HUNTSVILLE – Surrounded by supporters in front of the new Huntsville City Hall, City Councilman John Meredith officially launched his reelection campaign Tuesday for the District 5 seat.
The district encompasses west Huntsville and stretches into Limestone County. Meredith was elected in 2021, unseating former Councilman Will Culver.
Meredith said he is “running on a record of success.”
“Four years ago, when I came into office, our streets were in dire need of resurfacing. We had no recreational centers,” he said. “Within the confines of the district, which is the largest district, and the City Council, our firefighters were stretched very thin, protecting our homes and our businesses and EMS services were even thinner. Lack of Greenway connectivity plagued our ability to enjoy the outdoor recreational facilities.”
Since that time, Meredith said, there have been many improvements.
“Our roads are brighter because we’ve invested in putting street lights up in our darkest, unlighted areas,” he said. “We have had over 60 neighborhood street resurfacing projects approved and we have a new fire station that will be going in to serve those in the westernmost portions that should be opening this summer.
“That is a record of results.”
Meredith also highlighted significant investments in recreation in District 5.
“I have worked diligently to secure $21 million for parks and recreational opportunities for the people in my district,” he said. ‘We now have the first-ever rent center coming into the 5th District. We have Apollo Park that will be opening tentatively the first week of September as an outdoor gathering place for people in District 5.
“And we have the Miller Branch Greenway project that will connect to the Singing River Trail of greenways that will open up all new abilities and facilities for those that are into biking and walking down those trails.”
Supporters on hand for the announcement were quick to voice their support. Brian Webb and Leslie Coulter said they live at the intersection of Balch and Capshaw roads.
“The congestion was horrific. It would take you a good 15 minutes just to go a block and a half,” said Coulter. “John listened to our concerns and we’ve got new turn lanes going in and a new bypass lane for those that are continuing westbound on Capshaw that they don’t get hung up as bad.”
“He’s been very receptive,” said Webb. “I mean, he’s been available when we needed to talk to him, he would return our calls and messages and he’s actually come face to face in person a couple of times to talk to us about some of the issues.”
In April, Kim Caudle Lewis, owner and CEO of PROJECTXYZ, announced her candidacy for the District 5 council seat saying many of the district’s basic needs are not being addressed.
Meredith disagrees with Lewis’ assessment of progress in the district.
“I would just say if you look at where we were, look at the deliverables, tangible deliverables that have happened in the last four years, there’s not a whole lot that hasn’t happened in District 5 and it’s a whole lot of individual neighborhoods benefiting,” he said.
“So I would love to see and talk to her about what she feels is lacking, because I don’t see it.”
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