I would like to begin by giving thanks to the former Mayor’s and Council men for the commitment and effort it took to start the process of incorporation. These men realized the need in this community for good clean water. Many people had to deal with iron water or little water if any. By incorporating the newly formed town was able to apply for a loan to bring water to West Jefferson and surrounding communities.
This was a great accomplishment in itself, but the town was also able to bring natural gas to the area by taking out another loan. These men not only took on the challenge of bringing these much needed services to the town, but many of these same men were in office long enough to see these loans paid in full.
Being a servant of the town for over 30 years now, I have been fortunate to see most of the town’s growth first hand. I look forward to continued growth for many years to come.
John Michael Colburn was born and raised in West Jefferson, and graduated from West Jefferson High School in 1987. John Michael has had the privilege of serving the people of Jefferson County for the last 18 years as a Property Appraiser for the Jefferson County Board of Equalization. John Michael is also an ordained Baptist minister, having served as pastor at several churches in both Jefferson and Walker counties. He and his wife Cindy are currently active members of West Jefferson Baptist Church.
John Michael’s goal as a Councilman for the Town of West Jefferson is “to serve the residents of the Town of West Jefferson with distinction, always striving to help our town remain the absolute best home town in Alabama!” He hopes to accomplish that through continued efforts to seek out new businesses for the town, as well as growing our town’s “footprint” in the community through the annexation of property.
Spencer Tuggle has lived in West Jefferson his entire life. He a 1967 Graduate of West Jefferson High School. He is retired from Jefferson County Board of Education where he was employed for 20 years and Southern Machine for 25 years.
Spencer Tuggle is currently serving his second term on the Council. Spencer has been married to Jan Tuggle for 41 years. He has 2 sons Brent Tuggle and wife Leigh. Brad Tuggle and wife Brittany. He has 2 Grandchildren, Spencer Ann and Brock Tuggle.
Spencer is a member of West Jefferson Baptist church where he currently serves as a deacon.
I am currently serving my fourth term on the Council. I graduated from Berlin American High School in Berlin Germany in 1967. I graduated from Birmingham Southern College in 1972 with a BFA and then the University of Alabama in 1974 with a MFA. Prior to serving on the council I was a member of the volunteer fire department.
I became a permanent resident of the town in 1979, becoming the third generation of the Hughes Family to live in the community. My mother’s families, the Bookout’s have been in the area for several generations. I have been married to Charlotte Aycox Hughes for 28 years; I have two sons (Joshua) and Tonya Hughes who have two daughters Abby and Hanna of Maylene. (Adam) and Allison Hughes of Sumiton.