Councilor Yolanda Y Lawson - Pleasant Grove, Al

08/09/2025

Yolanda Y Lawson for Mayor of Pleasant Grove

08/09/2025

Yolanda Yvette Lawson

08/09/2025

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!!!! I so appreciate Retired Mayor Brassealle for appointing me to organize this annual event atarting 4 years ago and every year, including this one, was no different! I love working to organize the student/coach/parent/volunteers participation, advertise the event, receive the supplies and distribute them on cleanup day. This makes for a smooth event each year!

Year 15 of the Valley Creek CleanUp was Awesome Awesome Awesome!!!

Thank you to all the volunteers (individually and as a group-PGHS Band and Band Director; Cheer and Cheer Moms; Basketball and Basketball Coaches; and Football and Football Coaches; the Birmingham Giants, Birmingham Giants Coaches, Moms ans Dads).

Thanks also to Councilors Houston, Calhoun and Dunn for coming out today. To all our volunteers helping with setup, sign up, trash bag pickup, watwr distribution and supply distribution-thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

We collected over 100 bags of trash and had still counting the number of volunteers!!!! Great Job EVERYONE!!!

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ONE PROGRAM MAGNIFIED!!lke

07/30/2025

Yolanda Yvette Lawson

🗓️ 29 Days to Go.
Now’s the time to stay focused—together.

Here’s a quick parable for the journey:

A group of neighbors decided to plant a garden. Each one brought something different—seeds, tools, water, time. As they worked, others stood at the edge, shouting opinions, stirring confusion, and trying to pull them off task.

But the neighbors didn’t argue. They kept working.
One tilled the soil. Another planted. Another watered.
They encouraged each other and stayed the course.

When the season changed, they didn’t just have a garden—
They had a harvest they all could share.

🌱 The lesson? Progress comes when we stay focused, block out distractions, and work side by side toward a common goal.

Let’s keep planting good things in Pleasant Grove—together.

07/26/2025

REAL SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOLS:

Our schools are the backbone of our community. While our past support was boosted with ARPA funds, City support for our schools can continue and it doesn’t mean draining the city budget—it should mean planning smarter and doing more with what we have!

As mayor, I will deliver real support for our schools through a combination of expanded Public Works services, strategic partnerships, and grant funding support-all without compromising core city services.

Here’s how:

🔹 Present a balanced budget to the City Council that includes RESOURCES for built-In School Support from Day One: When we expand and restructure our Public Works Department, we’ll do so with RESOURCES for school support already included in the plan. That means schools benefit from city resources—without pulling away from city needs. The school support will not be an afterthought, it will be a part of the design.

🔹 In-Kind Services: From assisting with maintenance of athletic fields to helping with school events and improving surrounding infrastructure—our crews can ease burdens the school system often carries alone. Many believe the Board of Ed does it all-that is not the case! The Board provides each school a budget to maintain their school. Once those funds are depleted, repairs go undone. Short of a safety issue, some things must wait, often to the detriment of our students.

🔹 Grants and Partnerships: I’ve already brought in over $50,000 in grants for our city and applied for over $700,000 more. I’ll use that same experience to assist our schools to secure funding for school programs, supplies, and improvements—without dipping into limited local funds!

🔹 Collaborative Planning: The city and school system should not operate in silos. Good schools and good cities go hand and hand. As mayor, I’ll foster real coordination to get things done—not just talk about why we can’t.

This is real leadership, focused on results—not just ideas, but actions backed by a plan.

Let’s invest in our students, protect our budget, and move Pleasant Grove forward—together.

07/25/2025

REAL SUPPORT FOR
PUBLIC SAFETY:
🚓🚒 Preserve, Protect, and Strengthen Public Safety in PG with a mayor who plans ahead.! 🔒💙

Pleasant Grove already has one of the safest communities in the state (5th or 6th of 174 municipalities)— thanks to the dedication of our police officers, firefighters, and dispatchers. Let’s go for #1!

