Carbon Hill Mayor Resigns, Citing 'Despicable And Shady People'

CARBON HILL, AL — The mayor of a small city in west Alabama has resigned from office, citing ongoing issues with other elected officials.

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In a moment of foreshadowing Tuesday night, Carbon Hill Mayor April Kennedy-Herron published a cryptic post on Facebook, saying simply: "I tried." Less than 24 hours later, the first-term mayor announced her resignation in a letter addressed to members of the Carbon Hill City Council and the roughly 1,900 citizens of the city in northwest Walker County.

"It is clear that members of this council will continue to undermine any decision I make, disparage my name, and make every step of trying to improve this city impossible," she said.

Mayor Pro Tem David Phillips is now serving as acting mayor, with the Council now tasked with appointing him or another member of the council to the position for the remainder of Kennedy-Herron's unexpired term.

When contacted by Patch for comment, Kennedy-Herron stopped short of providing specifics concerning the abrupt news, deferring to her published letter. She did, however, express her sadness, saying the decision "hurt."

In her letter, though, the 43-year-old wife and mother accused unnamed council members of questioning her integrity, calling her dishonest and attacking her reputation due to "unknown grievances." Kennedy-Herron's words also highlight a noticeable disconnect with respect to communication among Carbon Hill elected officials.

"I should not be in fight or flight mode in every meeting or conversation had with certain members," Kennedy-Herron wrote. "If any member had any questions or concerns about anything going on, all that had to be done was pick up the phone and call me. Instead, they call everyone but me. I can't call six people every day and ask permission to let people go to lunch, go get needed supplies, run errands, okay repairs and maintenance or any of the other daily tasks that may arise."

First elected in August 2020, Kennedy-Herron carried 59% of the nearly 400 votes cast in a three-candidate race, defeating Dexter “Pig” Dozier, Sr. and Billie D. Jenkins.

"I hope whoever is brave enough to take this position on has better luck than I did," she said in her resignation letter. "I really tried to do a good job for this town. I encourage any good person thinking about politics to run for the hills. There are some despicable and shady people that will try to destroy you for their own entertainment."

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