Mayor of Hoover
The Mayor of Hoover is the elected head of Hoover's city goverment. The position was established in 1967, shortly after the city was incorporated. Hoover mayors serve four-year terms.
History
Don Watts was elected Hoover's first mayor. He served a one-year term. Hoover's second mayoral election, for a four-year term, was held in 1968, with Edward Ernest being elected. Ernest was forced to resign for health reasons the following year and O. E. Braddock moved from the Hoover City Council to replace him. Braddock died suddenly in 1975 and John Hodnett was appointed to finish his second term.
Frank Skinner became mayor in 1980 and continued to hold the position for 18 years. However, in 1999 he resigned and pleaded guilty to a misdmeanor charge of failing to promptly report $10,000 in campaign contributions. City Councilman Brian L. Skelton finished Skinner's final term.
The next election in 2000 saw three-term Councilwoman Barbara McCollum become Hoover's first female mayor when she defeated Skelton. In 2004, McCollum lost her re-election bid, coming in third behind Tony Petelos and Councilman Jody Patterson. Petelos defeated Patterson by a landslide in the mayoral run-off to become Hoover's current mayor. Petelos was unopposed in 2008.
List of Hoover mayors
- Don Watts (1967–1968)
- Edward Ernest (1968–1969)
- O. E. Braddock (1969–1975)
- John Hodnett (1975–19??)
- Frank Skinner (1980–1999)
- Brian L. Skelton (1999–2000)
- Barbara McCollum (2000–2004)
- Tony Petelos (2004–2011)
References
- Honea, Vadie. (n.d.) "Then & Now: A History of Hoover." City of Hoover. Accessed February 6, 2007.
- "Skinner pleads guilty to misdemeanor." (February 3, 1999). The Birmingham News.
- "McCollum surprises Skelton." (August 23, 2000). The Birmingham News.
- "Hoover Mayor McCollum voted out." (August 25, 2004). The Birmingham News.
- "Petelos pledges fresh start as Hoover mayor." (September 15, 2004). The Birmingham News.