Hoover’s Pat Lynch remembered, “Integrity beyond reproach”
Friends and family of Pat Lynch will gather on Tuesday, August 13, for a memorial to honor his life and the many contributions he made to his community. Lynch and his wife Tynette, Hoover residents, have been active throughout the Birmingham area and have contributed personally and professionally to the City of Hoover for decades. Lynch passed away on Tuesday, August 6, due to complications from an ongoing respiratory infection after defeating cancer. “Pat took great delight in his family. He always said ‘this crazy amazing family’ was his greatest achievement in life,” his obituary read in part. He and his wife’s Facebook pages show images of a close-knit, loving family with posts of their children and grandchildren throughout the years. In January of 2023, Lynch was diagnosed with cancer which required his right kidney to be removed. Nearly a year after his diagnosis, he was honored by ROAR, the Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research, at their annual gala. According to an interview Lynch gave to the Over the Mountain Journal, “Due to his family history and long-held belief that cancer research is critical, Lynch has been a supporter of ROAR for several years.” His family noted that his wishes were that, in lieu of flowers, upon his passing donations be made to RoarTheCure.org in his name. In an interview with Senator Jabo Waggoner he highlighted their friendship saying that he’s known Lynch, “40 maybe 50 years”. Both Lynch and Waggoner’s wife were honored by ROAR for their work in cancer research which Waggoner described as making them closer over the last several years. Waggoner described the “mutual respect and friendship” among their families saying, “he was a great citizen and good friend to so many people. “He was a guy of character and we go way back and he’s always had a great personal reputation. You don’t hear anybody in this community criticizing Pat Lynch. He’s a class guy. He has a great wonderful and loving family. He will be missed in this community.” In 2009, Lynch retired from a long career as vice president and managing partner of Birmingham Budweiser, but he wasn’t ready for full retirement yet. In an interview with 280 Magazine in 2018, Lynch spoke about his “unretirement,” saying, “I didn’t know exactly what direction I was going to go after that. I had built, through my years at Budweiser, strong relationships. We were heavily involved in legislation in Montgomery that had to do with alcohol, and I knew a lot of people, a lot of local politicians. “So the natural progression for me would be to use those relationships to build a business. “I was really too young to stop and play golf, which is a really big hobby of mine, and I enjoyed making deals and getting involved in business,” Lynch said. “I’m having fun doing what I’m doing, even though it does take a lot of my time, but that’s OK.” The Hoover Sun reported that following Lynch’s departure from Budwiser, “Lynch started a business development and lobbying firm called Pat Lynch & Associates and another company called AlphaGov Consulting. His clients included beverage distributors, educational and health providers, nonprofit associations and large and small businesss. In Hoover, he has represented developers such as Will Kadish of Broad Metro, which is developing Stadium Trace Village.” Civic and community leaders have joined hundreds of friends and family in honoring the memory of Lynch with messages of support for his family. Alabama Today spoke with Jefferson County Commissioner Jimmie Stephens who said, “Pat Lynch, an honored friend and staple of the Hoover community, will be missed by all. He always exhibited class and character in all of his actions; his integrity was always beyond reproach. I will miss Pat dearly, as will the entire Hoover community.” Hoover City Councilman Steve McClinton echoed those sentiments saying, “Pat Lynch was a true pillar of Hoover, exemplifying the qualities of a Southern gentleman while serving the city and its community with distinction. Pat was a devoted family man who adored his wife Tynette and cherished every moment with his chilren and grandchildren, always doting on them. He never missed an opportunity to lend a helping hand to others. Pat was a rare soul, and the world feels a little less joyful without him.” Read his full obituary and service details below: James “Pat” Lynch of Hoover Alabama beloved Husband, Dad and Papa and caring friend to many passed away Tuesday, August 6, 2024 surrounded by his wife and best friend Tynette Lynch and his family. Pat took great delight in his family. He always said “this crazy amazing family” was his greatest achievement in life. Retired in 2009 from a long career as vice president and managing partner of Birmingham Budweiser where his title the Budman followed him for his entire life. After retirement he started a very successful business development firm, Pat Lynch & Associates, using his passion of helping people succeed. A respected leader in the Birmingham business world Pat was also very involved in the Birmingham community through his kind giving and support of many charities that were close to his heart. Pat loved golf and drinking fine wine. Pat and Tynette enjoyed a