As Mayor, I won’t let our current progress stall.

I will:

✅ Partner with our experienced Chief of Public Safety to build on what works and strengthen what needs improvement
✅ Make sure our team is well equipped to keep call response times fast and staffing strong!
✅ Advocate for a competitive Public Safety Pay Scale
✅ Prioritize equipment, training, and facility repairs and upgrades
✅ Strengthen our community partnerships and outreach
✅ Make sure we stay trained and ready for any emergency

💰 How will we pay for it?

✅ Smart budget realignment
✅ Competitive grants
✅ Community partnerships
✅ Phased implementation
✅ No property tax increase

Our team works hard for us. I’ll make sure we keep working hard for them — because real support goes beyond words.

I’m committed to real support for public safety — and real responsibility with your tax dollars.

🗳 Vote Yolanda Yvette Lawson for Mayor on August 26, 2025
📞 205-259-8902 | 🌐 www.lawson4pgmayor.com
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Elect Yolanda Lawson for Mayor and help build a stronger, thriving Pleasant Grove. Make your voice heard and be part of the change by voting on April 26, 2025!

07/24/2025

REAL CITY CLEANUP: True Leadership Creating a Plan for the WHOLE CITY!

I’m thankful for ANY AND EVERYONE who steps up to help improve Pleasant Grove. That hope for help is what sparked me in the Co-Creation of the PG PLUS ONE PROGRAM because consistent Community involvement matters—when it’s done in good faith and with integrity.

The PLUS ONE Program encourages EVERY citizen to make the effort to clean up on their own street and at least one other area of the city. WE are all a part of the solution!

But let’s be honest: we need REAL CITY CLEANUP! We need a citywide plan that addresses ALL neighborhoods!

Here’s how we get there:

✅ A Revamped AND EXPANDED Public Works Department – Equipped and staffed to handle ongoing cleanup, not just special areas or on special occasions.

✅ Hold our contracted service providers to their contract and enforce the services we should currently receive as well as responsibly negotiate for additional services as necessary for our City’s needs.

✅ Creative Partnerships – Civic groups, churches, and residents all playing a real ONGOING role in regular maintenance and city pride. Let’s bring back the Auntie Litter Program to get our youngest neighbors engaged earlier. Also implement an adopt a road or street program

✅ Smart Economic Growth – With a new commercial district, on the city’s edge, we can generate those additional resources needed to maintain Pleasant Grove without burdening taxpayers.

✅ Beautification That Attracts New Families & Businesses – Because we’re not a pass-through town—we’re a destination! We are home!

Let’s stop patching problems. Let’s clean and build up EVERY street, EVERY block, and EVERY area of our City—because EVERY resident deserves that.

Vote Yolanda Yvette Lawson for Mayor | August 26, 2025

07/23/2025

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A Stronger Pleasant Grove Through Smart Growth!

I love Pleasant Grove for what it is—AND for what it can become.

As a long-time resident and city councilor, I’ve spent years listening to what matters most to OUR NEIGHBORS: keeping that close-knit, safe, family-focused feel while also making sure our city doesn’t fall behind economically.

That’s why I believe in strategic, smart economic growth—growth that protects what we love as well as gives us what we need.

✅ A dedicated commercial district ON THE OUTSKIRTS of the city means we can attract new revenue without disrupting our neighborhoods. I love coming home to my small space of peace.
✅ New businesses will help increase funding for our parks, roads, schools, and public safety—without burdening our existing City savings and investments.
✅ More jobs and services close to home means more convenience, more opportunity, and more pride in Pleasant Grove.
✅ Support for existing businesses remains a top priority! Growth should lift the businesses already here—not compete with them. I consitently have, and will continue to support our existing businesses.

Our future isn’t about becoming someone else’s city; It’s about building our own path forward—with intention, with transparency, and with your voice at the table.

