Eddie Barton aims to continue progress in Phil Campbell with re-election bid
Eddie Barton
Eddie Barton has logged eight years of service as councilman in Phil Campbell, and he is eager to put another four years under his belt.
Barton is seeking re-election for Place No. 3 on the city council in Phil Campbell. For Barton, much of his ability as a councilman is illustrated by his involvement in recovery efforts following the April 2011 tornado.
“Due to the horrific devastation of the EF5 tornado, the whole town came together as one,” Barton said. “We had thousands of volunteers from all over the United States and also other countries, such as England, Scotland and Australia to help remove debris from different areas of the town.
“During his term as mayor, Jerry Mays and the council purchased the property where the Phil Campbell Memorial Park is today. My wife, Rita, who was director over Parks and Recreation, had a dream of putting a park in town and wanted the lot for the park. So the Mayor and council asked me to draw up a plan for the park,” Barton said. “I got several volunteers, including Bruce Forman, to make this happen. Today we have a wonderful park that can be used for different things, such as our Phil Campbell Hoedown Festival and other events.”
Barton added, “Also in my term, the mayor and council got over $1 million in grant monies to help complete the Phil Campbell Sportsplex. The children and adults are really enjoying the new fields and have had many tournaments and All-Stars games there.”
Barton also takes pride in the splash pad, pavilion and playground area.
“I also helped build the new playground at the Phil Campbell Elementary School, which Disney donated,” he said. “That was an experience I’ll always remember. The kids are enjoying it so much. I want to continue to do the most for our children in our community and will continue doing so if I’m re-elected.”
Other improvements in town, accomplished during Barton’s term, include the Industrial Park, which has one Industry that employs over 43 people and is still growing – there are other industries looking to build or relocate to the Industrial Park, Barton said. Additionally, “many of the streets have been repaved all over town. We have acquired about $14.4 million in grant monies that went into the infrastructure of the town, such as putting in a new sewer system and water tank that will help serve people in the Spruce Pine area,” he said.
Ultimately, “I want to continue working, to get the most for our community, and I’ll strive to do just that. I think the last eight years show what we have done in our town. I want to see new Industry come in here and see this town grow and prosper,” Barton said. “If you re-elect me Aug. 23, I will do my best to see new things come to town. I truly would appreciate your support.”
Barton is married to Rita, who is also seeking election for Place No. 4, and they have two children: son Chris, who is married to Tennille – and their two children, Tierney, a freshman at Northwest-Shoals Community College, and Kara, 10th grade at PCHS and on the PCHS dance line; and son Kevin, who is married to Sarha – and their two children, Autumn Grace, 4th grade at PCES, and Oliver, who will be 2 years old in December.
He worked in the mobile home industry for 18 years and worked at the former Golden Poultry/Goldkist/Pilgrims Pride in Russellville for 21 years. He is now employed by IHP in Russellville, for the last two years.
