I am running for the office of Mayor of Brent. Bibb County is where I grew up and went to school. My husband Jerry and I built a home in Brent 2 years ago. We opened a dog boarding business and a hobby farm here a little over a year ago. We have 5 adult children (Melissa, OV, Sara, Nathan and Robby) and 8 precious grandchildren.
As mayor I want to see Brent reach its full potential. While new businesses are a must for the City to grow, I want to see that small home town feeling remain. Having traveled almost the entire east coast, most southern states and a large majority of the west, I have seen what does and doesn’t work in small towns throughout the country. Additionally, my husband, Jerry and I traveled to all 67 counties in Alabama on the back roads, visited dozens of small towns and have seen what was working for them. This first hand knowledge makes me uniquely qualified for mayor of Brent. We have had some younger families move into our city recently and we want to keep that trend going. While cherishing and learning from those that have come before us, we want to provide a good quality of life for the up and coming in our city.
I was blessed to have awesome parents, Billy and Louise Cash, who taught me the value of hard work. I had my first public job when I was 16 at the Mimosa Restaurant in Brent. From that time until now I have had many life lessons that have prepared me to excel as mayor. Mentors in my life, both present and going back to some of my high school teachers, have shared their experiences and knowledge with me and have been a part of preparing me for this day.
My husband, Jerry and I have been involved with our church, community activities and civic organizations. I have taught Sunday School, Senior Adult Vacation Bible School, worked with the Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Ministry, the Drive Thru Nativity and participated with the Living Bible Land at my church. We have worked with the Girl Scouts to allow them to earn a badge at our farm and we have hosted a yearly flag ceremony on Flag Day at the farm. I have done volunteer work with the Relay for Life of Bibb County to raise money to further the fight against cancer. As a business owner, Jerry and I are members of the Bibb County Chamber of Commerce, however, I have been active in the chamber for 8 years. We continue to support their fundraising efforts. Partnering with the Chamber is vital for a city to prosper and I plan on working hand and hand with our Chamber. I was on the board of Cahaba Medical Care Foundation for 5 ½ years. I have done and am continuing to do volunteer work at the Brent Senior Center. Finding a way to work with every member of our city is a must, no matter the age. I have volunteered with Verizon at their backpack giveaway for school children. I will be reaching out to the schools in our area to provide volunteer services there also. I currently volunteer at the Compassion & Hope Food Basket located in Brent.
I was the director at the Senior Center in Brent. My ability to take nothing and to roll up my sleeves, get to work and make something great out of it can be seen by my work at the senior center. Not only was I able to grow the attendance at the center but the center was known as one of the best centers in the state. I was able to write and receive multiple grants at the center. One of the grants was used to purchase computers for those that attended the center. Another of the grants was a craft grant. Funds from this grant were used to provide arts and crafts activities for the attendees. The senior center is governed by West Alabama Area Agency on Aging. I have a great working relationship with this agency due to my time at the senior center. The many other contacts I made at the local, county and state level in my roll as director will help me be successful as I work to move Brent forward.
In order for Brent to be all it can be, we have to have a vision. I have been going door to door speaking with and listening to our residents about their concerns for the city. These concerns will absolutely be a priority for me when I become mayor. I will act on these, and other concerns by researching the problem and implementing the best solution. I will pursue businesses for our city, not just any business, but those that would best meet the needs of our citizens. Jobs… good paying jobs are a must for a thriving city. I will seek out those businesses interested in relocating to or expanding to the area and I will represent Brent to them in a professional manner.
Taking what we have in Brent and reinventing it is my goal. We want to be proud to say “I live in Brent”. To do this we must keep the entire city clean. Vacant abandoned lots and/or homes, trash on the roadway, abandoned vehicles, unkept yards and the such are among the concerns that the citizens I have talked with over the last 5 weeks have mentioned and will be addressed immediately when I am mayor.
To make Brent that thriving small town that I know it can be, we must have great people (which we do), we must truly care, and we must also have great leadership for our city. The people of Brent have a head start in these areas. I ask for your vote on August 25th, and together we will work to make Brent better than it has ever been.