An even more vibrant Pleasant Grove is possible—and I’m ready to lead the way.

Vote Yolanda Yvette Lawson for Mayor on August 26, 2025

07/08/2025

Dear Neighbors,
I’m excited to see you at the Pleasant Grove Political Forum this Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Pleasant Grove High School. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and, just like at city council meetings, I’ll be there early and staying after to hear what’s on your mind.

For me, this is more than a forum. It’s a conversation about our community’s future. I’d love the chance to connect with you, answer your questions, and share my vision for a stronger, safer, and more vibrant Pleasant Grove. Hope to see you there!

07/03/2025

Yolanda Y Lawson for Mayor of Pleasant Grove Campaign Platform: Real Leadership. Real Solutions.

As mayor, I’m committed to delivering real progress — not empty promises. My platform focuses on practical, people-first solutions that revitalize our city, protect our residents, and prepare the next generation for success!

🧹 Real City Cleanup & Public Works Revamp

Pleasant Grove deserves to be clean, safe, and inviting. That starts with revitalizing our Public Works Department to make it more efficient, better equipped, and fully supported.

As your Mayor, we will:
• Streamline response times for overgrown areas, debris, and drainage issues.
• Prioritize street and infrastructure maintenance using clear work order tracking and timelines.
• Invest in updated equipment and expanded staff capacity for quicker, more consistent results.

🚓 Real Support for Public Safety

Our police, fire, and emergency personnel are the backbone of our city. As your Mayor, we will:
• Advocate for fair public safety pay to ensure competitive salaries that attract and retain qualified professionals.
• Work to ensure our departments are fully staffed and equipped with the tools and training needed to keep us safe.
• Strengthen relationships between public safety and the community through transparency and support.

🎓 Real Support for Schools & Students

While the City of Pleasant Grove may not be abke to fund local schools at the previous levels, there is still so much we can do. As mayor, we will:
• Coordinate support services like mental health programs, after-school care, and tutoring by partnering with local nonprofits and regional agencies.
• Champion resource allocation by working with the Jefferson County Board of Education to ensure Pleasant Grove’s needs are front and center.
• Facilitate city-led grants and sponsorships to enhance school events, teacher support, and student success initiatives.

🌳 Responsibly make Real Investments in Parks & Recreation

Our parks should be centers of community. As your Mayor, we can:
• Replace, update and maintain playground equipment, sports courts, and green spaces using responsible budgeting and phased improvements.
• Leverage state, federal, and corporate grants — as well as community volunteers and Public Works — to stretch dollars and expand access.
• Introduce more inclusive recreation options for all ages, from a full walking trail, ADA resources, to senior fitness equipment.

Regarding North Side Park:
The current park site is condemned because it sits on a historical tar pit — making it unsafe in its current form. But that doesn’t mean it’s a lost cause!

As your Mayor, we can:
• Initiate environmental testing and partner with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) to determine safe redevelopment options.
• Pursue brownfield remediation grants to clean and stabilize the land.
• Work with environmental engineers to explore converting the site into a community green space, urban garden, or eco-play zone with educational and recreational value — safely and sustainably.

This campaign is about real action and real outcomes — not just words. Together, we can clean up Pleasant Grove, support those who serve us, empower our children, and breathe new life into our parks and neighborhoods.

05/21/2025

It’s a couple of miles from Pleasant Grove City Hall to Pleasant Grove High School and thanks to these incredible leaders, the distance feels even shorter. We’re proud of this dedicated group working together to keep Pleasant Grove moving forward!

05/21/2025

Pleasant Grove High School

A moment of civic pride as state, city, and school leaders prepare to honor the Pleasant Grove High School Class of 2025 which received over $4 million dollars in scholarship offers.

(left to right) State Representative Patrick Sellers, House District 57, Pleasant Grove City Councilor Yolanda Lawson, and Pleasant Grove Elementary School Assistant Principal Dr. Dorielle Sellers.