Five vying for HU board post

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Five individuals have submitted applications for two upcoming vacancies on Hartselle Utilities Board. They are Garlin Cheatham, Jimmy Jones, Jerry Putman, Dwight Hale and Terry Phillips.
The positions they are seeking are currently occupied by Buzz Howell, chairman, and Claude Morris. Their six-year terms expire on July 25 and both opted not to seek reappointment. The deadline for applications was July 8 at 4 p.m.
City Council President K.T. (Kenny) Thompson said he is pleased there are five applicants from which to choose.
"Had we had only two or three, I would've been in favor of re-advertising," he said.
He said the applicants will be interviewed next week and consideration will be given for appointment at the council's July 26 meeting.
Howell said on Wednesday of last week he was going to wait until close to the deadline to see who the applicants were before making up his mind whether or not to seek reappointment.
"Hartselle Utilities has made a lot of progress over the past five years. It's moving in the right direction and I would like to see that continued," he stated.
Morris has served on the board two full terms and a partial term. He also served on Hartselle Planning Commission for 15 years.
"I felt like it was time for the council to appoint someone else," he said.
Thompson said he is looking for candidates who are smart and willing to learn, have common sense and are committed to providing Hartselle residents with qualify services at the lowest possible cost.