By Briana Harris / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Mildred Lanier, Pelham Planning and Zoning Commission Chairwoman, said years of experience as a member of the commission has prepared her for a spot on the Pelham City Council.

Lanier, who is running for Place 5, said the Planning and Zoning Commission has given her first-hand knowledge and an understanding of city government.

She has been a member of the commission for six years, with the last four as chairwoman. She said volunteering her time on the Planning and Zoning Commission has also allowed her to form working relationships with the Shelby County Commission and city employees.

“The time is right for change in Pelham, and I am committed and eager to explore new ideas that support Pelham’s ongoing growth and current city projects,” she said.

Lanier said her visions for Pelham include continued economic development, innovative education initiatives and community support and wellness.

“Residential and commercial development is central to economic growth,” Lanier said.

In her role on the Planning and Zoning Commission, she presides over the review and recommendation of developments for new and ongoing residential and commercial projects.

Lanier said she has learned that it is vital to include business and landowners in discussions about future economic development in the city.  She said growth along the Shelby County 11 corridor on the eastern end of the city must continue to be discussed.

Another focus for Lanier is addressing flooding in the city, especially along Alabama 261 and parts of U.S. 31.

Lanier said she, along with commission members and city employees, reviewed and updated the sub-division regulations for Pelham that address residential development and include detention and retention ponds, which are designed to help address flooding.

She received a master’s in Public and Private Management from Birmingham-Southern College in 2005 and has been an educator for 20 years.

She has been an instructor at Jefferson State Community College for 12 years and said she has a lot of Pelham graduates in her classes.

“I can understand and relate to educators and their tasks to fulfill, and I am ready and committed to provide help and support to the Pelham City Schools,” she said.

Although she does not have children of her own, she said “every young person who takes my classes are like my own and I believe that is the heart of an educator.”

If elected, Lanier said she will not forget that being on the Pelham City Council is a call to serve others.

To learn more about Lanier, visit MildredLanier.com or her Facebook page www.facebook.com/MildredLanierPelhamCityCouncil/home.