Three candidates have announced their intention to run for Homewood City Council Ward 3, with Chris Lane, Keith Young, and John Manzelli vying for the newly redrawn seat.
Lane, the founder of C Lane Company, one of the Southeast's leading produce distributors, announced last week that he is seeking the seat. Lane helped lead the successful effort to protect Downtown Homewood when the city proposed to rezone the area.
On his Facebook page, Lane said, "Homewood needs practical leadership. The kind that reads every line, asks tough questions and keeps the public informed. That's the kind of council member I intend to be."
He ran for mayor in 2020, focusing his campaign on the need for increased transparency, public involvement, and reform in the city's operations. Nearly five years later, he said, those issues remain unresolved — and the stakes are even higher.
"In 2020, we pushed for meaningful changes to how our city government works. Five years later, we still have work to do," Lane said in a statement. "Too often, important decisions are made behind closed doors — and by the time citizens realize they should care, it's already too late. That's not how local government should work."
Young is currently the only candidate who has filed with the Secretary of State's office, showing that he has raised $7,900 to date. His campaign website states, "Keith is a 12-year resident of Homewood and currently resides in the Mayfair area of Ward 3. He graduated with a B.S. in political science and history from Jacksonville State University. Keith is a small business owner, the father of a high-spirited 3-year-old, and the husband of Summer Young."
Among his listed priorities are "Honest and ethical representation," which he said "means taking fiscal responsibility seriously — especially in the wake of past mismanagement. It means making sure every dollar is spent wisely, every voice is heard, and every neighborhood gets the attention it deserves."
Manzelli has become a household name in Homewood for his efforts to rally neighbors in opposition to Samford's proposed development, and he is also running for the seat. A statement on his website said, "My name is John Manzelli, and over the last two months, I've proudly stood with you — my neighbors — to fight against the overdevelopment of the Creekside Project by Landmark. Thanks to a powerful grassroots effort, we won. But the work doesn't stop here. Inspired by your passion and love for our town, I'm running to represent Ward 3 on the Homewood City Council. There is a lot of work to be done to move Homewood forward and into the future. I'm Ready To Do That Work."
Among his listed goals are several that deal directly with his experience with the Creekside Development, "Promote responsible, transparent development by Samford—supporting their growth, generating tax revenue for the city, and respecting surrounding neighborhoods," and "Implement a more responsive communication platform with a text-based alert system to enhance the city's communication capabilities and ensure timely, effective dissemination of information to residents."
This election cycle, the number of councilors will be reduced from 11 to four. Each will be designated to represent one of four wards. There will also be a mayor elected city-wide who will serve as council president, creating a five-person body.
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Qualifying began June 10 and ends June 24. Municipal elections will be held on August 26. Details on Homewood municipal elections can be found on the city's Elections website, which provides important dates and updates on the current form of council and government.
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