He was called “The Second Chance Mayor” and “The Comeback Mayor.”
Larry Barton, mayor of Talladega in two different time periods, has died of cancer at age 85.
“From the Mill Village to the Mayor’s office.”
Barton grew up in Bemiston, the mill village just outside of Talladega for housing Bemis Company employees.
Barton had risen from a barber to win the mayor’s office in this historical east Alabama city featuring NASCAR races, old Southern homes and the movie “Talladega Nights.”
Barton led an active administration, buying the historic Ritz Theater, now restored as an active events venue. He developed the municipal golf course and recruited or expanded an estimated 100 businesses to the town.
Then, he ran into legal trouble. Mayor Barton had been paying a “stump man” named Jackson using City funds. When critics questioned the payments, the stump man disappeared or could not be located. Barton was indicted, tried and convicted. He lost the mayor’s job and served time in federal prison. While there, he wrote an autobiography, "From Politics to Prison,” that addressed the prosecution he called “politically motivated.”
After serving his sentence, Barton returned to Talladega and his craft of barbering. He sold the idea that he had been selectively prosecuted to a majority of the townspeople and, in 2011, was elected mayor again. "The Comeback Mayor."
In 2015, Mayor Barton was assaulted outside his barber shop by a former business partner and suffered injuries.
Throughout his political and barbering careers, Barton and his wife Mary played gospel music with “The Pioneers.” He belted out a dominant piano and singing.
Mayor Barton ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for lt. governor in the 1980s, before the GOP took over Alabama.
Barton became a local media personality, hosting a weekly TV talk show each Sunday night. It became popular in eastern Alabama as Barton tackled controversial issues and challenged political leaders.
At Barton’s request, there will be no funeral.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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