Sun Neighborly news & entertainment for Hoover
Volume 5 | Issue 2 | November 2016
Executive director retiring after 29 years
Hoover Executive Director Allen Pate oversaw construction of Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in 1988 and has been instrumental in keeping the stadium updated over the years. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
By JON ANDERSON When Allen Pate first came to work for the city of Hoover in February 1988, it was supposed to be a oneyear job of overseeing construction of Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. But former Hoover Mayor Frank Skinner saw Pate had more to offer the city. He put him in charge of other projects, such as the construction of Hoover Fire Station No. 4 off Municipal Drive. By the time the Hoover Met was
completed, Skinner asked Pate to stay on as director of operations. Pate ended up staying with the city for nearly 29 years, serving most of that time as the city’s executive director — a position similar to city manager. He announced in mid-September he is retiring. He left the office in late October and is officially retiring at the
See PATE | page A30
READY to RUN By SYDNEY CROMWELL
E
mily Knerr has blown the air horn to start the Head Over Teal race, benefiting ovarian cancer awareness, for the past seven years. When the 13-year-old Ross Bridge resident started the race in September 2015, she had no idea she was less than two months away from her second fight with ovarian cancer. The Knerr family, including parents Ryan and Amanda and Emily’s sisters Anna and Casey, moved to Ross Bridge from Miami in 2009. When then-6-year-old Emily started to have body pains and weight loss, the family attributed it first to anxiety about the move,
See KNERR | page A29
Pre-Sort Standard U.S. Postage PAID Tupelo, MS Permit #54
Emily Knerr sounds the air horn to start the 2016 Head Over Teal race in September. Emily, a Ross Bridge resident, is an ovarian cancer survivor. Photo by Sarah Finnegan.
INSIDE
Sponsors .............. A4 City ........................ A6
Chamber............... A11 Business .............. A12
Events .................A20 Community .......... B8
School House ..... B12 Sports .................. B18
Real Estate......... B25 Calendar ............. B26 facebook.com/thehooversun
Ivey Reflects
Glass Master
As Mayor Gary Ivey prepares to pass the torch, he reflects on his term and what was accomplished.
Artist Sherri Van Pelt brings happiness to herself and others through her colorful glass artwork.
See page A17
See page B1