For Pike Road's Future we must Re-Elect Gordon Stone as Mayor on August 26

Guest Opinion by Perry Hooper, Jr.

As a longtime resident of Pike Road and friend of Gordon Stone, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable transformation of our community under his leadership. With the August 26 election approaching, Pike Road faces a defining choice: steady leadership that honors its heritage while building for tomorrow.Gordon Stone embodies that leadership.

Raised on his family's cattle farm in Wilcox County, Gordon Stone learned the fundamental values that guide his leadership today: hard work, integrity, and genuine service to neighbors. These weren't mere life lessons, they were daily realities that shaped his character. After earning degrees in agricultural economics from Auburn University and an MBA from Auburn Montgomery, he chose to make Pike Road his home and dedicate himself to serving this community.

Gordon's life remains anchored by faith and family. He and his wife Ellen are active members of First Baptist Church in Montgomery, where they organize mission experiences and demonstrate their commitment to service beyond Pike Road's borders. This foundation of faith, family resilience, and community service isn't just personal background, it's the bedrock of Gordon's approach to leadership, apparent in every decision he makes as mayor.

Having known Gordon personally for years and watched Pike Road evolve under his guidance, I can attest to both his unwavering character and his ability to deliver on promises. The transformation from a small rural community to a thriving municipality hasn't happened by accident—it's been the result of Gordon's careful planning, community engagement, and steadfast commitment to preserving what makes Pike Road special while embracing thoughtful growth. When Gordon assumed office in 2004, Pike Road was a small town of fewer than 400 residents covering 2.5 miles. Today, under his stewardship, it has flourished into a thriving community of over 11,000 citizens spanning approximately 16 square miles, all while preserving the small-town charm that makes it special.

Perhaps Mayor Stone's most remarkable achievement has been creating Pike Road's municipal school system from scratch. In 2015, the district opened its first K-8 campus. By 2018, Pike Road High School welcomed its first students, and in 2020, the community celebrated its inaugural graduating class. Today, the district offers a complete K-12 education with consistently high state ratings, a testament to Gordon's long-term vision and community investment.

Pike Road's High School’s athletic program has become a source of immense community pride. The Patriots football team, launched in 2016, achieved the extraordinary: an undefeated season culminating in a Class 5A state championship in 2021. The school now fields competitive teams year-round across multiple sports—football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, track & field, tennis, wrestling, and more, instilling teamwork, discipline, and pride in students throughout the district.

Mayor Stone's ONWARD Pike Road initiative, launched in 2024, demonstrates his commitment to strategic growth with over 20 transformative projects:

• Economic Development Park: Pike Road's first such facility, already annexed and securing its first tenant, designed to bring quality jobs directly to the community• Expanded Recreation: Nine new tennis and pickleball courts, extended trail networks, and the inclusive Children's Depot playground• New Youth Sports Complex for Baseball, Softball and  Soccer• Enhanced Public Safety: A new fire station, town-operated ambulance services, and deeper coordination with county and volunteer agencies• Infrastructure Improvements: New roundabouts on U.S. 80 and upgraded intersections, coordinated with ALDOT for completion by spring 2026• Arts District: A planned cultural hub centered on the historic McFadden Home, featuring theater, event center, and museum spaces

These initiatives emerge from Pike Road's comprehensive planning process and participation in Alabama's Economic Development Academy, ensuring resident input guides every decision.

Some residents naturally worry that rapid expansion might compromise Pike Road's character. Mayor Stone has consistently demonstrated that growth and preservation can coexist. Every development initiative includes community input, maintains fiscal discipline, and prioritizes green space preservation. His approach ensures progress that strengthens rather than dilutes what makes Pike Road special.

True leadership requires both vision and execution, and Gordon Stone delivers both. He has built a world-class school system, fostered athletic excellence, guided strategic infrastructure development, and maintained the town's fiscal health, all while preserving the community values that define Pike Road.

His governance reflects transparency, conservative stewardship, and deep roots in the community he serves. From his farm upbringing to his role as mayor, Gordon Stone has remained grounded in the principles of service, accountability, and neighborly care.

Pike Road stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The community needs leadership that honors its past while confidently building its future. Gordon Stone offers that rare combination of proven experience, unwavering character, and forward-thinking vision.

On August 26, the choice is clear: Re-elect Gordon Stone as mayor. As someone who has watched this community grow and flourish under his leadership, and who knows the man behind the office, I can say with confidence that Pike Road needs Gordon Stone's continued guidance. Vote for a leader who understands Pike Road's heart, has delivered on his promises, and will continue guiding the community toward a bright future that preserves what we cherish while embracing the possibilities ahead.

Perry O. Hooper Jr. is a longtime Alabama Republican figure, former Alabama Legislator and Montgomery businessman. He served as Co-Chair of “Alabama Trump Victory” in 2016, and served as an at-large delegate to the Republican National Convention. He is a noted civic leader in Montgomery with deep family roots in Alabama’s legal and political history.

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