Phil Campbell Mayor Mike McQuary has resigned effective immediately. Mayor Pro Tempore Phillip King will now serve as mayor pursuant to Alabama law:
The news of McQuary’s resignation came after he contacted members of the Phil Campbell City Council and City Clerk Virginia Burks Wednesday morning.
The council was scheduled to have its regular council meeting Tuesday evening, but McQuary, King and Councilman Barry King were absent. With only three council members present, a quorum was not established and the meeting was canceled.
A packed house of more than 40 citizens didn’t take that news well, with some questioning whether the absences were orchestrated, and at a minimum, why the public wasn’t notified in advance.
The crowd was there to see what action the council would take regarding buildings on Broad Street’s west side between Pike and McClung Avenues. Three businesses operate in three buildings, but there are safety concerns about the other buildings owned by the Cartee family.
Most of those abandoned buildings are missing roofs and there are issues regarding their structural integrity and the safety of people in the adjoining businesses. One business located in that block, Tribe Martial Arts, has temporarily moved locations to the Phil Campbell Community Center due to safety concerns about a wall the building shares with a vacant Cartee building.
Alabama law regarding resignations of most mayors is found in Alabama Code Section 11-44B-8. But for Class 8 municipalities, which include cities with populations of 5,999 or less, the council will designate an acting mayor, which will be King for the interim, and since the remaining term is less than one year, the council can choose to fill the vacancy through a regular election or appoint an acting mayor.
Council member Lynn Landers said she expects a special meeting to be called as soon as possible. At that time, the council can declare the mayor's seat vacant and fill it with an appointment, if a majority approve the appointee.
