Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley residents will soon decide who leads their city for the next four years. On August 26, voters from every district will go to the polls to select officials who will make decisions about the city’s growth and development. All elections, including those for mayor and five city council seats, will take place at the Foley Civic Center, located at 407 E. Laurel Ave. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., making it easier for everyone to cast their votes.

Also see: Foley City Council Candidates to Meet Public at Civic Forum

This year’s election will be held on Tuesday, August 26. Voters who are not able to come to the polling place that day can request an absentee ballot from the Foley City Clerk’s Office. Residents must register to vote by August 11 if they want to take part in these important city decisions.

According to the Alabama Secretary of State Website: Absentee ballot applications delivered by mail must be received in the office of the Absentee Election Manager for your county no later than 7 days prior to the election. Applications returned by hand must be received in the office of the Absentee Election Manager for your county no later than 5 days prior to the election. An absentee ballot returned by mail must be received by the Absentee Election Manager no later than noon on election day. If hand-delivered, the ballot must be in the office of the Absentee Election Manager by the close of business (but no later than 5 p.m.) on the day prior to the election.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich is running without opposition in his re-election bid. Foley’s five city council seats, however, will be more competitive. Each position is tied to a city district, and citizens may only vote for the candidate in their own area.

In District 3, Roddy Burkle is the only candidate. He will take office after current councilman Richard Dayton withdrew due to health concerns. The other council races are contested. District 1 sees incumbent Wayne Trawick facing Barry Hughes. District 2 incumbent Vera Quaites is running against Timothy “Tim” Lower and Donald Barnett. District 4’s current representative, Rick Blackwell, is not seeking re-election. Larry Engel and Phillip Hinesley are the candidates hoping to replace him. In District 5, Charles Ebert III faces Derrick Perdue.

Foley’s elections come after a productive four years for the city. Since the last city election in 2020, more than $100 million in capital projects have been approved to support the city’s rapid growth. Improvements include the South Juniper Street Extension, as well as new extensions to North and South Pecan Streets and East Jessamine Avenue. Heritage Park has seen upgrades with new lighting and a new eastern gate.

The city council has also invested $1 million in sidewalk projects during each of the past two years. Other completed projects include work on Philomene Holmes Boulevard and Pilgrim Street. The Foley Beach Express has been widened and repaved for safety, and major intersections have been improved across the city.

Currently, Foley is building a new public library and community center, as well as a Public Works campus. The city council has also laid out Foley’s first Strategic Plan, designed to guide development for the next five years. The officials elected on August 26 will have a key role in shaping Foley’s future as it continues to grow.