Town of Vina honors Mayor D.W. Franklin
For almost 20 years now the Town of Vina has had the same mayor: D.W. Franklin. He has spent those years dedicating his time and money to make the town prosper and grow.
Franklin has been elected five times now, and he said he has decided his current term will be his last.
July 19 Franklin’s family, friends and coworkers gathered to celebrate his nearly two decades of service to the community. Citizens filtered in and out of town hall throughout the afternoon to speak with and honor Franklin.
“We’re so proud of his community service. He has always put the town before himself,” his daughter Anna Kay Holland said.
Franklin said he has enjoyed his many years on the job and all of the ways the town has grown over this period of time, although he downplayed his own involvement. “It’s not just the mayor; it’s everybody working together doing what we’ve got to do,” Franklin said.
Some of the accomplishments he mentioned are the park, the community center, the town hall remodel and the industrial park.
“I think the town will be alright once I’m done. It’ll be in better shape when I leave than it was when I started,” he said.
Franklin said he has made no serious plans for his retirement, but his time will be well spent with his family. They maintain a close-knit relationship, all the way down to his grandchildren.
Grandson Chase Holland said he has many memories of time spent with Franklin on the job, going to meetings and even having breakfast with then-governor Bob Riley. Holland said the difference between Franklin and other mayors is how much Franklin cares and the amount of time he spends with the community.
“We’re proud of him. He cares about this town and the people in it. He’s with them every day,” Holland said.
Longtime friend and Probate Judge Barry Moore attended to support and celebrate Franklin.
“We’ve been friends for a very long time. I’m proud of everything he’s done for the community,” Moore said.
The commitment Franklin has shown Vina stems from his love for the town, where he grew up and raised his children – Mike Franklin, Anna Kay Holland, Debbie Avery and Diane Ozbirn. That love has guided how he handles the town and treats the people.
“That’s what I’ve always tried to do,” he said, “be good to people and treat people nice.”
