Sen. Williams addresses Attalla City Council

Sen. Phil Williams

Sen. Phil Williams, R-Rainbow City, told Attalla City Council members Monday that if they want the mayor’s job to be full time, he will help pass legislation to make it happen.

A bill to make the position full time died in the Senate after passing the House during the regular legislative session that ended June 4.

The City Council in February passed a resolution asking Etowah County’s legislative delegation to make the change. Mayor Larry Means said all members of the delegation were sent letters about the council’s unanimous request for the bill, and the agreement by Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, to sponsor it.  Williams defeated Means in 2010 to win the District 10 seat, and again in 2014 to win a second term.  Means previously said he believed Williams blocked the bill in the Senate as retaliation against him. Ford has said he blames Williams for not passing the legislation in the Senate.  However, Williams said he had not been tracking the bill and was not aware of a sense of urgency. He said Means mentioned the bill to him in passing at another meeting, but at that time it had not passed the House.  On Monday, Williams gave a copy of all his contact information to council members and told them to call him anytime.  Williams said he often takes calls from elected officials in the four counties he serves, especially when they are attempting to move forward with legislation.