PHOTO: Former Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox (D - Tuscaloosa) and candidate for Alabama Governor in 2018 will speak in the Fyffe Senior Center on February 13, 2018. (Contributed Photo)

By Staff Reports

FYFFE, Ala. — According to a release from the DeKalb County Democratic Party, former Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox (D - Tuscaloosa) will be addressing local Democrats at the Fyffe Senior Center; the same location U.S. Senator Doug Jones spoke at back in November.

Maddox is a declared Democratic candidate for Alabama Governor in 2018. The event will be begin at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, February 13, 2018.

According to the DeKalb County Democratic Party: "On Tuesday, February 13, DeKalb County Democrats will rally in Fyffe in support of Walt Maddox for Governor.

The Rally will convene at 5:30 p.m.  at Fyffe Senior Center, 413 Graves Street, Fyffe, AL  35971. Club President, Susan Scott Hayes announced that the meeting is open to the public and will feature a covered-dish meal.

Maddox is currently the Mayor of Tuscaloosa, sworn into his fourth term on May 22, 2017. He received national attention for his crisis management after the EF-4 tornado on April 27, 2011, destroyed 12.5 percent of the City. He currently serves as a fellow with the Program on Crisis Leadership at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

In 2012, Walt was named Municipal Leader of the Year by American City and County for his strong, decisive and comforting leadership.

Maddox is a runner and has competed in several marathons. He loves history and studying WWII.  He and his wife Stephanie have two children, Taylor and Eli.

In his campaign for governor, Maddox has expressed concern that 600,000 Alabamians are either unemployed or working in jobs below their skills or needs.  He said, “It’s time we invest in our people.”

He is concerned that Alabama roadways are collapsing, and 20% of Alabama bridges are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.  He said, “We cannot ignore this problem any longer.”

On Healthcare, Maddox said “Alabama has seen the closure of seven rural hospitals in the past eight years. We must expand Medicaid or many other hospitals in the state will have to close their doors.”

After seven or eight years of zero progress, it’s time to elect Walt Maddox and go in another direction."