HEADLAND: After 16 years on the Headland City Council , when Ray Marler resigned and took over as Henry County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge, Councilman Jody Singleton was appointed Mayor of Headland.
For the past 8 months or so Jody Singleton has taken over the ropes of Mayor and managed the City of Headland well. He and the members of the Headland City Council work well together. And that relationship is what brongs your town together to grow in the future. Growth with the small town atmosphere.
As Councilman for the past 16 years and now as Mayor Jody Singleton is approachable. He is genuinely interested in people and their needs. Also in his professional life as a CPA ( Certified Public Accountant ) he kows what details to look at to maintain the City of Headland on a positive economic track.
As Mayor, managing the day to day staff, to be successful one must have county, state and national contacts. And Jody Singleton has developed those contacts over his life, most especially over the past 16 years serving on the Headland City Council.
Recently I observed one of the meetings Mayor Jody Singleton was in charge of. He was kind to each councilman, listening to them. He was kind to the public and interacted in the meetings. He kept order and the meeting flowed well. No drama, just calm and professional business.
So on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, RSN urges te registered voters of Headland Alabama to elect Jody Singleton as your Mayor.
FROM WWW.JODYSINGLETON.NET
As mayor, my priorities are clear:
– Maintain the growth and quality of life that make Headland such a special place
– Improve transparency and communication between city leadership and our community
– Serve with honesty, integrity, and a true commitment to the people of Headland
This is my hometown, and I care deeply about our future. I’m asking for your vote on August 26, and I look forward to continuing the conversation with you in the weeks ahead.
Thank you for your support. Let’s keep Headland moving forward together.
Putting Headland First with a Promise of Excellence
Community Engagement
Actively listening to residents and incorporating your voices into every decision we make.
Public Safety
Investing in our First Responders to enhance protection and emergency services for all.
Economic Development
Attracting new businesses, supporting local entrepreneurs, and creating jobs to strengthen our economy.
Infrastructure Improvement
Upgrading roads, clean water systems, and a current $2.5 million investment in sewer and wastewater capacity to prepare for future growth.
Youth Programs
Expanding recreational programs and facilities to give our youth safe, engaging, and empowering opportunities.
Quality of Life
Fostering a vibrant, healthy, and connected community through a variety of cultural experiences and family focused events.
Transparency and Accountabilit
Committed to open communication, fiscal responsibility, and building trust through every action we take.
COTTONWOOD: The registered voters of the City of Cottonwood will go to the polls this Tuesday, August 26, 2025 to decide the future path of their city.
In what I will call one of the worst campaign seasons witnessed, not because of the two candidates, but “ some “ of the supporters, the race of Mayor has been one hot race. A lot of accusations have run rapidly in circles.
SET THE STAGE
In January 2025 the Mayor Pro Tem resigned. The sitting council named Councilman Van Granger as Mayor Pro Tem. Then the current Mayor, James Coachman resigned for health reasons. The Mayor rolled to the Mayor Pro Tem and the Council later selected Van Granger as Mayor.
MAYOR OF THE CITY
In most cities the Mayor is the Chief Executive Officer who manages the entire city operations and staff. Nothing critical of James Coachman tenure but he was not a hands on manager. Van Granger was a hands on manager, wanting to know all aspects of the city government.
Staff hates to be asked questions. Most especially when they had little to no supervision and now had supervision. The members of the City Council were asking questions about financial matters. And they were not getting answers or documentation with credit card expenditures. The financial data was not being provided at council meetings and checks were bouncing. And Van Granger was not getting answers to his questions for himself and the council members.
Mayor Van Granger was reeling in overtime hours which had gotten out of control. Some salaries had gone from $ 30,000.00 to $ 44,000.00 in a year, which was not Mayor/Council approved but overtime hours with no justification.
Finally Mayor Van Granger had enough. Election was coming up and close friends of Van Granger urged him to wait on changes until after the election. But Mayor Van Granger replied, the City of Cottonwood can not wait until after the election, and even if it costs him the election, he felt that he had to do what was best for the City of Cottonwood and the financial stability.
So Cottonwood Mayor Van Granger made changes. And the drama and rumors began. And Mayor Van Granger, on advise of legal council, like Steadman Shealy, advised the Mayor that he could not speak about the matters.
THE MAYORS RACE
Two candidates for Mayor for the City of Cottonwood, Van Granger and Sara Welch.
From all I can find both fine people. However there is major differences.
