Story Archive

Dry Town, Hot Water

“Are you calling about a silver truck?” asked the 911 dispatcher. “Yes. He’s all over the road,” the caller said. Shortly thereafter, a trooper stopped Don Hall, 61, and arrested him on a DUI charge. Hall is the mayor of Hartselle, Ala., who has opposed legalizing alcohol sales in the dry town. “The fact that the man takes a drink isn’t anything other than what a lot of people that’s in this town are doing and won’t admit it,” said Frank Jones, a former councilman who supports legalization. “I think he recognized to get elected he was going to have to stand up against alcohol.” Jones said he approved of Hall’s performance in office. But Mayor Hall has stepped aside — and out of town — for a minimum of 14 days, says city attorney Larry Madison, and acting mayor Bill Smesler says Hall may resign. Meanwhile, Hall is still receiving his mayoral salary — and, every month, his $350 driving allowance. (AC/Decatur Daily) ...Maybe they should make that a taxi allowance.