HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The wait is almost over for the city of Huntsville to get into its new City Hall. But, before the big day kicks off, FOX54 took a stroll down memory lane with one Huntsville City Councilmember who's been on the council since 1988.
Councilmember Bill Kling explained that as one can imagine, he has seen quite a few changes in city government over the years. "Well, I like this office. It's been very good to function in. As things have changed over the years. Technology. I'm at the office much less than when I originally got on the city council. Now, because I have a cell phone with me, I can be reached by phone, email or text messaging, and I'm able to go out in the neighborhoods, which I like to do, see streets that need to be resurfaced, talk to people about their problems or their positions on a current city issue. And I think my time is much better spent where I can go out to the public instead of having to sit behind a desk like you sort of had to do in the early days and wait for the phone to ring."
Just across the street, we visited what is now councilmember Kling's new office at the new city hall. He shared another special memory from his time in office. "During the years that I've been a district council member, we've had more diversity on our council. We had three women over the years and we've had four African-Americans. So hopefully this has been able to make the city council more responsive to the community."
There will be a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration for the new Huntsville City Hall Tuesday.