Mayor Tommy Battle, Council Members John Meredith and Michelle Watkins take oath of office; Council elects new president

Published on November 4, 2024

Surrounded by family and friends, Mayor Tommy Battle and Council Members John Meredith and Michelle Watkins were sworn into office to begin four-year terms, each pledging to advance Huntsville's progress.

Beginning his fifth term, Mayor Battle took the oath from Municipal Judge Lonzo Robinson. The Mayor was accompanied by his son, Drew Battle, daughter-in-law Lauren Battle and grandsons George and Benjamin Battle.

[Link]Mayor Battle shakes hands with Municipal Court Judge Lonzo Robinson after taking the oath of office.

"We have brought in industry to provide jobs so that everyone has that opportunity, so that we have jobs for everyone, not just a certain few, but everybody," Mayor Battle said. "And we have everybody at the table, everybody has that opportunity. So as we've done that, we've taken care of our future for the next 10, 15, maybe even 20 years. Now the job that we have today is to start working on that future that's 20 or 25 years away and make sure that our future is just as bright tomorrow as it is today."

Madison County Probate Judge Frank Barger administered the oath to Meredith to begin his second term as the District 5 representative. He was accompanied by his wife, Tina Palacios.

"As the next four years unfold," Meredith said, "I look forward to continuing to not only listen to but to empower constituent voices, raising the quality of life in District 5 and working hand in hand with my colleagues and the administration to Huntsville the very best it can be."

[Link]Council Members, from left, Jennie Robinson, Bill Kling, John Meredith, David Little and Michelle Watkins.

Watkins took her first oath of office after being elected to represent District 1. Retired Madison County District Judge Martha Lynn Sherrod administered the oath to Watkins, accompanied by her mother, Bettye Lanier-Carter, and her uncle, Tommy Milton.

"This opportunity did not come lightly," Watkins said. "It came at a cost. To whom much is given, much is required. I plan on doing the work. Jeremiah 29:11, my favorite Bible verse, 'For I know the plans I have for you, plans for a future.' And District 1, we have a future. I look forward to working with you, Mayor Battle, and I look forward to working with my Council members and this is going to be a phenomenal time for District 1."

Following the Oath of Office ceremony, the Council met for its annual organizational meeting and elected officers for one-year terms. The Council voted Meredith as president, Jennie Robinson as president pro tem and Bill Kling as third presiding officer.

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