VINEMONT, Ala. – After losing the nomination for Place 3 earlier this month to Ross Campbell, resident Grady Malone was appointed to Vinemont Town Council, Place 5, at a special-called council meeting on Tuesday, June 18. The council held the meeting to hear nominations for the open seat.
Campbell took the seat left vacant by Charlotte Cosper, who resigned in April. He was sworn in on June 11. Malone will now take the seat left vacant by Sonya Copeland, who resigned that same night.
Mayor Radginal Dodson and all sitting council members were present for the meeting Tuesday, June 18, as they heard each Place 5 nominee’s intentions if appointed to the open council seat.
Former mayoral candidate and Vinemont Councilwoman Shirley Arnett made a spontaneous decision to join the list of prospective nominees, submitting her name just before the meeting. Arnett, who has been a resident in the municipality for a significant period and has actively participated in area and local projects, presented her tenure and community involvement as her key qualifications.
“I have been involved since the early 2000s,” she said. “Since 2012, I’ve only missed two meetings in all that time.”
Councilman Chris Thompson opened the nominations with the name of his past nominee for Place 3 – Malone – a retired U.S. Army sergeant who currently works in building inspection in Madison and moved to Vinemont from Blountsville later in life. Malone said he has plans to bring his past military experience to the open seat, building and strengthening teamwork and streamlining cooperation within the town’s municipal lines.
Councilwoman Nina Justice seconded Malone’s nomination, bringing the matter to a roll-call vote. Each of the sitting council members voted in favor of Malone, making him the appointee for Place 5.
Malone will be sworn in at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the council on July 8, 2024. The work session will begin at 5 p.m. and the meeting will follow at 6.
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