By Dale Barnett
Elmore/Autauga News
Since Talsi was first founded by Barent Dubious when he purchased almost 2,100 acres in what is now known as Tallassee, there has never been a female mayor until July 1, 2022. But there is now.
The Tallassee City Council voted to appoint former Ward 2 Councilor council Sarah Hill.
She has taken over the remaining two years left on the term of the former mayor Johnny Hammock who tendered his resignation.
Elmore Autauga News was able to sit down with Mayor Hill recently. When asked what she has been up to since becoming Mayor, Hill stated that the first ordeal was a main water line break over the holiday weekend where citizens were without water. Hill thanked James Garner and his crews at the City Water Authority as they were able get the system repaired.
Hill said she has taken time to meet with all the city employees to introduce herself, discuss any issues and get their perspectives on issues relevant to the city. She said all the employees have been very positive, smiles on their faces and working hard for their fellow citizens. Hill said the City Council is working on the process to replace her position on the Council as well.
She also shared that she had met with Commission Chairman Troy Stubbs, Commissioner Mack Daugherty and the county’s Chief Operating Officer, Richie Beyer.
Hill said the Hotel Talisi has deteriorated even further and there have been discussions with Elmore County concerning various grants that might assist in the cost associated with removing the structure.
Mayor Hill said she also met with Police Chief Todd Buce and they agreed to meet again when all investigations are completed concerning recent allegations against a now former police officer of the department. She did state that things have been running smoothly with the police department. Hill stated she briefly met with NAACP Elmore County President Bobby Mays and she invited him to come sit down and talk with her at a later date.
Hill said she has met with James Garner to start outlining the process for getting all the figures and proposals for the short and long-term projects to improve the city water system.
When asked what she had hoped to accomplish by the end of this term, she laughed and said “I would be very pleased if everything the city council has been working on thus far were completed.”
Hill said she did not wish to discuss any of the statements made by the previous Mayor who held one final meeting which ended minutes before he was officially out of office.
She wants to lead her mayorship on a positive platform. Her goals are to serve the citizens and improve quality of life, opportunity to work, recreations and services for children of the community.
She wants to provide a safe, wholesome, and productive life for the city employees and to assist the business community to grow and increase customers. Mayor Hill said that for the city to grow, be productive and provide for the citizens it will be a team effort.
We also meet briefly with Chief Todd Buce and he shared that things were going very well. His department is awaiting the findings from an investigation by ALEA and other agencies concerning recent allegations against a former police officer. It relates to the officer’s interaction with two different suspects that brought complaints. The officer was terminated by former Mayor Hammock as one of his last acts before he left office. The Council had asked the mayor to wait until the investigation was complete, but the officer is no longer employed with the city.
Buce stated that he would meet with Mayor Hill when all the data was in to review going forward. Buce said he was looking forward to working with the new Mayor and the Council and so far things are very positive.
