Funding road improvements and a new high school will be the two major issues facing Helena in the next few years, according to an Alabama House of Representatives candidate.

Jim McClain, president of the Alabaster City Council and a Republican candidate for the District 49 Alabama House seat, spoke to the Helena City Council April 26.

During the meeting, McClain told the council the next person elected to District 49 must work to secure funding for road and education projects in Helena.

“One of the biggest issues facing Helena right now is traffic congestion,” McClain said. “There are ways on the state level we can work to make funding available for that.

“It’s going to take some nudging,” McClain added. “There is federal money coming down. You just have to know who to ask for it.”

McClain also said he would be in favor of a Helena High School, and said the city’s growth would support the new school.

“I would be in full support of a Helena High School,” McClain said. “I think Helena has the numbers and the growth rate to support a high school.

“We have got to push our Board of Education and help them to move forward with it,” McClain added. “We are all facing tough economic times, but there are ways to work with other agencies to make those funds available.”

Place 4 Councilman Jerry Pate agreed with McClain, saying Helena’s need for a High School is “desperate.”

“We are about the only city of significant size in Shelby County without a high school,” Pate said. “And we need one desperately.”

In other business, the council:

Approved a home occupation license for Gary Clark at 1206 Chateau Circle.

Approved a home occupation license for John Jackson at 1980 Riva Ridge Road.