Another candidate qualifies for Ward 1 seat

Ward 1 resident Andy Gwaltney has filed to run for the Place 1 city council seat in August's municipal elections. The seat is currently held by Michael Hallman, who is running for mayor, and the other candidate for the position is Mary Ellen Snell.

Gwaltney has lived in Edgewood for six years and works at AT&T. He also was a co-founder of Cahaba Brewing Company.

He and his wife, Lauren, and children — Lilly, 5, and Adalyn, 2, — are members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Gwaltney is also an officer at Free the Hops, has participated in the city's Municipal Housing Code Abatement Board and helped coordinate the American Heart Association Heart Walk and United Way service through AT&T.

While he has not held an elected office before, Gwaltney said his business experience would help move both his ward and the entire city of Homewood forward. Continuing pedestrian and parking improvements are also important to him, and Gwaltney said he would like to establish newsletters and round table discussions to keep up with the residents of his ward.

"We also need to preserve our vibrant and unique neighborhoods for generations to come through an open dialogue," Gwaltney said.

Follow Gwaltney's campaign on Facebook, Twitter at @andygwaltney and Instagram at @voteforandy.