Blessed life traveling and enjoying the beach with family and friends. He said often that he had lived his bucket list. Pat was born on January 10, 1948, in Tazewell Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother Sadie Johnson Lynch and his father William P Lynch. He is survived by wife Tynette Gustin Lynch, brother William Paul Lynch of Clermont Florida, daughters Tracy Lynch Hays (Jason), Amy Lynch Goss, Stepsons Christopher Cerniglia, Jason Cerniglia (Angie) Grandchildren Alex Hays, Abby Hays, Gage Hays, Kalib McCoy, Kyleigh McCoy, Palmer Cerniglia, Peyton Cerniglia, Parson Cerniglia and Presley Cerniglia, and his nieces and nephews. Visitation is at 11 am and Funeral Mass following at 12 noon at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in Hoover on Tuesday, August 13 with lunch served after Mass. In lieu of flowers
Apryl Marie Fogel: Hoover City Council President John Lyda’s Quarterback Fake
Here in Alabama, football is beloved; there’s nothing like an unexpected play in a big game, something like a quarterback fake—a play requiring skill and precision akin to a magician’s sleight of hand. But while deception entertains on the field or stage, it’s troubling in local politics. Hoover has been rocked of late by confounding admissions, accusations, and unanswered questions, dividing the city council and fracturing relationships. Some are unaware of the turmoil at City Hall, while others ponder the way forward. City leaders, led by Mayor Frank Bracoto and Council President John Lyda, have sought to downplay or ignore question upon question and issue upon issue. City Administrator Ken Grimes followed their lead earlier this week and responded to concerns posed by residents on Facebook. Though the story he was responding to provided video evidence of a direct quote by the CFO and statements made in sworn testimony by the mayor, Grimes called it “junk taken out of context.” He didn’t clarify whether it was the mayor’s comments or the CFO’s that he believed was junk or what additional context he thought was needed to understand why a lease was signed before the costs were known or why the mayor said under oath that he hadn’t read it. Observers agree that the unfolding saga is more complex than officials admit, and a resolution is unlikely unless transparency improves. Could these issues be a series of unintentional and unrelated fumbles? Perhaps, but why would those involved leave them lingering and unaddressed for so long? For several years now, Lyda, Brocato, and their supporters have treated nearly every inquiry of questionable behavior as mere distractions rather than cause for concern. Until now, different situations have been treated as one-offs rather than a pattern, but a clear pattern is emerging, and I’m here to lay it all out for you in story form. Why story form? While not exactly boring in these circumstances, the interworkings of city government aren’t particularly riveting either. The facts laid out here are just that: facts. They stem from dozens of interviews, reviewing dozens of media stories, council meeting videos (no thanks to the city), searching for documents buried in dense public meeting packages, and reviewing audio recordings of testimony from the sparsely attended recent hearings. The city itself has been…less than helpful. Buckle up for a true story told in parts to bring the many converging details together for the first time. This is, without a doubt, just the beginning. Chapter 1: Darkness Slowly But Steadily Descends on the Field Once upon a time, Hoover seemed to have a government guided by the conservative values of small government, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability. However, as the city’s population, economy, and infrastructure grew, sunshine faded on the public information accessible to those who live, work, and do business there. I live in neighboring Birmingham and heard the city was overwhelmingly conservative, so imagine my surprise when I learned that while the state was going forward, Hoover was going backward with public information. Around August 2021, city officials sparked controversy by deleting years of council meeting videos from their official YouTube channel without notice or explanation. When confronted, no one would take responsibility for the decision. The city attorney, Phillip Corley, told The Hoover Sun, “This was a council policy communicated by the council president to the city clerk.” The Sun asked follow-up questions about the conflicting information from the City Attorney and evidence of when the videos were discovered missing, and his questions were ignored. The move to limit the availability and coverage of videos prompted the launch of The Hoover Channel, a YouTube page with over 200 videos created by Robin Schultz. He and his teenage grandson, Jackson Schultz, maintain the site. Based on what I witnessed at the last council meeting, Jackson did the technical camera work while Robin sought answers and accountability from the council himself. After the meeting, Jackson hurried his grandfather along to help him pack up the bags of equipment they used. After the council was questioned about the deletions, Lyda informally polled the council members and formalized a new policy. The new one restricted the