Mayor Patrick McClusky in the center with the sunglasses at the 2023 groundbreaking of the Shades Creek Greenway extension. (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky is retiring after 16 years in public office. City Council President Alex Wyatt will become the city’s new mayor on November 1.

McClusky announced his retirement during the August 26 City Council meeting.

16 years of public service

A city councilor before he became mayor in 2000, McClusky made the following heartfelt comments about the Homewood community and public service.

“Homewood is an incredibly special place full of wonderful people — businesses that are second to none and an unmatched community feel. I have met so many incredible people over the years, and I can’t thank each and every one of them enough for their support during my tenure here.

Being an elected official is not an easy job. It requires patience, a willingness to continue to do good in the face of failure and a resilience to negativity. We do this because we care about our community. Because we care about our schools and our children. Because we care about the future of this city —which will be here long after we are gone.

In two short years, this incredible place will turn 100 years old and while there are a of changes that have happened. I can tell you, in some ways, it’s still the small town that I remember from the 1980s.”

Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky

The legislature added one year to term

McClusky and the City Council would have normally ended their terms this fall but a new law by the Alabama Legislature added one year to their terms so municipal elections around the state would not clash with the presidential election this November.

During McClusky’s four years in office, Homewood has seen many park and recreation and transportation projects come to fruition. He also shepherded a citizen-driven process that will change the city’s form of government and create a City Manager position.

Homewood citizens are voting on the initiative on September 24.

Are you a Homewood resident? Tell us what you think of the new initiatives and potential changes happening at city hall. Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!