Bill Neussl has qualified to run for Ward 1 on the Clanton City Council.

“I have been a public servant most of my adult life, serving 20 years with the Federal Government and 10 years with the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs. Public service is about helping people live better lives,” he said.

Neussl retired from the United States Air Force in 1987 having served in Washington, Texas, California, Alabama, Germany and a year in South Vietnam during the war. He is married to the former Becky Gwathney, a native of Clanton. They have one adult daughter, Julie Neussl Harrison, and son-in-law, Chad Harrison.

More recently, Bill was employed as Chilton County’s Veteran Service Officer located in the Chilton County Courthouse. He retired in May 2008. He aired the weekly “Veterans Column of the Air” on Clanton Radio station WKLF-AM from 1998 to 2008, along with a weekly newspaper column “Veterans Corner” published in the Chilton County News.

“I have grown close to the veterans and families of Chilton County the past 10 years counseling them and processing their applications for Federal and State benefits. As their advocate, I was able to facilitate bringing over $3 million annually to the veterans and their families in the form of VA Pension, Compensation, Educational and Medical benefits. Also, the Alabama GI Bill has allowed numerous family members of service-connected disabled veterans obtain higher education at state supported colleges and universities, with all books and tuition paid. In addition, I have counseled hundreds of veterans and their families about the financial and quality of life issues when a person enters a nursing home or extended care facility such as assisted living. If elected, I will carry on this tradition of serving,” he said.

Neussl is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Clanton Post #3193 and American Legion, Douglas Glass Post #6 in Clanton.

“My objective is to further improve the quality of life in Clanton while maintaining our small town atmosphere and ‘sense of community.’ Unlike other candidates, if elected, I will be able to devote full-time to the position, as I am not burdened by employment or professional practice,” he said. “Please vote on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Clanton City Hall.”