Shewbart retires as solid waste manager, elected new Red Bay mayor

In most cases having a “trashy” job is considered a bad thing, but for Mike Shewbart, it’s all in a day’s work.

Shewbart was brought on as manager of Shoals Solid Waste Disposal Authority and Recycling in January of 2018. Now, after seven years, he is retiring from the position.

“I have enjoyed it,” he said. “I have a real good crew, and I think we’ve accomplished a lot in those few years. We got the landfill closed with (the Alabama Department of Environmental Management). We moved up to the recycling center, and we have upped our recycling.”

Shewbart has had a bit of a varied professional career. He has been working in Colbert County but calls Red Bay home.

He worked for 20 years at the Northwest Alabama Livestock Auction before getting a position with the Alabama Department of Agriculture in 2006.

“(The auction) was an enjoyable job, but long hours,” Shewbart said. “We would work 80-100 hours a week.”

Shewbart would then go on to work for the City of Red Bay as director of operations for the parks and recreation department.

After an unsuccessful run for mayor, Shewbart moved on to his latest appointment in The Shoals.

“We got the landfill back in shape and solid enough we could close it and put grass on it,” he said. “Last year, we had trouble with the grass because of drought. But this year, we’ve been successful because of the rain, and we fertilized it well. I couldn’t do it by myself.”

Though Shewbart is leaving Shoals Solid Waste, his “retirement” won’t quite be what he originally had in mind.

“I never thought I would retire,” he said. “I always dreamed about it. When I got a little older, I thought, ‘well, maybe one day I will retire.’ I turned in my retirement papers, signed up to run for mayor of Red Bay, and was elected last week (Aug. 26). So, I’m not retiring, I’m changing jobs.”

Though Shewbart said he has enjoyed his time in The Shoals, he is looking forward to working in Red Bay again and “serving the people there.”

“I’m humbled,” he said. “We ran unsuccessfully nine years ago. I was defeated by 14 votes. We worked hard. My wife, family and I went door to door, and we saw a lot of people. I overheard someone say they didn’t know either candidate, but they voted for me because I talked to them in their yard and let them ask any question they wanted to. We are going to try and do things the right way, the way people want them done. I’m looking forward to it.”

Shewbart said he plans to meet with Red Bay’s street department each morning, and items like paving projects, utilities and drainage issues are at the top of his list of priorities.

“The crew here has been real good,” he said. “I appreciate them working with me. We’ve had a good board from the three cities and the county. I hope I have left a footprint that will be lasting here in The Shoals.”