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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

The Clanton City Council swore in its newest member to fill the District 2 seat at a special called meeting prior to its work session on April 4. Clanton resident Phillip Giles was sworn in with his family alongside to begin his service to the City of Clanton and its residents. Giles is the owner of Giles Cooling & Heating in Clanton and brings decades of business experience to lean on during his tenure.

“I just felt like it was something I could be helpful with having my business background,” Giles said. “My background is in a lot of things that should work well for me here on the city council with a lot of the infrastructure and the things they deal with. My industry is similar to a lot of things they do here, and not only that, but I wanted to help the mayor and the rest of the council keep Clanton moving in the right direction.”

In a 3-2 vote at the March 25 Clanton City Council meeting, Giles was approved to fill the vacant District 2 seat with councilmembers Awlahjaday Agee and Billy Singleton and Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims voting in favor of the appointment, and councilmembers Don Driver and Mary Mell Smith voting against it. Giles will serve on the council for the remaining term and then be up for reelection.

Giles does bring public service experience with him to the position as well, serving for a year and a half on the Clanton Planning & Zoning Board. He was also a voting member of the Public Building Authority, the body that is overseeing the construction of the new Chilton County Courthouse. Giles will have to step down from the Public Building Authority following his appointment to the Clanton City Council to avoid conflicts of interest.

In the end, Giles said he felt compelled to serve the Clanton residents because he has seen the strides the city has made in recent years, and he wants to have a say in continuing to guide the city down the path of growth.

“The mayor is a mover and shaker, and I am kind of the same way, so I want to help him move Clanton forward to where we need to be,” Giles said. “With the interstate, the continued growth and the population keeps growing, it needs to be handled the right way, and I think he is doing a great job. We want to keep the city moving in the right direction, and if I can help do that, I will be happy.”