Sand Mountain Reporter

A group of Albertville’s Hispanic residents wants the city to require all business signs be in English and Spanish.

Their proposed ordinance answers Mayor Lindsey Lyons’ plans to require Spanish-language signs have an English translation.

“We think it’s a chance for Albertville to become a city of the future,” said Anita Stancil, a member of La Voz de la Comunidad, or the Voice of the Community.

The mayor said he was not in favor of the idea.

Lyons drafted a nine-month plan of things he wants the city to accomplish through the end of his first full year in office. Among the items is an ordinance that includes the appearance of signs.

The mayor wants “sign professionalism” that prohibits hand-made or homemade signage and suggested a three-person committee that would have to approve new signs.

He also cited “public safety” issues in saying the city should require English to be part of signs.

Aylene Sepulveda, a member of La Voz and an outspoken presence at City Council meetings and in a series of cultural blending meetings, said in a statement released by her group that its proposal “is our way of showing the mayor and council that the Hispanic community of Albertville supports improving the looks of business signs.”

She said the group agrees with Lyons’ proposals on regulating the size and appearance of signs.

“We want to see the same improvements the mayor has outlined, but we want to see them happen in an equal way,” Stancil said. “The Spanish-speaking businesses can change signs and so can the English-speaking businesses so that everybody understands and so everybody can come together as one Albertville.

“We want to meet halfway.”

Lyons, however, said he was “disappointed” by the proposal.

“In 1990, Alabama passed Amendment 509 declaring English as the official language of the state,” he said. “I totally support this amendment.”

The amendment says legislators and state officials “shall take all steps necessary” to ensure the role of English as Alabama’s common language.

Lyons noted that Amendment 509 prohibits the Legislature from passing a law “which diminishes or ignores the role of English” as Alabama’s common language.

“Even foreign nationals that are applying for citizenship are required to know basic English,” Lyons said.

He disagreed with Sepulveda’s statement that the La Voz proposal would unite Albertville.

“The approach that Aylene’s proposing is not pulling the community together,” Lyons said. “In fact, it’s totally divisive.”

The mayor said he would propose to the City Council in its May 11 work session an ordinance making English the city’s official language.

La Voz proposes a grace period for businesses to change their signs and creates a sales tax credit to reimburse businesses for some of the money they would have to spend to comply with the new law.

“We hope the sign proposals can take care not to hurt any businesses surviving in this bad economy,” La Voz member Fernando Rodriguez said.

La Voz members hope the council will take up its ordinance at Monday’s 6:30 p.m. meeting.

Lyons said he spoke with three council members Friday morning at a ribbon cutting ceremony for a business that renovated its downtown store.

“I felt no support whatsoever from them toward Aylene’s proposal,” he said. “None at all.”

Nor did the mayor like the text of a proposed ordinance when Sepulveda brought it to City Hall this week.

“She said, ‘Mayor, this is a great thing. We’re reaching out.’ When I checked the language in it later, it blew me away, honestly.”

The mayor said Sepulveda will have a chance to address council members at the conclusion of Monday’s meeting.

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

Tel: 256-840-3000 | Email

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