News
In the News: Grissom believes teamwork is vital to Russellville’s future
Posted on August 23, 2012
Originally published in the Franklin Free Press on August 21, 2012.
I was asked to write an article stating why I believe you should elect me as the next mayor of Russellville.
The best way I can answer that is to explain the different points of my vision for a better Russellville.
A theme of my campaign has been teamwork. I believe teamwork is more important for our city now than ever before. First of all, the mayor and council members must work together as a TEAM for the benefit of the people and for our city.
This spirit of teamwork must be incorporated in every department and by every employee of the city. From the mayor to the council members, to the department heads and to the part-time employees, we must all keep in mind that we work for the people of the great community of Russellville.
Secondly, I will bring an emphasis on bringing good-paying jobs to Russellville. I plan to work with our existing businesses to make sure their needs are met and to continue to create jobs from these employers who have already made a commitment to Russellville.
I will work every day with our Industrial Development boards in efforts to recruit new jobs to our city. It is my desire for my daughter, Kate, a second-grader at West Elementary School, to be able to find a great job opportunity in Russellville when she finishes her education.
And my goal is for you to see those same opportunities for your family.
Speaking of education, that is my third area of focus.
We must continue to provide for our school children—they are our future.
We have a great school system, and I plan on working with superintendent Rex Mayfield, my Ag Instructor from 1987 to 1990, in any way possible to keep our system strong for our kids.
Our family has a large investment in our school system. In addition to having a child in Russellville City Schools, my wife Melissa is the art instructor at Russellville High School. I will always remain committed to Russellville City Schools, from kindergarten through Russellville High School, where I graduated in 1990.
Another point of emphasis of my term as mayor will be a constant effort to maintain and improve our basic city services that we all depend on each day.
I will work with our department heads and city employees to improve our police department, fire department, parks and recreation department and street department, each of which provide vital services to our community.
Finally, I would like to share some information about myself and my family. I was born August 20, 1972, to Judy Keeton Grissom and the late Robert Reed (Bob) Grissom.
My parents owned and operated Grissom Car Wash in downtown Russellville beginning in 1969. They started Diamond House Jewelry in 1977, and they opened and operated several 14K Gold Wholesalers stores throughout northwest Alabama.
My grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. E.E. Keeton, who owned and operated Keeton’s Store next to Southside Baptist Church.
My other grandparents were Lonnie and Kate Grissom. My grandfather was the second-oldest of 14 children, and he worked as a farmer. Other members of the family ran businesses, including Frosty Inn, Grissom Cleaners, Village Furniture Mart, Grissom Motor Company, Russellville Florist, Grissom Properties and Phillips 66 Oil Company.
Our family has been “all in” to this community for decades. My promise is to continue that long-standing commitment as your mayor.
Make Grissom a winner on Tuesday, August 28, and I’ll work to make you a winner the next four years. Together, we can make Russellville a better place to live, work and raise our families.
Thank you.