Title
Edward "Big Ed" Robertson, Mayor of Northport
Subject
Mayors
Robertson, Edward, 1930-2003
Description
Edward D. "BIG ED" Robertson ( 1930-2003), during a career of public service that lasted 24 years, earned a reputation as a bold and sometimes controversial leader who stood up for the unfortunate and spoke his mind. Robertson represented the Northport area during a career of public service that lasted 24 years, He served as mayor of Northport from 1984 to 1988.
Born in 1930 to J.D. and Myra Parsons Robertson, he grew up in the Piney Woods community in north Tuscaloosa County near New Lexington. He moved to Northport in 1951 and was elected a Northport City Councilman in 1964. He served three years before being elected to fill the unexpired term of State Representative Hugh Thomas. Robertson served as representative for 11 years and won a seat in the state Senate in 1979.
His slogan in all his elections was "Solid as a Rock." and he gave out thousands of small stones with the slogan and his name on them.
After losing his bid for re-election to Charles Bishop when their senate districts were combined in 1983, Robertson returned to city government.
He considered running for the senate seat as an independent candidate but instead chose to run for Northport mayor in 1984. He won with 65 percent of the vote, but he did not win re-election when he sought a second term in 1988.
Robertson died in 2003, most remembered for his work to bring the West Alabama General Hospital to Northport
Born in 1930 to J.D. and Myra Parsons Robertson, he grew up in the Piney Woods community in north Tuscaloosa County near New Lexington. He moved to Northport in 1951 and was elected a Northport City Councilman in 1964. He served three years before being elected to fill the unexpired term of State Representative Hugh Thomas. Robertson served as representative for 11 years and won a seat in the state Senate in 1979.
His slogan in all his elections was "Solid as a Rock." and he gave out thousands of small stones with the slogan and his name on them.
After losing his bid for re-election to Charles Bishop when their senate districts were combined in 1983, Robertson returned to city government.
He considered running for the senate seat as an independent candidate but instead chose to run for Northport mayor in 1984. He won with 65 percent of the vote, but he did not win re-election when he sought a second term in 1988.
Robertson died in 2003, most remembered for his work to bring the West Alabama General Hospital to Northport
Source
Friends of Historic Northport
Contributor
Betty Slowe (Description)
Type
Photograph
Identifier
601
Coverage
Northport (AL)
Original Format
Photograph
Physical Dimensions
2 inches by 3 inches