city’s livestream. It would now end before the public comments section of the meeting, and the city was now not only allowed to delete the videos after 60 days or after minutes had been approved but required to do so. I’ve talked to multiple people about this, and not one person can explain the positive benefit of deleting the videos for the city if there’s no liability related to what has been done or said. Corley, the city attorney, defended the council’s actions. I’m paraphrasing here, but he essentially said residents who want public meetings, made and kept public using equipment they’ve paid for, are ungrateful little curious cash cows for the city who are lucky to get any video at all and should take what he and the council decided behind closed doors to give them and shut up. Okay, I added a lot of color to that last part. His actual quote was, “He advised the city that state law does not require meetings to be videoed or livestreamed, or for recordings of meetings to be made or preserved.” It’s worth noting that Corley’s name comes up again at least twice in this sordid series of stories. First, when the city increases the outside attorney budget by $500,000, and then when the mysterious forensic audit becomes public. These moves and curious cleanup, some would say coverup, were just the beginning. Residents and other sources have pointed out that the meeting minutes of city council meeting have also undergone changes over the last several years. Descriptions of council actions have become incredibly vague, often omitting crucial details of pre-vote discussions and questions/answers relevant to future research, reporting, and glorious editorial storytelling. Remember that these half-baked minutes are all the city attorney says the law requires them to do. If he and Lyda had their way, you would not
Hoover mayor draws two challengers for Aug. 23 municipal election
Hoover mayor Gary Ivey has drawn two challengers in the Birmingham suburb’s Aug. 23 municipal elections. Former Hoover City Fire Marshal Frank Brocato and Hoover City Schools Foundation President Steve McClinton will appear on the ballot, in what has become a highly contested race. Here is a quick review of each candidate and their proposed plans for the city, in alphabetical order: Frank Brocato Brocato, 63, served 42 years in the city’s fire department before retiring in 2015. With his background in public safety, Brocato has said he will make police and fire one of the top priorities for his administration, should he be elected. “My commitment to public safety will never be compromised,” Brocato told The Hoover Sun. “I think our city was built on providing a great public safety program.” Another issue for Brocato is increasing school funding. “Our school system is running a deficit every year and having to draw from their reserves,” said Brocato. “My fear is that if the school system begins to suffer, I believe it has just a domino effect,” causing property values and businesses to suffer. “I don’t think this city wants to see that happen.” Where to read more: https://frankbrocatoformayor.com https://www.facebook.com/frankbrocatoformayor Gary Ivey (I) Ivey, the owner of Hoover’s Crest Cadillac and the former city council president, has been mayor since his appointment to serve out the remainder of former mayor Tony Petelos‘s term in 2011. He was re-elected without a challenger in 2012. Ivey is seen as the establishment candidate in the race, and in a year where a plurality of Alabamians voted for anti-establishment presidential candidate Donald Trump, many incumbents are rightly taking extra precautions. Ivey began the campaign with more than $140,000 on hand, and is spending the money with alacrity. In the last several years he has bristled at increasing funding to the Hoover public schools, which has remained at around $2 million annually since a precipitous drop from around $8 million in 2008 — likely the main issue that brought his challengers. Where to read more: https://mayorivey.com https://www.facebook.com/MayorGaryIvey Steve McClinton On temporary leave from his volunteer position as president of the Hoover City Schools Foundation, McClinton, 47, a financial planner and father to three children in Hoover City Schools, has made no qualms about framing his entire campaign around the issue of school funding, which he believes Ivey must own. “The the schools go, so goes our city,” he proclaims in a video recently posted on his Facebook page. A late entry into the race, McClinton has a lot of ground to make up against the other two men, who have been campaigning since this spring, but he isn’t concerned. “Families, companies, and industries move to Hoover because they know it is an excellent place to raise a family. Once our schools start declining, so will our city, and I don’t believe the current administration is doing nearly enough to support Hoover City Schools.” Where to read more: www.OneHoover.com www.facebook.com/McClinton4Mayor Where to see them all speak The three mayoral candidates will meet for two forums before election day. The first event will be held Aug. 9 at 7 p.m. at Shades Crest Baptist Church, while the second is on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m.at the Wynfrey Hotel in the Riverchase Galleria.
