Loretta Spencer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretta Spencer
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| 66th Mayor of Huntsville | |
| In office October 4, 1996 – November 3, 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Hettinger |
| Succeeded by | Tommy Battle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 20, 1937 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
Loretta Purdy Spencer was an important American politician. She served as the 66th mayor of Huntsville, Alabama. Her time as mayor started on October 4, 1996, and ended on November 3, 2008.
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About Loretta Spencer
Loretta Spencer was born on June 20, 1937. She moved to Huntsville when she was seven years old. She went to Huntsville High School. Later, she earned a science degree from the University of Alabama.
First Woman Mayor
Loretta Spencer made history in Huntsville. She was the first woman to become mayor of the city. She was also the first woman mayor in any of Alabama's four biggest cities. These cities include Birmingham, Mobile, and Montgomery. Before becoming mayor, she was a teacher in the Huntsville City School System. She also co-owned a local funeral home.
Her Time as Mayor
Loretta Spencer first ran for mayor in 1996. The mayor at the time, Steve Hettinger, decided not to run again. He supported Spencer in her campaign. She faced many opponents but won the election.
First Term Successes
During her first term, Spencer helped Huntsville's economy grow. People praised her for bringing new businesses and jobs to the city. The Huntsville Times newspaper said she brought back the city's hopeful spirit. She was re-elected for her second term without needing a second vote. She won with 58% of all votes.
Winning a Third Term
In 2004, Spencer won her third term as mayor. During this election, some people criticized her. They were concerned about the condition of Huntsville schools. There were also claims that she favored richer areas of the city. Despite these challenges, she won the election. She received 55% of the votes in the final round.
Awards and Challenges
In January 2007, Spencer received an award. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce gave her the Distinguished Service Award. Later that year, she faced a challenge. A fire chief she had chosen resigned from his job. This led to some public discussion.
Key Achievements as Mayor
Spencer is proud of many things she helped achieve for Huntsville. She helped bring a Target Distribution Center to the city. She also played a role in building Toyota's V-8 engine plant in Huntsville. During her time, two new schools opened. One high school was rebuilt, and more were planned.
Spencer also worked on a plan for tax incentive districts. She said this plan provided $75 million for improvements to Huntsville City Schools. She believes in people volunteering to help their community. She herself volunteered for groups like the United Way and the Boys & Girls Club.
Homeless Shelter Controversy
In early 2008, Spencer faced another public discussion. Questions were raised about moving a homeless shelter. The shelter was moved from downtown to a new area. Residents near the new location were upset. They felt they were not told about the move beforehand. People who help the homeless also worried. They thought the new location was too far from other services.
Leaving Office
In 2008, Loretta Spencer decided to run for a fourth term. Former Huntsville city councilman Tommy Battle challenged her. In the first election on August 26, 2008, Spencer received the most votes. However, she did not get more than half of all votes. This meant she had to go into a runoff election with Tommy Battle.
The Runoff Election
The runoff election happened on October 7, 2008. Tommy Battle won this election. He received 56% of the votes, while Spencer received 44%. In her speech after the election, Spencer thanked the people of Huntsville. She said they had set high goals and worked with her to achieve them.
