during a very tough time,” said current mayor Steve Bell.

“He managed the tornado efforts as well as anyone could.”

He credited Mays with making his transition to mayor a positive one.

“The transition went smoothly and I know I can call on him anytime I need advice and counsel.”

The portrait was presented to the mayor by local artist Deb Ryan, who drew the portrait.

It was Mays’ first trip back to a council meeting since he left office a little over a year ago.

In other business:

• Mayor Steve Bell gave the council an update on the industrial park construction on Highway 43. He told the council the water tower is going up and is about forty percent complete. He also said the new business is already laying concrete.

• Councilman Nagle explained that the cost of fire department training was being absorbed by the county.  Mayor Bell said this was important for the fire department’s ISO insurance rating. The rating has not changed and will not change as long as the town completes the action plan submitted. This would keep property owners insurance rates at the status quo.

• Mayor Bell also said the demolition of the old city swimming pool is under way. This will pave the way for the installation of a splash pad to be completed sometime this spring.

• The council voted to relieve a city employed of their duties because they did not meet probationary requirements. They also voted to hire Kevin Hill into the vacant position. Hill will have various job duties, according to the mayor, such as street sanitation and maintenance.