Hello Homewood!
John Manzelli
City Council
Ward 3
A New Voice for Change and Responsive Government.
My name is John Manzelli, and over the last two months, I’ve proudly stood with you—my neighbors—to fight against the overdevelopment of the Creekside Project by Landmark and Samford. Thanks to a powerful grassroots effort, we won. But the work doesn’t stop here. Inspired by your passion and a deep love for our town, I’m running to represent Ward 3 on the Homewood City Council. There’s important work ahead to move Homewood forward—and I’m ready to do that work.
On August 26th, Ward 3 has an important choice to make about the future of our city. Homewood is an incredible place, and this is a pivotal moment in its history. This election is about more than familiar names or individual projects—it’s about thoughtful, forward-thinking leadership that will guide the next decade of growth and planning. We need independent, transparent representation that prioritizes responsible development, strong public schools, and protects Homewood’s character while securing its financial future.
With your help, we can bring in a new council—one that meets challenges with energy, intelligence, and vision, and always leads with kindness and respect. I’m in this for the long haul—and I’d be honored to earn your vote.
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With Your Help, We Will:
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Pursue smart, community-focused solutions for Brookwood Village that generate positive tax revenue for our schools.
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Implement a more responsive communication platform with a text-based alert system to enhance the city’s communication capabilities and ensure timely, effective dissemination of information to residents.
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Promote responsible, transparent development by Samford—supporting their growth, generating tax revenue for the city, and respecting surrounding neighborhoods.
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Improve traffic flow and expand parking options.
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Support the excellence of our public schools and help them meet the financial challenges of the future.
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Increase transparency, communication, and accountability in local government.
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Support the growth of arts and culture in Homewood.
Key Qualifications:
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Proven Fighter – Led the successful grassroots effort opposing the Creekside development.
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25 Years in Education – Experience teaching at both the high school and university levels.
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Business & Budget Expertise – 10 years in arts administration with a strong focus on smart fiscal management.
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Truly Independent – No ties to developers, entrenched officials, or special interests. My responsibility is to the citizens of Homewood.
Our Story
Six years ago, my family and I moved to Homewood from South Florida in search of a community that reflected our values of family, education, and connection. We found it here. I became Chair of the Theatre Department at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and my wife, Jennifer, works as a physical therapist with Birmingham City Schools, serving students with physical disabilities. We quickly fell in love with Homewood and made our home at Lakeshore Drive. We’ve been embraced by this town and its people. Our son John, 13, attends Homewood Middle School, where he runs cross country, plays rec basketball, and performs in the middle school band as a trombonist. We’ve cheered him on from the soccer fields to the Mega Fields in both soccer and lacrosse. Our daughter, Isabella, attends Homewood High School and she will proudly represent Alabama at the National HOSA Convention in Nashville. Through our years here, I’ve come to know both the strengths of Homewood and the places where we can grow. I’m grateful for our strong schools and believe they can be even better. I admire our vibrant downtown and see room for continued investment in quality of life for all residents. "We Love Homewood" is more than a a fun slogan—it’s the reason I’m running for office. I’m running for my family, for my neighbors, and for the future of this remarkable little community we call home.
Bham Now
ASFA teacher honored by the 2025 Tony Awards
"John Manzelli, the Theatre Chair at Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA), received an Honorable Mention in the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented by the Tony Awards and Carnegie Mellon University.
The Excellence in Theatre Education Award celebrates K–12 theatre educators who have demonstrated a monumental influence on the lives of their students."
ABC 33/40
Samford Creekside District plan withdrawn amid strong opposition in Homewood
"Manzelli organized a petition against the development, gathering over 600 signatures. He and other residents also opposed a proposed incentive package that would have allowed Samford and Landmark to retain all tax revenue generated by the development, except for school funds, until $26 million or 20 years had passed. "This clearly didn’t make sense. Twenty years is the largest abatement this city would’ve ever given, and it was quite obvious that there wasn’t enough in it for the city," said Manzelli.
John Manzelli launches Homewood council bid after Creekside victory
"Manzelli’s campaign focuses on developments for Brookwood Village, pushing for transparency regarding Samford University’s expansion, improving the city’s flow of traffic and expanding parking options, encouraging excellence in the school system, increasing transparency and accountability from local government, and supporting Homewood’s art and culture."
Letter to the Editor: Homewood Residents Stand United Against Development Overreach
Everyone must pay attention to the next election. They are going to bring this back in a bigger way once they think they have the votes. The candidates who run must declare where they stand on Samford going forward. This should be the first question asked of any of them. The people of Homewood must ask which candidates will stand for them moving forward. Landmark will find that Homewood is stronger than they initially expected. This is the first of many battles for the future of our town. We will win them all
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