A look back

By Staff
Researched by Dr. Bill Stewart
Controversies related to the filling of positions in city government have been intense recently. The mayor and council are continually making decisions that have the potential for arousing considerable citizen hostility.
1952 – August 21, City council candidates are finding the question of Sunday night movies to be one of the most vexing they are having to deal with this campaign season. Some are saying that it would be better to have the controversy settled by a vote of the people. The Ranch Drive-in Theatre plans to begin Sunday night films soon.
2000 – August 22, Political newcomer Clifton P. (Clif) Knight came within 200 votes of winning the mayor's race outright and will face former Mayor Samie Wiley in the September 12 runoff election. Knight collected 1,494 votes for 47 percent of the mayoral ballots cast. Wiley claimed the nod from 1,084 voters for 34 percent of the vote. Knight, the former Enquirer co-owner, covered city council meetings for many years as part of his responsibilities at the paper.
1926 – S. E. Gibson is currently serving as Mayor of Hartselle. He succeeded from the council to the mayorship when Mayor Leldon Day resigned due to pressing business.
1940- August 23, Capt. Joe Burleson is currently a candidate for the city council. His ability to continue as a candidate will be strongly influenced by the probable mobilization of the National Guard.
1954 – August 24, Gordon Groover will succeed Luther Roberts on the Hartselle city council. This decision by the remaining members of the board came tonight.
1963 – August 25, The city council will decide soon whether or not Hartselle's drinking water should be fluoridated.
1972 – August 26, The city council will vote in the near future to approve or disapprove plans for a new community center the estimated cost of which is $500,000.
1957 – August 27, The problem of speeding in Hartselle, especially on Bethel Road, will be discussed by the city council when it meets in regular session tonight in the new municipal building. One possible solution would be to use motorcycle policemen. Due to the City's lack of funds this idea probably wouldn't be feasible at this time, however.