Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

As LaFayette prepares for its upcoming elections, Councilman Toney Thomas is seeking reelection after serving the city for 18 years. A retired professional who worked at the Uniroyal tire plant in Opelika for 20 years, Thomas brings his industrial background to his role, alongside a deep commitment to improving the city and supporting its residents.

Thomas’s drive stems from the satisfaction of seeing positive change and a belief in continuity to ensure the city’s initiatives reach their full potential.

“I have always enjoyed helping people get things done to make our city better,” Thomas explained. “It’s not my first rodeo. I’ve been in it for a while now, and, you know, I just love to see our city move forward in the right direction.”

Thomas plans to secure more grant funding and attract businesses to LaFayette. By promoting local enterprises and fostering a welcoming environment for investors, his vision is to generate more revenue for the city and enhance its infrastructure.

More local businesses would generate tax revenue, enhancing the quality of life for current LaFayette residents. More companies would bring more jobs, thereby increasing the city’s population, welcoming new citizens to the growing town.

Housing remains one of Thomas’s top priorities. He aims to expand affordable housing options and ensure suitable living conditions across all income levels, recognizing that housing is essential for stability and growth.

Thomas expressed gratitude for his family’s support, though he acknowledged that his wife occasionally finds his role demanding. Working for the state of Alabama, his wife understands firsthand the trappings of public service and supports Thomas’s endeavors at every turn.

In his downtime he enjoys traveling to visit his three adult sons and grandchildren. He travels between Chicago, IL, and Tuscaloosa for his visits, with his third son, a truck driver, staying on the move and cherishing these moments as a way to stay grounded.

Thomas envisions a thriving LaFayette with expanded green spaces, sustainable development and equitable access to resources.

He is running unopposed in this election.