Sarah Hill will follow John Hammock as the next mayor of Tallassee.
At a special called meeting of the Tallassee City Council, Hill, councilwoman representing Ward 2, was unanimously appointed as mayor to fill the remaining three years of Hammock’s term following his resignation.
Hall thanked everyone for the trust and support placed in her. Hill said she wants to calm the waters surrounding Tallassee City Hall and bring back trust.
Cliff Williams / The Tribune Sarah Hill is sworn in as the next mayor of Tallassee surrounded by members of the Tallassee City Council.
“I believe this is a time to rebuild,” Hill said. “We need to rebuild our trust in each other. We need to rebuild our relationships with the residents of the City of Tallassee, the small business and large business owners, our county commissions and other agencies that we might have lost over the last few years.”
Hill addressed the city’s employees, many of whom have expressed displeasure in the workplace atmosphere.
“I thank you all for showing up today,” Hill said. “I hope to bring back the calmness. I want to support you. You are our greatest natural resource that the city has.”
Councilman Terrell Brown explained the rationale behind nominating Hill to be mayor after a brief executive session.
“She is a very intelligent lady,” Brown said. “She is very engaged in everything. She is very passionate about it.”
Brown said Tallassee’s next mayor needed to have current knowledge of what was going on in Tallassee, that Tallassee couldn’t afford the months it would take someone from outside the council to adjust.
“She knows everything going on,” Brown said. “She is tough. We need that person now.”
Hill headed up the city council finance committee. It’s a committee Hill served on with councilmen Bill Hall and Bill Godwin. Hall said he has learned a lot working with Hill.
“I worked very closely with her on the finance committee in the last eight to 10 months,” Hall said. “She has her finger on the pulse of just about everything in the city.”
Councilman Fred Randall Hughey said appointing Hill was a “no-brainer.”
“She has been on top of it,” Hughey said. “She can hit the ground running.”
Godwin believes Hill can calm the stormy waters of city hall.
“I have no doubt,” Godwin said. “She has a passion for people. She will bring an element of professionalism to city hall. It is something we desperately need.”
Hill thanked the council for its belief she could move the city forward.
“I want to thank the council for the support,” Hill said. “For many of you for the last six years and for Bill Hall and Fred Randall Hughey, it has been an honor to learn everyone’s different opinion and how they are different in their respective ways and how they think they should go.”
Hill said she will hit the ground running.
“I know we have multiple projects in the works,” Hill said. “I’m really excited to be at the helm as we move forward with those projects.”
Hill’s appointment now leaves a vacancy on the city council. The council has 60 days to fill the position. Hill assured residents of Ward 2 the council would find a good successor for her.
Hill also addressed all Tallassee residents.
“We are going to be looking into multiple opportunities to improve your way of living, working and playing in one of the most beautiful cities on earth, Tallassee, Alabama,” Hill said.
