Four years’ experience gives Landers insight into council role
Lynn Landers
Lynn Landers is running for re-election to Place No. 4 in Phil Campbell.
“After witnessing the devastation and destruction left as a result of the April 27, 2011, tornado, I decided it was time for me to step up and do my part,” she said. “I started attending City Council meetings and learning all I could about what was going on in the City of Phil Campbell.” It wasn’t long before she decided to run for council herself. Now, she’s hoping for another four years to continue working for Phil Campbell.
“I will not take credit for what we as a council have done as a whole, but in the last four years we have acquired approximately $14.4 million dollars in grant monies that, although unseen, went into the infrastructure of the city such as the new sewer system,” Landers said. “Many of the city streets were repaved. The Industrial Park was completed, along with a new water tank that serves the park and has eliminated the lack of water pressure for the people of the Spruce Pine area.
“We have one business in the industrial park that has created 43 jobs and is still growing. There is strong interest from a couple other industrial businesses that are looking to build and/or relocate to our Industrial Park. Hopefully, announcements will be made in the near future.”
Landers cites the splash pad as a proud achievement – “We are in the process of the initial stages of acquiring funding for the construction of a new concessions area along with restrooms” – as well as the new 24-unit Village at Oliver Place – “one of our newest completed projects. We have made it possible for many families to relocate to Phil Campbell. Also, we have received word that Charter Cable will begin rebuilding its infrastructure to provide more services to the City of Phil Campbell,” she said.
“Over the past four years, I was instrumental in acquiring a new garbage truck and recently a better dump truck as well as a new lawn mower for our street department,” Landers said.
“My husband and I purchased what was once the Star Theater, one of the older buildings in town, with the intentions of establishing a restaurant. After long hard hours of work, the interior was completely gutted and the exterior was refurbished, making it more appealing to the public. You might have even noticed the train mural on the side of the building,” she said. “Recently, we sold the building to the owners of El Patron Restaurant. They have just completed their loan process and hope to start construction on the new Mexican restaurant as soon as possible.” Landers is the daughter of Phillip and Patricia Fleming and is a lifetime resident of Phil Campbell. She is married to Jason Landers, and they have four children (Jay Grissom, Andy Landers, Aaron Landers and Alaina Landers) and two grandchildren, Drake and Raven. She is a proud 1983 graduate of Phil Campbell High School and was an eight-year member of the Marching Band. She is a graduate of Northwest-Shoals Community College and the University of North Alabama and a member of First Baptist Church of Phil Campbell.
She was the owner of Bama Trophy Shop prior to the tornado and now works full time for the Alabama Department of Transportation. She has been with the State of Alabama for 14 years; part of that time period includes working at the Franklin County Courthouse as an appraiser. She also drove a school bus for the Franklin County Board of Education. She holds an Associate Broker’s License and sells real estate with Sewell Realty.
“I am and have been the president of the Phil Campbell Alumni Association for the past three years. I also volunteer with the Phil Campbell Rescue Squad doing what I can to help,” Landers said. “I am the creator of the FB page/group Bobcats to Angels. Along with help from others, we keep up with the deceased alumni of Phil Campbell High School.”
In the town of Phil Campbell, “there is still lots to be done as well as completed,” Landers said. “Together as a city, a community or as a family, we can achieve great accomplishments.”
