Former Algood Mayor Lisa Fowler said the establishment of a full-time fire department stands as one of the most significant achievements during her time in leadership.
Fowler said the Algood charter restricts officials to serving only two terms as mayor or council person. Fowler said she would have likely sought another term if she had been eligible to run again.
“I could have run for city council, you can do that, swap from one to the other, but I just thought that maybe it was time for some new ideas,” Fowler said. “But believe me, if I hadn’t been termed out, I would probably have run for another term.”
Fowler said the city now has a fire chief and dedicated staff to manage calls as the community continues to expand its retail and dining options.
“We needed as we continue to grow, we have more customers that we would like or more citizens we’d like to serve and more shopping and dining opportunities and of course we want to serve them as well as retailers,” Fowler said. “And so it was important that we still have mostly an all-volunteer fire department, but at least we now have the groundwork set up for a full-time fire department, we have a fire chief, we have someone there to man the phones and I guess overall, that would be what I am most proud of.”
Fowler said she first served as city judge starting in 1994 before being elected to her first term as mayor in 2002. Fowler said she returned to politics eight years ago after taking a break to focus on her career as an attorney.
“Before I became mayor, Algood was quite controversial and it seemed like there was always something ugly going on in town or we had different personalities pulling at each other and I made it a point when I came in to say, ‘look, we’re all individuals, we’re all citizens, we’re all going to treat each other like ladies and gentlemen, and if you can’t do that then I’m going to excuse you from a meeting,’” Fowler said.
Fowler said the arrival of Walmart during her first term provided a major boost to sales tax revenue and the city budget. Fowler said this financial growth allowed the municipality to increase services, though it also brought the necessity for more infrastructure like water lines, sewer, and police protection.
“People ask for things and yet they don’t really realize that it costs money to do them,” Fowler said. “And so kind of tongue in cheek I’ve said, okay, what do you want to give up? Do you want to give up your trash pickup? Do you want to give up police protection? Do you want me to where do you want me to cut? And I can give you the money for the park. But people have to learn or realize that running a city is just like having your own home budget.”
Fowler said she is adjusting to her new role as a civilian but will remain involved as a volunteer for city committees. Fowler said she was also approved to serve as a backup city judge when the primary judge is unavailable for court.
“It was bittersweet after you’ve worked with people for eight years practically on a daily basis and you’ve done events and you’ve been there in the hard times and you’ve been there in the good times that it was it was hard to say goodbye,” Fowler said.