By Terry Schrimscher, For The Tribune
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville City Council paid tribute to long-serving councilmember Wayne Tucker during its regular meeting Monday night, December 19. Tucker passed away Sunday morning after a long illness.
The Springville Police Department placed flowers and an American Flag in honor of Councilmember Wayne Tucker who passed away Sunday after a long illness. (Photo by Terry Schrimscher)
“As many of you know, we lost Wayne yesterday morning,” Mayor Dave Thomas said.
The Springville Police Department provided flowers and an American flag which were placed at Tucker’s seat at the Council desk during the meeting.
During the city’s sesquicentennial celebration last week, Thomas read a proclamation being presented to the City Council in honor of Tucker’s years of service to the Springville community. Tucker served as Mayor pro tempore and served his district since first elected in 1980.
“You’ve got to be doing something right and be well thought of to hang onto the same council seat for 42 years,” Thomas said, speaking to The Trussville Tribune after the reception last week. “Wayne has been able to hold that seat, serve his district and obviously serve it well.”
Tucker retired after a 43-year career with the Alabama Department of Transportation and continued sharing his expertise as a construction consultant. In May of 2021, he was honored in Huntsville during the annual convention of the Alabama League of Municipalities for 40 years of service on the Springville Council.
Miss Historic Springville Dominique Verville.(Photo by Terry Schrimscher)
Miss Historic Springville 2023, Dominique Verville, introduced herself during the meeting and expressed her excitement to represent Springville in the Miss Alabama pageant in the summer of 2023. Verville is from Montgomery and is a Junior at Auburn University. She previously served as Miss Birmingham in 2022.
Police Chief Wayne Walton recognized three of his officers for excellence in service this year. Walton recognized Brandon Cain as Officer of the Year. In addition, Justin Rigby was honored with the Chief’s Award; an award created last year by Walton.
John Key received the Top Gun award. The award is given in a competition where an officer must assemble a handgun and patrol rifle and then fire the weapons at a target 50 feet away. Key received perfect scores for both weapons.
Chief Walton praised the department for their work in the Cops for Tots initiative. The department collected toys to provide Christmas for 72 local children this year.
The Council unanimously approved merit pay increases for part-time employees. The measure has been discussed at the last few meetings and was brought up for a vote after City Attorney James Hill clarified language defining eligible employees. Regular, part-time employees are considered eligible for a merit increase after one year of regular service upon the recommendation of a supervisor.
In other business, the Council heard from Springville High School junior Carson Dubose, who introduced the idea of creating an official flag for the city. The Council also approved a proclamation in recognition of human trafficking awareness.
Due to the holiday schedule, the Council approved moving the January meeting dates to January 9 and 23.
