Cullman Mayor Max A. Townson and his wife, Kay Townson, at today's reception
CULLMAN – Max Townson has spent the last eight years as mayor of the city of Cullman, and along with the city council has shepherded the city through good times and bad, from the 2008-09 recession and the 2011 tornadoes, to the rebuilding after those tornadoes and the exponential retail and industrial growth of the last few years. Townson also made good on his promise to make the relationship between the city and the county strong, and held true to his vision of making Cullman a great place to live, work, play and worship. Community leaders and citizens alike turned out on Monday at the Festhalle Market Platz to honor him.
Among those present where the members of the Cullman County Commission, the Cullman City Council, Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, Cullman City Police Chief Kenny Culpepper, Wallace State Community College President Dr. Vicki Karolewics, Public Service Commissioner Place 1 Jeremy Oden, members of the Cullman County and Cullman Economic Development offices, representatives from Cullman City Parks and Recreation, the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman, just to name a few.
Townson's administrative assistant, Leanne West, presented the mayor a book of memories from the eight years they worked together in office.
"I wouldn't had been the mayor of Cullman without the help of Leanne," Townson said.
Townson told the audience that once he decided to run for mayor in 2008, he would not slander the opposition. "This is not Washington, D.C.; we are Cullman, Alabama."
Townson took a moment to recognize his wife, Kay Townson, and to reflect on their 47 years together. "She is instrumental in representing the people of Cullman, Alabama. She is the queen bee," he said.
According to the mayor, one of the most important things to him when he took office was developing a great relationship between the city and the county. "What's good for the city is good for the county. What's good for the county is good for the city," Townson said.
He also praised the city council, citing the relationship between them and the mayor’s office as being instrumental in moving the city forward under his leadership.
Townson recognized council members Andy Page, Jenny Folsom, Clint Hollingsworth, Johnny Cook and Garlan Gudger, Jr. for their hard work. "I couldn't have asked for a better council," he said.
Gentry presented Townson with a plaque of appreciation recognizing the great relationship shared by the City of Cullman and the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office.
"All of us working together, making this place our home," Townson said. "I support our law enforcement. The police and sheriff's department have made this a great place to live."
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Ken Brown of Cullman’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2214 presented Townson with a photo of a B-51 Mustang. The mayor will get to ride in the Mustang when it comes to Cullman for the Veterans Day celebration the weekend of Nov. 4.
Townson recognized Brown for the job he has done getting the veterans in the area the recognition they deserve. Cullman’s Veterans Day event has grown tremendously in recent years with the help of Brown while Townson has been the mayor.
In closing, Townson said he was not going away. He will still be around. Townson's last day as mayor of Cullman will be Nov. 7. Woody Jacobs will be sworn in as new mayor that day.
Townson will preside over his final Cullman City Council meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Cullman City Hall.
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