VAN GRANGER
Van Granger has proven in 8 months that he can ask tough questions, and make tough decisions in management for what he feels is in the best interest in the City of Cottonwood. Not focused on election, but making the decisions to right the ship. Which has caused him a lot of grief and drama from people who do not know the inside details of the City of Cottonwood. Making decisions which are not popular but to make the City of Cottonwood stable.
SARA WELCH
On Thursday I visited Sara Welch’s house. I spoke with her and asked about a interview. She had been working in the yards so we decided on Friday for the interview. Told Ms. Welch where my office was located and we discussed the approximate time. Ms. Welch was a no show.
From the community everyone speaks kindly of Ms. Welch. She lives in government housing and has now moved to her brothers home. Her brother, now deceased, was a man named Boyette who held a Ku Klux Klan rally in May 1998 in Cottonwood. Ms. Welch still has her government housing residence but lives in her now deceased brother’s home.
While Ms. Welch is a fine lady, having the strength to manage the staff of the City of Cottonwood and right the ship financially, not sure that Ms. Welch has the management skills to do so. And those terminated quickly jumped on the Welch bandwagon because of their being mad at now Mayor Van Granger. And the combined supporters of Ms. Welch have caused turmoil.
THIS PAST WEEK’S CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Some vocal supporter’s of Ms. Welch and opponents to Van Granger were denied privileges of the floor. So they were setting up a large projector screen directly across from the Cottonwood City Hall to challenge the City Council meeting. Because of fear of possible violence Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza was asked to assist the Cottonwood Police. When four Houston County Sheriff Deputies rolled into Cottonwood City Hall that ended the drama across the street.
ELECTION
A lot of FACEBOOK rhetoric. Some saying to save their town on election and are opponents of Van Granger. And most FACEBOOK chatter are close friends with some affected with management decisions to try and right the ship that have been made by Mayor Van Granger.
The drama comes down to a simple issue: No one wanted to be managed and wanted to continue to do as they please.
Some of the staff would not allow the Mayor access to office or financial data. And would not answer his questions. Money was found never deposited and the grant paperwork on money to replace the fire station and senior citizens center was not completed. Alabama State Representative Paul Lee and Alabama State Senator Donnie Chesteen, following the tornado, secured funding for construction of the Fire Department and Senior Citizens Center.
When signing a document in front of a Notary Public you are under oath. The accusations floating around, unless the statements are notarized which would mean perjury would attach, they are just drama designed to sway the election.
While Ms. Welch is a fine lady, it is the opinion that the City of Cottonwood’s future is in electing Van Granger as Mayor. Someone with the strong hand to make difficult decisions, who will make city staff work in service of the citizens. Who will make sure financial data is accurate and transparent to the citizens of Cottonwood.
And he made the decisions that were not popular, not concerned about the election but only concerned about the stability of the City of Cottonwood.
This election is very important and the future of Cottonwood depends on it.
Ashford’s Future Is on the Ballot This August 26th
My name is Blake Rosenkoetter,
Ashford’s Future Is on the Ballot This August 26th
My name is Blake Rosenkoetter, and I am running for Mayor of Ashford.First and foremost, I am a follower of Christ.My faith guides the way I lead, the way I serve, and the way I make decisions.I am not a politician. I am a servant leader, a businessman, a husband and father of four and a City Council member for the last 5 years.
My wife, Hayden, and I have been married for nearly ten years, and together we are raising our four children here in Ashford.While I may not have grown up here myself, Hayden’s family has deep roots in this community.Through her family’s history and my own service on the City Council, I’ve come to appreciate Ashford’s traditions while also seeing the potential we have to grow stronger together.
On Tuesday, August 26, the people of Ashford will make a decision that will shape our city’s future for years to come.Local elections don’t always grab headlines, but they have the greatest impact on our daily lives from the strength of our businesses, to the opportunities we create for our children, to the quality of life we build together as a community.
As a father, I want my children to grow up in a community where opportunity is strong, where businesses are supported, and where families can thrive.As a husband, I want to do my part to help build a city that reflects the values of faith, family, and hard work.
“Ashford does not need another promise.We need progress.And progress starts with leadership that puts people first.”
This election is not about how big we can grow. It is about how well we can live.We have the chance to raise the standard of life in Ashford with stronger opportunities for our youth, a community where our seniors feel valued and supported, and a city where local businesses are not just present, but thriving.
