Sam Reed serves on the City Council in his hometown, but he has not always called Jemison home.

Reed lived in Detroit, Mich. for seven years, where he worked for an export/import agency that handled national and domestic shipping. On the administrative side, Reed handled paperwork for large companies like General Motors.

While in Detroit, he also worked with youth through the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.

“I like being around young people,” he said. “I try to be [a positive influence].”

Reed moved to California and worked for a similar company there but became ill and moved back to Alabama in February 1980.

While arthritis prevents him from doing some things he would like to do, he still serves his community. Reed is currently going on his third consecutive term with the city council.

He and his wife, Julia, have a daughter and two grandchildren.

“I think overall, this is where God meant for us to be,” Reed said.

Reed, a 1968 graduate of Chilton County Training School, attended Lewis Business College and Wayne State University in Detroit, and Wallace Community College here.

To Reed, the council’s number one issue is drawing more business and industry to create more jobs in Jemison.

“We’re trying very hard to get that to happen,” he said.