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Former mayor Buster Porch thanks Gadsden council for economic progress; council highlights volunteers, bond projects and community events
Summary
Former mayor Buster Porch addressed the council to thank elected officials for what he described as progress in economic development. Council members highlighted community events, the city's $140 million bond program and a volunteer mowing initiative to assist homeowners; staff will coordinate volunteer efforts with the building department and city attorney.
Gadsden — Former mayor Buster Porch addressed the Gadsden City Council on June 23 to thank the council and administration for work on economic development, framing his remarks around "togetherness, politics and growth." His remarks drew appreciation from multiple council members, who reflected on the city’s multi-year planning and a $140 million bond program intended to fund infrastructure and quality-of-life projects.
Porch used his public comment to praise the administration’s efforts to revive the local economy after industrial departures and to recognize long-serving community volunteers. "We got 98.7% of it done," he said while describing prior campaign promises and results, invoking the council’s team approach.
Council members responded with remarks recognizing recent community events — including Juneteenth celebrations and a local 'Barbarian challenge' weekend — and noting the scale of current municipal activity. President Back described the Grow Gadsden planning process and said the city's engineering department has more than 90 active projects tied to the bond program.
The council also acknowledged a resident volunteer who offered to mow yards for homeowners who cannot maintain properties. The volunteer's project will be coordinated with the building department and city attorney Lee Roberts to ensure it complies with city policies and safety requirements.
The meeting record shows widespread thanks and community recognition during the public-comment and council-remarks portion of the agenda; no formal action was taken on the public comment items.
