HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Hanceville Police Chief Bob Long announced his retirement, effective Sept. 1, 2023, at the Hanceville City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 1.
Despite raising their children on family land in Blount County, Long said he and his wife, “liked this city (Hanceville) so much that we bought land here and are in the process of building our retirement home.”
After noting he will always be available when the city is in need, Long, who has served as chief since 2011, concluded, “It’s been an honor.”
“I appreciate Bob,” shared Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail. “I appreciate his service. I appreciate his loyalty to the city. Me and Bob didn’t always agree, but I could always count on one thing with Bob: Bob was always going to tell the truth. It doesn’t matter if it’s good, bad or ugly. He would tell you the truth, and I appreciate that.”
In other business, a public hearing was held for the condemnation of an abandoned dwelling located at 6629 U.S. Highway 31, owned by Peter Dube. The council said the home has been in disrepair on the inside and unkempt on the outside for some time, leading the City to contact Dube on numerous occasions. After work was not completed on the home, with the exception of mowing a small circumference around the house, the hearing was held. After 30 minutes of discussion between the council and Dube, the council decided to give Dube until the first council meeting in April to have the yard mowed and/or bushhogged, broken windows replaced and more.
The council approved the closure of a small portion of Church Avenue on Saturday, April 1, for an event hosted by Redline Leather & Cycle Workz. The Motorcycle Swap Meet will feature Moonshiners Master Distillers’ Alabama Homegrown Moonshine Crew Jimbo Bray, Johnny Griffis and K-Bug Burd and music by Jesse Priest, Daniel Harbison and more. More information is available by calling 205-514-3981.
The Tiny House Pocket Neighborhood Ordinance 653 will be discussed at a later date after a public notice is posted by the Hanceville Planning Commission.
The next council meeting will be held at City Hall on Thursday, March 23. The work session begins at 5 p.m. and regular meeting at 5:30.
