Prattville council will appoint successor to late Councilor Albert Striplin

PRATTVILLE − The Prattville City Council will appoint a person to fill out the unexpired term of District 1 representative Albert Striplin, who died in August .

The council deemed the seat vacant and laid out the process for filling the seat during its meeting Tuesday night. Striplin, 70, died Aug. 27 after a months-long health issue.

He was serving his third full term on the council representing District 1, joining the board in 2011. He served as council president from 2016 to 2020.

More: Prattville leader and city councilman Albert Striplin dies

There are about 11 months left in the term. Residents of District 1 who want to apply for the position are asked to send letters and resumes to the city clerk’s office starting Monday, Sept. 23 through Oct. 4. The office is at City Hall, 101 W. Main St. The office is closed each day from 11 a.m. until noon for lunch.

Council President Lora Lee Boone said the council will hold public interviews of the applicants sometime in October. The plan is to appoint the person during the first meeting in November.

This marks the third time this council has dealt with a vacancy. Special elections were called when Jerry Starnes was elected to the Legislature from his post as council president, and when Blair Gornto announced his resignation while in office.

Tommy Merrick was elected to fill Starnes unexpired term for District 4. Michael Whaley was elected to fill out Gornto’s unexpired term for District 5.

Ironically, Striplin came to the council by way of appointment.

Then-Mayor Jim Byard Jr. resigned to become ADECA director under then Gov. Robert Bentley. Bill Gillespie was serving as council president at the time. Gillespie succeeded Byard as mayor, and Striplin was appointed to fill out Gillespie’s council term.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Marty Roney at mroney@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Prattville council will appoint successor to late Councilor Albert Striplin