Sonny Penhale: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Sonny Penhale.jpg|right|thumb|Sonny Penhale]] | [[Image:Sonny Penhale.jpg|right|thumb|Sonny Penhale]] | ||
'''Charles W. "Sonny" Penhale''' (born [[March 7]], [[1931]]) | '''Charles W. "Sonny" Penhale''' (born [[March 7]], [[1931]]; died [[January 20]], [[2021]]) was the [[Mayor of Helena|Mayor]] of [[Helena]] from [[1968]] to [[2012]]. | ||
Penhale | Penhale was the son of John William and Mary Lou Penhale, and the grandson of [[Charles Hinds]], the first Mayor elected after the city was reincorporated in [[1917]]. He attended [[Helena School]] and [[Thompson High School]], then enlisted in the U. S. Army for service during the [[Korean War]]. He was stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland and Camp Picket, Virginia. Afterward he took a job at [[American Cast Iron Pipe Co.]] in [[Birmingham]]. | ||
Penhale served on the [[Helena City Council]] in [[1960]] and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in [[1964]]. He was elected in 1968 and | Penhale served on the [[Helena City Council]] in [[1960]] and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in [[1964]]. He was elected in 1968 and served 11 terms. Among his accomplishments as mayor are overseeing the development of a municipal sewer system, the dedication of public parks, and the construction of the current [[Helena Municipal Building]] on [[Shelby County Highway 52]]. Later he focused on promoting [[Old Town Helena]] and other public improvements. | ||
Helena's sports complex | Penhale was defeated by former [[Helena Police Department|police chief]] [[Mark Hall]] in a runoff in the [[2012 Shelby County municipal elections|2012 mayoral election]]. More voters turned out in the runoff than in the general election, strongly voicing support for a change in leadership. | ||
Helena's sports complex was named [[Sonny Penhale Park]] in his honor. | |||
{{Start box}} | |||
{{Succession box | title=[[Mayor of Helena]] | years=[[1968]]–[[2012]] | before=? | after=[[Mark Hall]] }} | |||
{{End box}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* "[http://helena-alabama.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-monday-to-you.html Happy Birthday Mr. Mayor]" (March 7, 2011) ''No Sleep in Helena'' | * "[http://helena-alabama.blogspot.com/2011/03/happy-monday-to-you.html Happy Birthday Mr. Mayor]" (March 7, 2011) ''No Sleep in Helena'' | ||
* Reed, Martin J. (October 10, 2012) "Helena changes city leadership for the first time in 44 years; Charles 'Sonny' Penhale out as mayor." {{BN}} | |||
* Koplowitz, Howard (January 21, 2021) "Charles ‘Sonny’ Penhale, longest serving mayor of Helena, dead at 89." {{BN}} | |||
* | |||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Penhale, Sonny}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Penhale, Sonny}} | ||
[[Category:1931 births]] | [[Category:1931 births]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:2021 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Thompson graduates]] | [[Category:Thompson graduates]] | ||
[[Category:US Army personnel]] | [[Category:US Army personnel]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:48, 21 January 2021
Charles W. "Sonny" Penhale (born March 7, 1931; died January 20, 2021) was the Mayor of Helena from 1968 to 2012.
Penhale was the son of John William and Mary Lou Penhale, and the grandson of Charles Hinds, the first Mayor elected after the city was reincorporated in 1917. He attended Helena School and Thompson High School, then enlisted in the U. S. Army for service during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Mead, Maryland and Camp Picket, Virginia. Afterward he took a job at American Cast Iron Pipe Co. in Birmingham.
Penhale served on the Helena City Council in 1960 and ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 1964. He was elected in 1968 and served 11 terms. Among his accomplishments as mayor are overseeing the development of a municipal sewer system, the dedication of public parks, and the construction of the current Helena Municipal Building on Shelby County Highway 52. Later he focused on promoting Old Town Helena and other public improvements.
Penhale was defeated by former police chief Mark Hall in a runoff in the 2012 mayoral election. More voters turned out in the runoff than in the general election, strongly voicing support for a change in leadership.
Helena's sports complex was named Sonny Penhale Park in his honor.
| Preceded by: ? |
Mayor of Helena 1968–2012 |
Succeeded by: Mark Hall |
References
- "Happy Birthday Mr. Mayor" (March 7, 2011) No Sleep in Helena
- Reed, Martin J. (October 10, 2012) "Helena changes city leadership for the first time in 44 years; Charles 'Sonny' Penhale out as mayor." The Birmingham News
- Koplowitz, Howard (January 21, 2021) "Charles ‘Sonny’ Penhale, longest serving mayor of Helena, dead at 89." The Birmingham News