HOLLY POND — New Holly Pond Mayor Bill Oliver understands the job he’s been given. As leader of one of Cullman County’s oldest — and smallest — towns, Oliver believes in continuity; in keeping what works, and in learning through experience. 

As a newly-sworn official, Oliver will take up his new four-year term joined by two new council members. The mayor says the new group has some ideas about how to help Holly Pond — but he believes in walking before flying.


“Of the six of us; the mayor and five council members, there are three who are new. So those of us who are new are definitely going to have to lean on the ones who have been here for a little guidance,” he said. “At first, we’ve just got to prioritize what we have, and to get a good grasp of our finances.”

Over time, said Oliver, he hopes to help improve Holly Pond’s light infrastructure: reviving some of the town’s aging fixtures and landmarks, appealing to small businesses, and securing long-awaited community storm shelters.


“We are hoping to improve the look of our town by taking what we have and improving it,” he said.


“We want Holly Pond to be clean,” he said. “I think we need to beautify our streets, and there are places where lighting is an issue. A lot of our street signs are in disrepair, and we want to get those back up. We have some really nice parks, too, but they could use some maintenance and improvement so that they can be used more than they’re being used now.


“We’d love to get some businesses out in our area so that people do not have to drive so far to get things to eat, and for other basic shopping needs. We have a grocery store and pharmacy, but we do need a place for a family to sit down have a meal together. I’d like for us to be a place where people want to move in.

“And, we’re in the process of getting storm shelters here, which is a very much needed thing in our area,” he added. “A lot of areas have storm shelters now, and that is something that is still out there for us. We’re working really hard on that.”


Oliver said he and the town council don’t expect to achieve their goals without the support of Holly Pond’s 800 or so residents. But, he said, his constituents value their community, and have demonstrated through generations their commitment to making their town a nicer place.


“We do have a lot of good people here, and good people on the council who seem to be devoted to making their town, and their community, better, and providing for it,” he said. “We’re not big and we’re not rich — but we can provide what we are able.”


As a newcomer to public service, Oliver said he’s certain he’ll slip up. “I’ve told everybody that I’ll have more than one opportunity to make a fool of myself,” he joked. 


“But, if I do, I’m going to do it in broad, open daylight for all the world to see. I think everybody realizes that we are learning, and that we’re going to make mistakes and do some things wrong. But we are not going to make a mistake that we cannot rectify.”