West Point Councilman Frankie Jones and Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Schafer at Monday night’s meeting o the West Point Town Council (Christy Perry for The Tribune)
WEST POINT, Ala. – The West Point Town Council met Monday evening with the death that morning of Mayor Kenneth Kilgo heavy on members’ minds and hearts. Kilgo died early Monday morning after several weeks in the hospital. He was 61 and had been mayor since 2006.
Mayor Pro Tem Gerald Schafer shared, “I knew Kenneth a long time. I think he loved West Point. He did a lot for West Point. He was a friend and I’m gonna miss him.” Council members responded with “Amen.”
Said Town Attorney Dan Willingham, “He was definitely a friend of your community. He worked hard as the mayor and he got a lot of things done. May not have always agreed with everybody on everything at one time, but I promise you, he worked hard and you’ve seen a lot of local growth through his leadership.”
Willingham explained the council’s options for naming a new mayor. The council can appoint a council member or any qualified elector who lives in West Point to the position. If the council decides to appoint one of its current members, it would then have to appoint a new council member from the community. Either way, the council will likely need to decide within 60 days. Willingham was not certain, but said, “It’s typically within 60 days.”
Out or respect for Kilgo, the council did not discuss possible replacements at Monday night’s meeting. Instead, it plans to hold a special executive session on Monday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m.
Other business
The council hopes to apply for a grant for the re-paving of County Road 1141. It said Ashley Graves from Cullman County Economic Development has offered to assist in the process. Residents with mailing addresses on County Road 1141 in West Point will be surveyed to meet part of the grant application requirements. Residents can expect to see representatives from Cullman County Economic Development over the next few weeks. The survey will also be available at the town hall during business hours.
The contingency plan for the parks and recreation department is almost complete as required by state legislation. The Coach Safety Act, which passed late last year, requires coaches to be certified in safety training and protocols. A defibrillator will also be purchased. The council said all training and other requirements will be met prior to the start of the spring ball season.
Willingham said he is also putting together a contingency plan for the Town of West Point on protocols and procedures to be followed during different emergency scenarios. The plan should be ready for approval as early as the scheduled March meeting.
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