By Briana Harris / Staff Writer

PELHAM – After 32 years as a Pelham City Councilwoman, Karyl Rice said she is still eager to serve her community.

“There are a lot of possibilities for this city and I want to see that through,” said Rice, the incumbent running for Place 5. “It’s an exciting time to be involved with city government.”

She said her knowledge of the city’s history is also a valuable asset for the council.

Rice, financial officer for Pelham-based Business Telephone Inc., said she would like to see some projects, such as the Greenway Trails and flood mitigation projects, through to completion.

The Greenway project is a six-and-half-mile trail system that will connect a sidewalk at Bearden Road to the entrance of Oak Mountain State Park. She said the city is working to secure grants for the project.

She said a flood mitigation project on Highway 261 will hopefully be completed within the next 12 months.

“Some of projects I can’t even talk about yet because they’re still in the early stages, but I want to make sure that nothing happens to derail those projects,” she said.

As a councilwoman, Rice said one of her interests has always been the planning and execution of development projects. For years she has served on the city’s planning commission.

She said her goal has always been to maintain a balance between residential and commercial development.

“That’s how you keep the community viable,” she said.

A common concern throughout Pelham has been that it is not experiencing growth quickly enough, but Rice said when growth takes place too rapidly it can get out of control.

She said that’s kind of what happened in Pelham with the city having an abundance of payday loan and vape shops.

“We needed to step back, take a look and see what kind of businesses would be best for our community,” she said.

Aside from development projects, Rice said she is dedicated to making sure the city’s first responders have the necessary equipment, training and support they need to do their jobs.

Although she does not have a direct impact on Pelham City Schools, she said she stands ready to help the school system advance.