Pastor issues four-pronged challenge to incoming City of Russellville Mayor and Council at Sunday afternoon swearing-in ceremony

It wasn’t  a Sunday morning sermon at his Mountain View Baptist Church, but Bro. Sammy Taylor shared an important message with incoming Russellville Mayor David Grissom and the five members of the Russellville City Council at Sunday’s swearing-in ceremony at Russellville City Hall.

“Today, as you prepare to take your oaths of office I issue you the challenge of four fundamental principles to guide you in the next four years,” Taylor said.

“Number one—serve with humility and integrity. The trust the community has placed in you is not a reward. It’s a responsibility…Second, remember the larger community. The diverse voices, aspirations and interests of each member of the community matter…Number three—embrace courage…The challenges we face will not be solved alone. Be courageous when difficult choices must be made. Fourth—accountability and results matter. Words are not enough. Your oath is a promise to act and deliver…When you make mistakes, be accountable. And when you make the right choices, always  strive for continued improvement,” Taylor added.

Taylor’s challenge to Mayor David Grissom, and Councilmen David Palmer, Darren Woodruff, Gary Cummings, Lonnie Freeman and Jamie Harris followed some opening words of reflection from Russellville attorney Danny McDowell, who has served as Russellville City Attorney since 2008.

McDowell spoke about the city’s veteran leadership. Grissom and Cummings were first elected in 2008, Grissom as District Five Councilman and Cummings representing District Three.

Four years later, Grissom was elected Mayor, Cummings was reelected, Harris was elected to represent District Five and David Palmer to represent District One.

Woodruff was first elected in 2020 to represent District Two, and Freeman won the District Four seat in August. And Grissom, Palmer, Cummings and Harris were reelected in 2016, 2020 and 2025.

“You don’t have to look around too much to see what this council and mayor have done over their time in office,” McDowell said. “They have spent millions for new fire trucks, police vehicles, equipping the Street Department and they’ve spent more on paving our streets than any other council.

“In 2008 they inherited a financial condition so bad they had to borrow $500,000 just to pay the bills. The state (auditors) after their most recent audit said the City of Russellville has one of the strongest financial positions of any city in Alabama. That’s good government, good management of city resources and good stewardship of the city’s dollars,” he added.

Grissom and each of the five councilmen were administered their oaths of office by Ret. Franklin County District Judge Paula McDowell.

Russellville Police Department Chaplain Bobby Brown concluded Sunday’s ceremony with a closing prayer.