Sandy Stimpson
| Sandy Stimpson | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Mobile | |
|
Assumed office November 4, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Sam Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
April 4, 1952 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Jean Miller (1975–present) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater |
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (BS) |
William S. "Sandy" Stimpson (born April 4, 1952) is an American politician who serves as the current mayor of Mobile, Alabama. He was elected August 27, 2013, with 54% of the vote, defeating incumbent Mayor Sam Jones.[1] He ran on a platform of making Mobile the safest, most business and family-friendly city in America by 2020.[2]
Early life and education
Born (April 4, 1952) and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Stimpson is a 1970 graduate of the University Military School, now known as UMS-Wright and received a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama in 1975.[3]
Career
Upon graduating from the University of Alabama, Stimpson began a 37-year career with Gulf Lumber Company and its successor, Scotch & Gulf Lumber. He worked his way up through the family business to become the Chief Financial Officer prior to leaving the company to run for office in 2012.[4]
One Mobile
Stimpson developed the concept of "One Mobile" on the campaign trail and has carried it into office. A non-profit organization "OneMobile.org" was stood up in April 2014.[5]
"The concept of “One Mobile” is that everyone wants a seat at the table, everyone wants to have a voice, so that as you make your plans to go forward that they feel like they’ve been heard. People recognize that we can’t capitalize on every single idea, but if they’re part of the process they’ll “buy-in.” The way to succeed is to get “buy-in” – you set a high vision, high goals, and then you get buy-in and then you work as a team, and when you do that, you get One Mobile."[6]
In the news
On May 30, 2014, Stimpson advocated for the appointment of his former opponent and predecessor Sam Jones to the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) board. Stimpson's support staved off racial tension building in the community because the Mobile City Council had previously voted along racial lines initially defeating the appointment.[7] In his remarks to the public, he called for a "Community Conversation on Race" which occurred on August 18, 2014.[8]
Two months into his administration, Stimpson announced on December 30, 2013, that he was canceling the employee pay raise promised during the campaign by Sam Jones. The raise was scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2014.[9]
Stimpson has come under criticism for appointing staff that live outside of the City of Mobile. Key staffers residing across Mobile Bay in Baldwin County include his Chief of Staff Colby Cooper, City Attorney Ricardo Woods and Communications Director George Talbot.[10]
In August 2013, the final month of the mayoral campaign, Stimpson announced that he would contribute $200,000 of his salary over four years to a bonus pool for employees who submit cost-saving or revenue-enhancing ideas implemented by the city.[11]
In May 2015, the mayor's son, Sands Stimpson was arrested for impersonating a police officer. He was later indicted by a grand jury on the charge.[12]
Personal life
Stimpson is married to the former Jean Miller of Brewton, Alabama.[13] They have four grown children (Billy, Virginia, Sands, Nancy), nine grandchildren and reside in Mobile, Alabama.
References
- ↑ "Sandy Stimpson elected as Mayor of Mobile", wkrg.com, August 27, 2013
- ↑ "What’s next for mayor-elect Sandy Stimpson?", lagniappe.com, September 4, 2013
- ↑ "From Privilege to Servant", AL.com, October 20, 2014
- ↑ Official Biography, CityofMobile.org
- ↑ "OneMobile.org"
- ↑ "Exclusive Sandy Stimpson Interview", modmobilian.com, April 2013
- ↑ "Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson calls on the City Council to appoint former Mayor Sam Jones to water board", AL.com, May 30, 2014
- ↑ "Hundreds Turnout for Race Forum", wkrg.com, August 18, 2014
- ↑ "Stimpson says city severely over budget; cancels raises promised by Jones", Lagniappe.com, December 30, 2013
- ↑ "Stimpson Makes Top Public Safety Appointments - Addresses Staffers Living in Baldwin", lagniappe.com, October 25, 2013
- ↑ "From Privilege to Servant", AL.com, October 20, 2014
- ↑ "Sands Stimpson in court to face impersonation charges", Fox10TV.com
- ↑ "Leader to Leader", Twelve23.org, April 4, 2013
External links
- Sandy Stimpson profile at the City of Mobile official website
Media related to Sandy_Stimpson at Wikimedia Commons