Last week was one new Phil Campbell Mayor Eddie Marbutt won't soon forget, and not because 'Tax Day' came and went on April 15th.
The politically turbulent week began with the Phil Campbell City Council's regular meeting on April 15th being canceled with more than 40 citizens in attendance due to the absence of Mayor Mike McQuary and council members Phillip King and Barry King and the inability to establish a quorum.
Marbutt, along with council members Lynn Landers and Rodney Kuykendall, stayed for nearly one hour listening to frustrated citizens who came to see the council address the continuing issue of dealing with a block of seven dilapidated buildings on Broad Street between Pike and McClung Avenues.
Although it wasn't an official meeting, the three council members answered questions and provided as much information as they could to those in attendance.
News came Wednesday morning that McQuary had resigned, effective immediately, from his Mayor's position. That meant that Mayor Pro Tempore, council member Phillip King, became acting mayor until the council took action to appoint McQuary's successor.
The wait wasn't long. A special meeting was called for Thursday, April 17th, and by a unanimous vote of 5-0, Marbutt became Mayor. He will serve through the current term that ends later this year.
Municipal elections are set for Tuesday, August 26, 2025. The new mayor and council will take office the first Monday in November following the election.
Marbutt had previously announced his plans to run for Phil Campbell Mayor, so being voted in by the council to complete the mayor's term was obviously some political good fortune that will allow Marbutt to run as the incumbent.
But Marbutt said his time as mayor, regardless of its length, will be about dealing with pressing issues the town faces in a timely manner, something several residents who spoke at the April 15th gathering don't believe is taking place in Phil Campbell government.
With three businesses operating in the downtown block, the seven abandoned, run-down buildings create not only an eyesore along the city's most traveled route, they also pose safety issues for those business owners.
David Silva, who operates Tribe Martial Arts Academy on Broad Street, was recently forced to relocate his business after bricks started falling off the wall his business shares with one of the dilapidated buildings owned by the Cartee family.
Silva was one of many in attendance who shared his frustration about what he describes as the city's inaction.
“The town is at a pivotal point where if things are not done to encourage business, then it will face a budget deficit,” Silva said. “A community having the heart to do the right thing is a minimal requirement for the success of a functioning society.”
After being named Mayor Thursday evening, Marbutt made clear his intentions about dealing with the long-standing issue of the dilapidated buildings.
“It will be addressed as an immediate problem, not a long-term problem,” Marbutt said. “We've got to push to get whatever has to be done to get those buildings in our possession, or have the owners take care of the issue, which hasn't happened so far.”
Phil Campbell Municipal Court was scheduled for Monday, April 21st, and a complaint filed against the abandoned building owners was to once again be on the docket. The city filed the nuisance abatement more than a year ago, but Cartee's attorney has received numerous continuances each time the case comes up for court. And Phil Campbell only has municipal court once every other month.
Marbutt said he spoke with City Prosecutor James Atkinson, who also serves as City Attorney, about moving the case to trial, where an order of condemnation could be granted by the Court.
“We talked today with the city prosecutor and advised him he needs to push this and he said it's going to be pushed. (Cartee) has asked for another continuance but, as far as I know, that hasn't been granted,” Marbutt said Thursday.
But on Monday, April 21st, Al Cartee's attorney appeared in court, but Cartee was not present and his attorney told the Court Cartee is hospitalized in Nashville and could not attend.
The case was again continued, but Marbutt said some 'positive discussions' took place with Cartee's attorney, the city prosecutor and himself.
“We are looking into some options, but it's nothing I can say too much about at this point, but it was beneficial,” Marbutt said.
Although King had not publicly committed to run for Mayor, he has made known that he is considering giving up his council seat to do so.
But King and Marbutt met Thursday and reinforced their joint commitment to address some 'big issues in Phil Campbell,' according to Marbutt.
“We're both willing to work together. (Whether King runs for Mayor or not), it's not going to be a personal fight. We'll work together and get done what we need to get done for this town,” Marbutt said.
While King is considering his political options, Marbutt made clear his intentions when asked by the FFP if he will run for Mayor in August.
“Absolutely,” Marbutt responded.