This is not just another election.It is our chance to move Ashford forward with accountability, fairness, and vision.I am asking for your trust, your support, and your vote on Tuesday, August 26 at the Ashford Train Depot.Together, we can make Ashford not just bigger, but better.
Single-Vehicle Semi-Truck Crash on U.S. Hwy 84 West of Elba Claims One Life
ELBA, Ala. — August 23, 2025 — At approximately 11:15 p.m. (2315 hrs) on Friday, August 22, 2025, first responders were dispatched to a single-vehicle motor-vehicle crash involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 84 west of Elba, near the city-limits sign. The vehicle left the roadway and came to rest inverted down an embankment in a creek.
The driver, Mr. Robert Lane Fennell, of Troy, Alabama, was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Multiple agencies responded and provided assistance, including Elba Fire Department, Opp Fire Department, Dothan Fire Department (HazMat Team), Coffee County Emergency Management Agency, New Brockton Fire Department, Enterprise Rescue, the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), and other supporting partners.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Elba Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the 12th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office, Coffee County Sheriffs Office and the Coffee County Coroner’s Office. No further details are being released at this time.
“This is a tragic incident, and we ask the community to keep the family and friends of Mr. Fennell in your prayers as they navigate this unexpected loss,” said Arnold Woodham, Coffee County Coroner.
Dothan School Board Member Brenda Guilford filed a lawsuit on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM in Houston County Circuit Court against Dothan School Board Elect Chairperson Julie Mullins Turner.
Guilford states that she is owner and operator of a daycare center since 1991, namely Brenda’s Preparatory School located at 1792 Headland Avenue in Dothan, Alabama. Guilford also states that she has served on the Dothan School Board for 5 consecutive terms. That Guilford is the longest serving member of the Dothan City Schools and has just been re-elected for the sixth term.
Guilford claims that Julie Mullins-Turner is a retired educator who has previously worked at the Alabama Department of Education and Dothan City Schools. Guilford also claims in the LinkedIn profile that Mullins-Turner was the System Accountability Coordinator for the Dothan City SChools from April 2006 – June 2011.
Guilford claims Julie Mullins-Turner at one point became a digital creator on Facebook where she earned a reputation and following as a critic of the Dothan City Shool System and that she built a substantial following on Social Media. Guilford claims around March 2025 that Julie Mullins-Turner disareed with a vote and went live and was alleged to have said “we have people to run and we are taking those seats…”. And in the same video that Julie Mullins-Turner alleged that “one of those board members taking sitting over there taking $ 90,000.00, $ 53,000.00 a year for their preschool…and just so you know, that was the grant I was asked to change”.
And the suit goes on with more and is posted for your reading pleasure.
The suit goes on for 10 pages. Dothan School Board Member Brenda Guilford is represented by Kyle Pierce, Attorney At Law, with Pierce & Pierce Attorneys PLLS, 807 Chestnut Street, Gadsden, Alabama.
RSN COMMENTS
When a lawsuit is filed a party gets a case number. With that case number the parties can obtain subpoenas for information and documents. And in civil cases the parties have the authority to take depositions and testimony under the penatlies of perjury.
So the flood gate has been opened on both sides, and documents which possibly been hidden from the public, phone records, emails, internal memos, financials, grants, and…. To include but not limited to those of Dothan City Schools, Brenda Guilford, Brenda’s Preparatory School, Julie Mullins-Turner, and more and more !!!
HEADLAND: This past Tuesday night in a regular Headland City Council Meeting the Alabama Police Chief Association made presentations.
The meeting opended by Headland Mayor Jody Singleton with Pledge of Allegiance and prayer was followed by presentations from the Alabama Police Chief Association represented by Andalusia Police Chief Paul Hudson.
The presetnations were presented, seperately, to Headland Police Department – Chief Mark Jones and Kinsey Police Department – Chief JIm Mock.
The Alabama Police Chief Association is working towards making Alabama Police Departments accredited and uniform in their operation. Headland and Kinsey Police Departments were the first of 12 Alabama Police Departments accredited. Kinsey Police Department was the smallest of the 12 accredited.
To be accredited requires hands on from the accredidation committee where they come into the police department and evaulate their policy and procedures. How the police department operates and is managed from administrative to in the field.
Headland Mayor Jody Singleton and the entire City Council congratulated both departments for the achievements and thanked them for what they do. Mayor Jody SIngleton also thanked Kinsey Police Department for their working relationships with Headland with the two towns joining each other.
Kinsey Mayor Jason Reneau was on hand for the presentation.
