By Tyler Pruett
Managing Editor
SYLVANIA, Ala. — Longtime Sylvania resident Tom Hale has qualified to run for Sylvania Town Council Place 2. He’ll be facing off against Jerod Sharp in the August 23 municipal elections. Hale already has experience on the town’s council; serving from 2008 - 2012.
Hale is a graduate of Northeast Alabama Community College with a degree in Criminal Justice. He transferred to Jacksonville State University to continue his education in Criminal Justice. Hale also served in the United States Navy from 1959 until 1963. He was a deputy sheriff for the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office and also the police chief for the Town of Powell until 1980.
Hale and his wife Debra have been married for over 30 years, and have four children. He has been a resident of Sylvania for 44 years. Hale is the owner and operator of Hale’s Sandblasting, which has been in business for several years.
“My years as a city councilman, my education, and my many years of service to the general public gives me excellent insight into all that is required of a city councilman. My wish and desire is to be an active part of the growth and prosperity of Sylvania and it’s citizens,” Hale said.
Hale said he has spent his entire working career in service, and currently works as a substitute teacher with DeKalb County Schools. And with his background in law enforcement, Hale plans on making public safety a top priority.
“I have spent most of my life in service,” said Hale, “I am accustomed to working with the public on various issues, and I feel like I have the qualities needed to do this job and help out the town.”
“As long as the money is available, we need to make sure the police department has proper equipment, they have good vehicles, but their vests probably need to be upgraded,” said Hale. “They keep us safe, and we need to make sure we take care of them. The same goes for the fire department too.
It’s also important to Hale that the city increase its revenue by bringing in more businesses, and to bring in businesses, the city must maintain and upgrade its infrastructure. The city has recently received a grant to build a new sewer system, and construction is planned to begin in October. Hale wants to support this project’s completion and knows it’s importance to the town.
“I would definitely like to see new businesses to come to Sylvania,” said Hale. “I know it’s a small place, but a new fast food place or something like that would be good for the town.”
“Finishing the sewer project will help entice new businesses to come our way. I’ll fully support the mayor and town council in completing this complicated task for our city’s future,” said Hale.
Tom Hale will be on the Sylvania Municipal Ballot on August 23. He’s asking for the public’s support in his campaign for Sylvania Town Council Place 2.
