TRANSCRIPT: Northport Mayor John Hinton's Inaugural Address

NORTHPORT, AL — Northport Mayor John Hinton has held the city's highest since 12:01 a.m. New Year's Day, but was officially sworn in to office on Tuesday in front of a room full of dignitaries and officials.

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As Patch previously reported, Hinton was elevated to council president in December following the resignation of former Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon, who stepped down at the end of the calendar year. Council President Jeff Hogg then resigned the presidency to avoid being the next in the line of succession for the mayor's office, which then saw Hinton elected council president.

Per state law governing municipalities the size of Northport, the council president assumes the city's highest office in the event of a mayor's resignation.

After Hinton was sworn in on Tuesday, the Council unanimously voted to re-elect Hogg to the council presidency, while District 1 Councilwoman Christy Bobo was elected president pro tem of the council — the position previously held by Hinton.

Here's a transcript of Hinton's inaugural address delivered Tuesday after he was sworn in.

"Thanks so much for coming today! I wish we had time to recognize each one of you. I will really appreciate your prayers, encouragement, and help as we try to try to accomplish our goals for the City.

I pledge to each of you to establish relationships and create partnerships across our community so as to best represent the City of Northport.

Let me thank District 3 residents for electing me to serve this term in office as Councilman.
It's been a pleasure to work with you and to see us reach many of our goals as a District. I was appointed to the Council seat in January 2019. This month I'm completing four years in office serving District 3. This is equivalent to a regular 4 year term. Please know I will still be available should you need to call.

We have an excellent Council — Jeff Hogg, President; Christy Bobo, Jamie Dykes and Woodrow Washington-it's been an honor to work as a member of the Council with them. We have an excellent city administrator [Glenda Webb] and Staff. Everyone works together for the betterment of the city.

I would like to thank the Council members for allowing me to serve as mayor. It will be a learning experience as I try to grow into the mayor position.

Let me thank Judge [Paul] Patterson for swearing me into this office today. I've known him since he arrived in this world, and am happy he is our City Judge. I also appreciate Brian, our son, for offering the prayer this morning. I think it may have been [Northport City Attorney] Ron Davis who said he had never known a lawyer who became a preacher — well here is one!

Thanks to Mayor [Bobby] Herndon for his accomplishments as mayor of the city.

In particular, we thank him for his humanitarian efforts to help those in need in other cities and states following disasters such as tornados and floods. He really has a heart for people in need. We wish him the best in the future.

The accomplishments of this Council in two years are quite amazing. The success is due to the untiring efforts of our City Council, city administrator, the outstanding professional staff and the dedicated employees of the city.

To mention a few accomplishments, let me begin by saying the financial condition of the city is in good shape. We have been conservative, yet progressive due to the 1-cent sales tax passed a few years ago.

The city has not borrowed money since 2014, but continues to reduce the indebtedness from prior years. Our reserve fund with the budgeted amount planned for 2023 will bring us to 15% of the General Fund operating budget, which helps with our bond ratings. Gross collections of the Northport First funds over the last 3 years (since Oct. 1, 2019) have exceeded $19 million.

By policy we are allowed to expend these funds in ways that move the city forward.

We are pleased with the salary improvements made for our employees. The salary schedule for all employees has been revised, step raises increased and guaranteed, and raises given in all employee categories, which now make us competitive with other governmental entities. We boastfully can say nearly all of our open positions have been filled, including those in the Police Department.

A goal of the city is to grow Northport with quality businesses and residents, and we have plenty of land available for this growth. As we consider this, excellent education programs for students and excellent health services for residents are essential to this growth.

We are now seeing improvement in both of these areas. The schools in Northport have received grants from the Northport First funds totaling $1 million over the last three years and these funds will continue for the 2023 year. The money is used for school improvement, and extends what the Tuscaloosa County Schools are able to provide. The City of Northport, Mayor [Walt] Maddox and the Tuscaloosa City Council, and [Probate] Judge [Rob] Robertson and the Tuscaloosa County Commission in partnership have together impacted our health system in a positive way. Major changes are taking place in our hospitals, and patient care is improving daily. We are also happy to announce the opening of the University Medical Center in Northport this month.

Improvements in infrastructure are unequaled in this short time span in Northport. Street paving, sinkhole repairs, water-sewer department upgrades and other structural needs are being met. Work will begin in 2023 on long corridors such as Main Avenue, Watermelon Road and Charlie Shirley Road.

Recreational opportunities for residents and families, and other quality of life plans are underway. Master plans have been approved by the Council for a water park, a sports complex, and a recreational area on Rose Boulevard.

We expect Northport to blossom with new homes and businesses as these plans are realized. Living in a safe, family oriented, unique City, yet close to Tuscaloosa where the University of Alabama is located, is what Northport offers. It's exciting to be a resident of Northport.

In closing, let me tell you about Walter Orchmann. Walter was 15 years old when he landed his first job. On Jan. 17, 1938, He began working for the Brazilian company Industrias Renaux. Would you believe Walter is still an employee at that company? He started as shipping assistant and eventually moved to management. He turned one hundred April 19, 2022. He has been awarded the Guiness World Record for the longest career in a single company — 84 years and counting. Walter is probably at work today!

When asked about his record he responded, "When we do what we like, we don't see the time go by. You need to get busy with the present, not the past or the future. Here and now is what counts. So, let's go to work."

This is a great message for us in Northport. Let's not dwell on the past or distant future but work diligently to complete our present goals to make Northport the outstanding city we desire.

So, let's get to work because there is much yet to do!"

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