His voice has been on the airways in Tallassee for five decades. But Fred Randall Hughey is more than the owner and radio voice at WACQ.
Hughey is a proponent of community service and success and practices what he preaches. From serving on various boards and committees over the years to eating lunch in Tallassee’s restaurants everyday, to serving on the Tallassee City Council representing Ward 7 for the last five years, Hughey lives and breathes Tallassee.
“I saw an opportunity to serve on the council five years ago and stepped up,” Hughey said. “I knew there was gonna be some exciting things going on and thought it was my turn to serve.”
Hughey was part of the council that saw $15 million of grants awarded to the city for the replacement of cast-iron gas lines. He was there as the utilities and streetscape in downtown Tallassee were improved, mostly through grant funding.
Hughey voted to renovate the city’s wastewater treatment facility to provide decades more service to aid in growth of the city. He was also part of the council to help secure funding from the Elmore County Commission for renovating the downtown water tower and Quality of Life projects at J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium and new recreational center.
“All the many accomplishments the current council has enjoyed will translate into a bright future for the City of Tallassee,” Hughey said. “The ground work has been laid through infrastructure improvements that will translate into increased population and retail and industrial growth. I want to continue to serve Ward 7 and the citizens of Tallasse to keep a good thing going.”
Hughey might have just five years of experience on the council, but his knowledge of city government goes back more than five decades. He was born and raised in Carrville, now east Tallassee. He commuted to Montgomery to help with production in television before moving his commute to Union Springs to get his start in radio. A few years later he shortened his commute to his hometown.
When Hughey helped start WACQ in 1979, he reported on council proceedings in Carrville. He has been running around Tallassee ever since, reporting, selling advertising, visiting with people and eating in its local restaurants. Recently Hughey has been found in Taste of Talisi, 1220 Cafe and more visiting with diners and eating lunch.
“They advertise with us,” Hughey said. “I feel we need to support them as they support us. It’s also a good way to keep up with what is going on.”
Municipal elections are August 26.