Community Leader

BY LIESEL SCHMIDT

Elected in November of 2020, Mayor Sherry Sullivan came into office in one of the greatest times of turmoil in recent history. Uncertainty over COVID and the many ways it would affect the future were all weighing heavily on people—both on a national level as well as a local one. Still, Sullivan stepped into office, taking on the mantel of responsibility to the people of her community with grace and humility, knowing full well that she had a big job to do and a heavy burden to carry.

Having worked for the City of Fairhope for almost 17 years, Sullivan was hardly new to city politics, nor was she unfamiliar with the needs of Fairhope’s people. In her work, she was responsible for communications, events, the senior center, and the museum and took over the recreation department. She was also the project manager for the Fairhoper’s Community Park rebuild, Fairhope Soccer Complex and recently served as Director of Governmental Affairs and Economic Development for Riviera Utilities, trying to find ways to help government work for and with the people to help better their lives. “While working for the city, I also served on the leadership team during Hurricanes Ivan and Katrina,” Sullivan says. “I coordinated services for our residents and utility crews and helped to set up a medical unit in the Fairhope Rec Center gym during Katrina. I have also been involved with numerous community organizations. So many organizations contribute to the quality of life in Fairhope, and I am proud to have served with them.”

That civic pride was at the heart of her run for office—and the reason she won. “I have always loved Fairhope and want to make it better,” she says. “I believe that I was elected because people liked the fact that I have worked for Fairhope, so I know a lot about our community and how government operates.”

The last 18 months have been incredibly busy and, Sullivan admits, “a little overwhelming at times with the challenges of COVID, supply chain issues, staffing, etc. But I love serving and helping people, and being mayor allows me to do both.”

Challenges have indeed come—not only with those affecting the entire nation, but also with some closer to home. “Fairhope’s rapid growth is our greatest challenge right now,” Sullivan says. “Growth is inevitable, but protecting our quality of life in Fairhope is a top priority for me and the City Council. The city must look for innovative solutions and development regulations to keep up with the increasing rate of growth, pressures on our environment, and the need to protect our community for generations to come.”

Infrastructure, growth, stabilizing the work force and parks and recreation have all been part of Sullivan’s agenda and larger goal for her time in office, and she’s made inroads on some of them over the past year and a half. “Passing a budget on time, securing a GOMESA grant to help improve the Triangle Property, and opening a Symbol Health Clinic for the employees are all things that my administration has accomplished so far, but we’re far from done,” she says.

Last year, Sullivan held strong in the face of a hurricane that set its sights on the area—and in doing so, she helped the community weather the storm. “Just maintaining all the essential services while navigating hurricane recovery, at the same time as a pandemic and staffing issues, is a win in my book,” she notes.

Over the next two years, Sullivan will continue to lead Fairhope with the same gentle guidance, the same hope to bring it to its best self for future generations.

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