Our best Future starts with Tough Love - An open letter to the Citizens of Homewood from Dr. Robin Litaker

Guest opinion by Dr. Robin Litaker

Homewood is a strong and vibrant community with the best schools in the state. The culture in City Hall and the quality of governance, on the other hand, doesn’t reflect who we are or what we deserve—corrupted by decades of questionable practices, a lack of transparency, and decision-making placed in the hands of a few people. As a candidate for Mayor, I believe it is essential to shine a light on these issues so that voters can make an informed choice about the future of our city. As a former principal with over 30 years of experience, I learned that ignoring unpleasant problems allows systemic issues to fester. It is important to ask the hard questions and take corrective measures. I’ve experienced how tough love is the best kind of love in these situations.

To achieve our brightest future, we need a different kind of leader, one who will tackle these issues head-on and bring accountability to our city government. My opponent is glossing over the problems - making this election about her story.

The following issues during her tenure have to be a part of that story:

• Excessive Power of the City Attorney: For 40 years, the city attorney has exercised disproportionate influence over city matters, and for the last five years, maintained his law firm’s office inside City Hall, reportedly paying below market rent. To add insult to injury, our legal budget is twice that of our neighboring cities.

My opponent has never expressed concern over this relationship, which is a glaring abuse of power, and has voiced support for his hand-picked replacement - signaling “business as usual” going forward.

• Unsustainable Debt: Homewood carries $159 million in debt and $28 million in unfunded pension liabilities. Rather than presenting a clear repayment strategy, residents are told this is “good debt.” This approach puts both retirees’ pensions and our city’s financial future at risk.

• Embezzlement and Missing Audits: A finance director embezzled nearly $1 million of taxpayer funds. Yet safeguards are absent, transparency is lacking, and required federal audits remain unfiled in most departments. According to the Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts review, the City Council did not “provide effective oversight of the city’s operations to provide accountability for the use of public funds.” Citizens still cannot get clear answers about the city’s financial practices, and residents don’t feel right about the lingering questions.

• No Bid Contracts and Reduced Services: Are we getting our money’s worth? We see huge price tags for expenditures with less-than-transparent procurement procedures. We see wasted money on unpopular plans that get scrapped at the last minute. We see reduced public services and deferred maintenance. With a ballooning budget this year, where is all our money going? We just don’t know.

• Manipulated Referendum on City Manager: What began as an effort to hire a city manager turned into a confusing referendum that also reduced council representation by 60% and fundamentally changed our government structure.

Voters were presented with an all-or-nothing choice, and every facet of our local government was used to push the plan, which was supposed to be a citizen-led referendum. The council didn’t even allow voters to consider options that provided more representation, leading to an unnecessarily divided Electorate.

• Orchestrated Mayoral Resignation: Former Mayor Patrick McClusky delayed the announcement of his resignation until August and then delayed making it effective until November. This orchestration avoided the requirement for a special election, allowing the seat to pass to the council president instead of giving citizens their rightful vote to replace him. My opponent not only went along with this maneuvering, but she is now considering appointing him as the city attorney when that role becomes vacant.

• Unqualified City Manager Hire: Homewood hired a city manager with less than three years of experience—some jobs lasting only weeks—and without the credentials residents were promised. Despite this, he receives a salary of $250,000 annually and generous perks. Even more troubling, my opponent has stated she intends to keep him if elected, waiving her poorly vetted hire like a magic wand that will correct all past mistakes.

• Culture of Dismissiveness: The current administration acts as if they’re the only option, dismissing the voices of residents in favor of so-called “experts.” Too many neighbors feel hesitant to speak up, worried about disrespect or backlash from city leaders and their online supporters. This mindset shuts down open dialogue and weakens the trust that should exist between residents and local government.

Homewood, these are hard truths to face, and they can only be faced with tough love and determination. It brings me no joy to say it, but my opponent has been an active part of this culture for the past 9 years. It is time to chart a new path forward, and I will chart that path by pledging to follow 3 simple principles:

Opening the Books - All matters regarding your tax dollars should be online in an easy-to-navigate system.

Opening the Communication - Proactive communication with meaningful citizen input first.

Opening the Hearts - Create a culture of public service in City Hall that emphasizes citizens and our local businesses. Homewood is at a turning point. On August 26, 2025, we have the opportunity to demand accountability, restore transparency, and choose leadership that puts residents first.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robin Litaker

Candidate for Mayor of Homewood

Litaker will face Jennifer Andress in the August 26th municipal election. For more information on the Homewood election, see this link.

For more information on Robin Litaker, follow her on social media or visit her campaign website, litakerforhomewood.com.

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