Unlike many who seek public office, it wasn't something Ashley Lovell saw herself doing. Yet today, the Hoover native is announcing her run for the Hoover City Council, Place 3. City council president John Lyda currently holds the seat.
Lovell has become the face of the Tattersall community's fight against a wildly unpopular development. Speaking about what caused her to take the lead in fighting the development, Lovell told 1819 News, "Rather than sit on the sidelines and wait for someone to step up and protect it, I realized it's time for me to step up and act."
Her leadership has brought thousands of people together in a coordinated effort, which has put the project on hold until at least October.
Lovell says her motivation for running for the council is similar to her motivation for taking a lead role in opposing the zoning change. After what she's seen in recent months, she "couldn't in good conscience stand by and do nothing."
The fight over the development and zoning change opened her eyes to what she calls a broader problem in the City of Hoover: Current leaders who are tone-deaf to the concerns of those they represent.
Her personal observations and her children's future motivated her to run. She spoke passionately about the parallels between good parenting and good governance, saying, "I tell my kids to stand up to the bully, and I'm watching one."
The bully? John Lyda.
Following an incident of Lyda bullying that was caught on camera, fellow Hoover City Councilman Casey Middlebrooks described Lyda's behavior to other council members in an email, saying: "He has repeatedly engaged in personal attacks and threats against my character. Despite my attempts to maintain a professional dialogue, his behavior has become increasingly disrespectful and combative."
Councilman Steve McClinton told 1819 News that he "absolutely" agrees with Middlebrook's assessment of Lyda's behavior, but that's not why he is endorsing Lovell in her run for city council.
Saying emphatically that his endorsement is independent of Lyda's behavior, McClinton stressed that Lovell has his "full and unconditional support" because "she's a homegrown success story, an independently successful professional, and a successful mother."
McClinton met Lovell through her opposition to EBSCO's rezoning attempts. He was impressed by her commitment to her community and, more importantly, her family. Saying, "She's the epitome of a Hoover mom, a mama bear. Like every Hoover mom, she will protect the citizens of Hoover like she protects her kids."
Lovell touts her professional experience as a plus for the council. She has had a successful 14-year career in the sales and marketing division of a leading provider in the healthcare industry. She said, "This experience has shaped her belief that government should operate with the efficiency of a well-run business while always prioritizing the needs of its residents."
McClinton agreed, saying, "The Hoover Council needs someone with her business acumen to ask tough questions."
She wants to refocus the council on what makes Hoover great, changing the tone and "fostering a renewed sense of unity," which she said is missing now.
She has spoken to all of the current councilors on the Tattersall zoning issue, and with the exception of Lyda, she feels the rest of the council "have listened to her and have genuinely tried to understand the concerns of her community."
Lovell, 36, moved to Hoover in 1999. She grew up in the Hoover City School System, attending Rocky Ridge Elementary, Berry Middle School, and Spain Park High School before earning her degree from Birmingham-Southern College.
She was eager to brag about Hoover's school system, saying, "Hoover City schools are renowned. I moved my family here so that my two children can go to school here." If elected, she says, "I would double down on supporting them."
Lovell said her priorities are "Making sure the teachers feel appreciated because they're cultivating our future generations, making sure the schools are properly funded, and listening to hear new ideas."
She attended the Hoover State of the City address and the council meeting that followed that evening and stressed what a great job the Hoover Police Department, under the leadership of Chief Nick Derzis, is doing and emphasized her support for law enforcement. "Making sure we continue to see our city's crime statistics decline. They're currently at 18-year lows, which is phenomenal."
Lovell said she felt compelled to help the Council "rise to the moment together to build a future we're all proud of. When life calls us to step up, we have to do it."
On the eve of this announcement, she said she felt "like an athlete about to go into the arena. "
"Enough is enough. The work is laid out for you, but you're eager to win. The win is for the people. The win is for Hoover."
Apryl Marie Fogel is a Birmingham resident who frequently appears on and guest hosts radio programs around the state. She can be reached at aprylmarie.fogel@1819news.com or on X and Facebook at @aprylmarie.
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