CULLMAN, Ala. – The Colony Town Council on Tuesday evening said its official good-bye to outgoing Mayor Donnis Leeth. Town hall was filled with those who supported and those who opposed him in the campaign, which he lost in August to Councilman Curtis Johnson, along with incoming council members. Johnson was not present, reportedly attending training in Montgomery for his new office.
Councilwoman Ethel Alexander listed Mayor Leeth’s accomplishments in office, including:
- Member and first black president of the Cullman County Mayors and Commissioners Association
- Vice president of the Black Mayors Association of Alabama, and member of the National Black Mayors’ Association
- President and vice president of Colony Senior Center
- Board member of the Town of Colony Historical Society
- Creating a partnership with the USDA and North Alabama Agriplex to bring fresh vegetables to the community
- Creating a partnership with Desperation Church that has brought monetary contributions and facility improvements to the town
- Helping create a summer feeding and enrichment program for community children
- Helping create the current town tutoring program that provides free educational support and tablets for five area students, so far
- Helping establish the Carpenter’s Cabinet food pantry, that has distributed more than 10 tons of food and fed more than 100 families
- Speaking at numerous community social and church functions
- Teaching about black history, Colony history and being mayor to students at Hanceville Elementary School
- Modeling at community fashion shows
- Sponsoring numerous free community meals
- Reducing a $97,000 debt left over from previous administrations to $20,000
- Reducing a court ordered judgment of $47,000 to $16,000. Presently, the Town is in good standing within its banking institutions.
- Bringing in a Dollar General, storm shelter and grants from Morehouse College for a community garden
Leeth came to the town government after retiring as a staff sergeant from the U.S. Army with 21 years of service.
Alexander said of him, “Mayor Donnis Leeth did not hesitate to work for his town. He is noted for mopping, cleaning and emptying the garbage of the auditorium and bathroom for many events. The Education Complex and Colony Center was not his primary duty, but he did not hesitate to make sure these buildings were always accessible and clean.”
Leeth told the council and audience that he plans to travel more and spend more time visiting his grandchildren. He encouraged the remaining council members, as well as the incoming members who attended Tuesday’s meeting, to work together, communicate with each other, reach out to those who can help the town and listen to members of the community.
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