LINDEN-Mitzi Gates has always been concerned about the well being of the people of Linden. Tuesday, she was given an opportunity to take a proactive approach to see that things progress in a positive direction for the people of her hometown.

Gates was sworn in Tuesday afternoon to become the newest edition to the Linden City Council in the District Five seat.

Gates said the opportunity to come home and serve as a leader was a rare opportunity and was especially pleased because of her strong ties to the city.

“I was very pleased to be chosen,” Gates said. “I was born and raised in Linden and spent most of my life there. I am excited for this opportunity.”

The opportunity presented itself when previous council member and mayor pro-tem Ivan Allday vacated his seat to relocate. Soon after the seat opened the council began brainstorming about replacements and Gates was at the top of the list. Gates was an easy choice and was contacted soon after her nomination to see if she was interested in the job.

“They let me know that Ivan Allday would be moving and that his seat had been freed up,” Gates said. “They let me know that I had been nominated and asked me if I would consider it.”

Naturally, Gates accepted and finds herself in an exciting new position. Gates said while she was glad to take the job the offer did come as a surprise to her.

“I was very surprised because I had never thought about serving in a city office before,” Gates said. “I have always been interested in local politics and always wanted to help out, but I had never really considered running for office before.”

The new job presents a great deal of excitement and a host of new challenges. Gates said her number one goal is to learn as much as she possibly can about the position and the avenues she must use to help. Gates said she would work hard to become a positive addition to the council and a positive representative for the people of District Five.

“Right now I am learning the process,” Gates said. “I am looking forward to learning all that I can. That is my main goal. To learn as much as I can and be the best representative for my constituents I can be.”

Gates added she was confident the transition would be much easier because of the people she will be surrounded by at City Hall.

“I am very excited about working with the other council members and city employees,” Gates said. “We have a great group and I know we will all work well together.”

Gates was born and raised in Linden before stints in Atlanta and Nashville. However, she said big city life was not for her and when her hometown of Linden called she was more than happy to return. She currently resides in Linden with her husband of four years Greg.

When not working to improve the city of Linden Gates is employed with the University of West Alabama where she is a Composition and Speech Instructor.