Russellville Mayor Troy Oliver announced this week that he is seeking a second term in office.

“Four years ago, when I set my sights on becoming mayor, I saw needs within this community and was determined to make a difference,” Oliver said.

“I embarked on this journey with more than just an idea and already had plans in place to make my vision of a better Russellville a reality.”

Oliver said unemployment has dropped from 12 to seven percent and the city school system has been funded more than it has ever been during his first term in office. He also said the city has received millions of dollars in government grants.

“I have made internal changes to bring financial stability to the city of Russellville by presenting the council with a complete budget before the beginning of each year,” Oliver said.

“This past year, the council was presented with the largest city budget in the history of Russellville. The city is currently in better financial condition than it has ever been. In the past four years, we have reduced the debt by more than $3 million for the city and the school system and currently have more than $3 million in cash for the city.”

Various projects that were started before Oliver’s term have now been funded and completed in the last three and a half years. The new city hall, Fire Station 1, reparation of the dam at Sloss Lake and the renovation of the canteen have all been completed during his term, he said.

Additionally, funding was secured for the entire streetscape improvement in the downtown area, along with the city also receiving funding from the Alabama Department of Transportation to add turn lanes.

“Being mayor isn’t about obtaining a title or gaining recognition in the community. It isn’t about money either,” Oliver said.

“It sounds like a great idea to be mayor, but actually putting thoughts into action is something that takes planning, hard work and proven leadership.

“For me, being mayor is about seeing a city I’ve called home for 45 years fall short, and making sacrifices to help this city reach its fullest potential. I am mayor because I care about this city and its people.”

Still, there is more to accomplish, Oliver said.

“There are improvements still to be made concerning housing, downtown projects, economic development, business-friendly safety improvements, educational improvements, workforce development for our youth through career tech education and so much more,” he said.

“I want to continue to promote better opportunities for the citizens of Russellville.”

Oliver has a BS degree from Florence State College in accounting, economics and military science. He worked four years for Glen H. Strickland, CPA, auditing businesses, municipalities and banks. He worked 30 years as an accountant, treasurer, chief financial officer and president of a manufactured housing business. Throughout his professional career, he secured more than $125 million in loans for businesses and industries through banks and governments.

He spent 34 years in the military, achieving rank of general with more than 4,000 soldiers under his command. He commanded the largest Signal Brigade in the U.S. Army, providing communication to more than 125,000 soldiers. He also supervised more than 300 full time employees in the National Guard including all civil service employees.

For the past 24 years, Oliver has owned and operated a cattle farm. He is a member of the Franklin County Cattlemen’s Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and DAV. He is also a 44-year member of First Baptist Church.

Oliver is married to Brenda Thornton Oliver, who taught in the Russellville city schools system as a first grade teacher for 41 years. Together they have three children, Jon Oliver, who owns and operates a business, operates the family farm, has two children and is married to Jamie Mitchell Oliver; Sharon Oliver, who is a homemaker and has three children; and Laura Beth Oliver, a University of Alabama graduate who owns and operates her own business in Tuscaloosa. They have five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.