By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO–The city of Montevallo will see four more years of leadership under the direction of incumbent Mayor Hollie Cost after she defeated Earl Cunningham in the Montevallo municipal election on Aug. 23.

Cost will serve her second term as mayor after defeating Cunningham by a vote count of 492-321.

Cost is excited to serve the city for a second term as mayor and fourth consecutive term that includes previous time served as a Montevallo Council member.

“We just recently received a Main Street designation and have more businesses on Main Street,” said Cost. “I just want to continue the growth and continue to have our inclusive, very positive environment we have here in Montevallo. I was incredibly excited to have support in the community and it speaks volumes that they would be so supportive of progress.”

Cost believes the city is in a good spot and evidence of growth will continue to show as a Main Street renovation project is scheduled to take place in the future.

As for her opponent in the mayoral election, Cost said she was disappointed in how Cunningham ran his campaign.

“I have great respect for Dr. Cunningham for his service but I was disappointed in the campaign that he ran,” said Cost. “I was disappointed in the way he and those in his campaign with how they handled themselves and were negative. That’s not normally how we handle things in Montevallo.”