Q&A with candidates in Huntsville City Council District 5 race

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Two candidates are running for Huntsville City Council District 5: Kim Caudle Lewis and incumbent John Meredith.

District 5 covers most of the area west of Research Park Boulevard to Limestone County and a portion of the city east of Research Park Boulevard between Oakwood and University Drive.

News 19 sent questions to each candidate in the race for this city council seat. Here are the answers sent to us by the candidates.

*Editors note: The answers below are as provided by the candidates and any edits made were strictly for grammar or clarity.

1. Can you provide a brief biography? How has your background shaped your decision to run for the Huntsville City Council?

Lewis : I am a North Alabama native, born and raised in Triana and now residing in Huntsville with my family.

I ventured into entrepreneurship in 2002, establishing PROJECTXYZ, a business providing tech, manufacturing, and engineering services to commercial and governmental clients. Alongside my husband, Larry, we own and operate several businesses across the region, including the Entrepreneurial Center (TEC 515), supporting start-ups and small businesses. My success as a businesswoman has enabled me to invest in other small businesses, safeguarding jobs and fostering community anchors for future generations. Additionally, I served as the first Black female Board Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce, driving significant capital investments and job creation during my tenure. I have also contributed to my community through various board roles including PTA involvement at my daughter’s school.

Civic engagement has always been a cornerstone of my life. My passion for community care drives me forward, as I firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. This belief is at the heart of my campaign and ultimately motivated me to run for political office

Meredith : I am the son of civil rights icon, James Meredith. His legacies in the field of education and government shaped who I am today.

Having lobbied Congress for roughly twenty years, I understand the legislative process and service on various local boards allowed me to hone my skills in Parliamentary procedures. These two experiences have served me well as a Council Member.

2. What concerns are you consistently hearing from residents? What will you do to address those concerns?

Lewis : In my conversations with voters on the campaign trail, a recurring theme has been the allocation of taxpayer money. Many have expressed frustration over the use of tax dollars to fund privatized projects while crucial infrastructure maintenance within their neighborhoods is being neglected.

A good example of this came to light during a conversation our team had with an elderly gentleman earlier this month. He shared his frustration about the overgrown flood drains in his neighborhood, which had become a breeding ground for animals and a trap for trash. He also mentioned a median on Jordan Lane that the city used to maintain but is now being maintained by one of his neighbors out of her own pocket, which he feels is unfair. He expressed that it was frustrating for him, especially as he watched his tax dollars go toward projects in the city.

It’s essential for constituents to feel like their tax dollars are being used to address their community’s needs first, and examples like these highlight the importance of prioritizing infrastructure maintenance and ensuring equitable access to city services. By actively engaging with our voters, we can make certain that their voices and perspectives are heard and incorporated into decision-making processes, resulting in more informed and effective policies that better reflect the needs of our constituents.

Meredith : Development; roads and traffic; need to expand Meals on Wheels to west Huntsville.

I am currently working on updating the master plan for west Huntsville. This will allow us to better plan for future growth and ensure infrastructure, especially our roads, is in place in advance of growth whenever possible.

I will also move to raise the funding for street resurfacing to augment the record funding secured over the last four years for major roadway projects in District 5, including the widening of I-565.

Additionally, I am working with the Senior Center and the Madison County Commission to bring Meals on Wheels to those seniors currently not being served.

3. Can you tell us two ideas you have for addressing housing affordability and housing conditions?

Lewis: Scarcity drives markets, and the lack of available housing is no exception. Experts warn that low housing inventory will continue to drive market costs out of reach for average working-class citizens. This issue is compounded by the growing population as more jobs relocate to southern states, leading to a housing market that is rising at a rate that makes it difficult for many to keep up.

One solution to this problem, as we know, is to increase housing inventory. Many subdivisions being built are for luxury homes that are only accessible to the upper middle class and above. It is crucial to focus on building homes that can be sold at lower price points to increase inventory for middle-class and lower-class families.

Another option is to convert older and abandoned homes into livable spaces that can be resold. Many neighborhoods in the state of Alabama are full of empty or vacant homes. While many of these homes are not currently habitable, they could be transformed into quality places to live with some tender love and care.

As a city council member, much of my work will revolve around city planning and zoning. Supporting and approving projects that help meet the housing inventory need will be a top priority for me. I am committed to ensuring that housing in Huntsville remains accessible, affordable, and meets the market demand.

Meredith : First, the enactment of ordinances addressing the right of property owners to have ADUs and stricter standards and penalties for landlords with compliance violations.

Then adopting a policy that promotes multiple zoning within a single subdivision. This will allow for a myriad of different housing options in the same community, leading to broader range of price points and housing options.

4. Are you satisfied with the direction of growth in District 5? What concerns do you have ? What would you do as a City Council member to ensure consistent and well-managed growth?

Lewis : Navigating the development of a city that is growing as rapidly as Huntsville is a complex task. I appreciate the efforts of those who have worked to make Huntsville what it is today. That being said, I do believe there are opportunities for improvement.

Many constituents agree that while we invest in new development, the needs of current residents are being overlooked. This disparity is particularly evident in parts of Limestone County within District 5, where essential services like schools and fire departments are scarce. As we continue to grow, it’s imperative that we ensure our infrastructure can support the district’s expansion without compromising the quality of life for our residents.

Meredith : Yes, but I think we need to plan that growth more efficiently moving forward. I am concerned we need to increase our capacity to generate/transmit electricity as we expand but believe we will be able to increase our current levels in the near term and avoid future rolling brown-outs.

Finishing the update to our west Huntsville master plan will go a long way to ensure consistent well-managed growth.

5. Who is someone that has been an inspiration for you?

Lewis : My family is what inspires me the most, without a doubt. They’re the reason I work so hard. I do it for my kids and my grandkids, for the security of their future. My family means everything to me. So much of what I’ve accomplished is because of them. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for their love, support, and encouragement along the way.

Meredith : My father, James Meredith.

6. Tell us something about you that might surprise voters …

Lewis : I think it would surprise voters to learn that I am the youngest of 10 children and that I grew up on a farm in Triana, Alabama.

Meredith : I enjoy gardening.

7. Why should voters choose you?

Lewis : I believe that voters should choose me because I have a proven track record of showing up for my community, working hard, and getting things done. Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with our local government on multiple initiatives, particularly in the areas of education, job creation, and economic development. From owning my own business for over two decades to serving on multiple boards, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge, insights, and transferable skills that I am eager to leverage for the betterment of District 5 and Huntsville as a whole. My love for my district runs deep, and I am excited and ready to continue serving my community in this new capacity.

Meredith : Because I am the only candidate in the race with a record of results. District 5 residents know that when they have issues, I will work tirelessly to favorably resolve them.

For instance, at a town hall, constituents wanted the intersection of Balch and Capshaw Roads improved. Now they have a new intersection that better serves their needs.

A lack of fire protection was communicated to me and now we have a new fire station, Engine 20, to serve the needs of those living in the westernmost portions of our city.

And those are just two examples.

Finally, District 5 is unlike every other Council district. With so much multi- jurisdictional area within the district, positive collaboration with other local government officials and service providers is a must in order to deliver the best possible representation to constituents. I have those relationships, and in many cases have already worked collaboratively with folks from the Harvest-Monrovia Water Authority, Athens Utilities, Limestone County Economic Development Authority, as well as Limestone and Madison County Commissioners to raise the quality of life in District 5.

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