Government
Bessemer, AL⎯ Last week Bessemer Council President Jesse Mathews was elected to serve as Vice President of the Alabama League of Municipalities, for the 2017-2018 term, during the leagues’ annual convention. Councilman Matthews’ election to the Alabama League of Municipalities is a win for the Bessemer City Council; as now they have a trusted colleague of their own on the board to continue to push the city’s plans forward. President Matthews is honored to have been elected Vice President of the ALM, and plans to be straight forward and transparent with his plans. “My main goal is to secure enactment of legislation enabling all cities and towns to perform their functions more efficiently and effectively“, Bessemer Council President, Matthews said. “I want to serve and lead in a positive direction.” League Executive Director Ken Smith looks forward to working with Council President Matthews over the next year. “Jesse has been actively involved with the league for many years”, Smith said. “He has served on a number of League committees, including our Executive Committees and is the immediate past chair on State and Federal Legislation. His municipal knowledge and leadership skills have been as asset to our organization. He will serve us well as Vice President.” Vice President Matthews said, “After being a part of the League for 19 years it feels great to be elected into my new position. It is truly an honor and I thank the Lord for my appointment.” Council President Matthews is well qualified for his new position. As a former board member of the National League of Cities (NLC), and currently serving on the board of Directors for the Municipal Workers Compensation Fund Inc., Matthews is undoubtedly the best fit for the role. Having completed numerous training seminars for municipality enrichment, Vice President Matthews is well versed in the field of municipality structure. He has completed formal classroom training in subjects: council meeting procedures; parliamentary procedure; the Open Meeting Law; public record; ordinance drafting; conflict of interest; the State Ethic Law; duties of the mayor and council; tort liability; the competitive bid law; zoning and planning; annexation; municipal regulatory powers; municipal revenues and expenditures; personnel actions; and leadership development. Based in Montgomery, the Alabama League of Municipalities was organized in 1935 and has served for 81 years as the recognized voice of the cities and towns in Alabama. Representing more than 450 members municipalities, the League works to secure enactments of legislation enabling all cities and towns to perform their function more efficiently and effectively; offers specialized training for both municipal officials and employees; holds conferences and meetings at which views and experiences of officials may be exchanged; and conducts continuing studies of the legislative, administrative and operational needs, problems and functions of Alabama’s municipal government. For more information, visits www.alalm.org.
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