Where were you born and raised? Born in Gadsden and raised in Wellington.
What is your occupation? I am an educator. I teach U.S. History and coach Soccer at Southside High School.
What made you decide to work in your field? I enjoy teaching and my favorite subjects are history and government. I have always wanted to be a teacher and a coach.
Tell us about your family and pets. My wife Tonya is a home visit HIPPY instructor with Gadsden City Schools and a former patient representative at Gadsden Orthopedics. I have four living children: Trey (Jackie R Vice, III) age 30, a former pitcher for the UAB Blazers; Torrie (Victoria Lauren) Stovall, age 29, who works as logistics specialist with Scott Logistics; Will (William Kelley) Vice, age 18; a football and soccer player at Westbrook Christian School; Grant (Bentley Grant) Vice, age 13; who is a soccer player at Rainbow Middle School. I have two deceased daughters: Hayden (eight weeks) and Addison (stillborn). I have five grandchildren: Jake (James Robert), age 7; Drew (J.R. Vice, IV) age 7; Ben (Bennett Owen), age 4; Corbin, age 6; and Merritt, age 2. I have a Border Collie/Australian Mix dog named Wrigley. My father, Jackie Vice, is a retired railroad worker and owner of Vice Pools. My mother Carol is a retired resource teacher at Saks and Alexandria high schools.
Describe an average day in your life. I wake up around 5:15 a.m. I begin with quiet time and prayer. During the regular school year, I arrive at my classroom around 6:30 a.m. and grade any work that is not graded and prepare for the day. I teach until 2:45 p.m. and then have practice until approximately 5:30 p.m. When I get home, I spent time with my wife Tonya and children, eat dinner and go to bed around 10:30. I also coach youth soccer during the offseason and teach Sunday School at Meadowbrook Baptist Church.
What school or schools have you attended? High school: Alexandria; college: Gadsden State, Jacksonville State University, B.S.E., The University of Alabama, M.A. History, Lincoln Memorial University, EdS. , The University of Central Florida, A.P. Certification; and the University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
What do you like to do in your free time? Spending time with family, vacations, yard work, etc. and, of course, watching/coaching my children’s sporting events.
What would you say is your greatest accomplishment? Seeing my children accept Christ. However, that is a free gift from God, but I hope that my example helped guide them down the pathway to salvation. Other than that, my greatest accomplishment is convincing my wife Tonya to spend the rest of her life with me and accepting my marriage proposal.
Name the one person that has been the most influential in your life. Why? Other than my parents, who are incredible, the one person who influenced me the most in my life was Rev. (Dr.) Bob Ford, the Baptist Campus Minister at Jacksonville State University. He helped me see beyond the obvious answers and helped me find my true calling.
To what do you credit your success? Faith in Christ and awesome parents with a strong work ethic who would give up anything for my brothers and me.
Are you involved in any service organizations? I primarily serve through my church/life group.
What is your favorite thing about this community? Rainbow City is a welcoming environment with a safe atmosphere to raise a family.
What would you like to see change in the community? I would like to build on the strong points of Rainbow City and increase commercial and industrial growth without jeopardizing existing neighborhoods. I would also like to see improvements in the area of infrastructure, drainage, technology, and recreation.
What are three words that describe you? Family man, educator, and coach.
What is something surprising that many do not know about you? I play eight musical instruments.
What is your favorite quote? “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” – Proverbs 27: 1
What is on your bucket list? To play on stage with Def Leppard.
What is your hidden talent? Discernment. I usually make good decisions and can definitely tell when someone is telling me the truth or not.
If a movie were made about your life, who would you want to play you? Probably The Rock, because he shows you can be an athlete/competitor without being a tough guy/jerk.
What advice would you give to yourself as a child? Calm down; life is too short to get caught up in every moment or issue.
What position are you running for? City Council, Place 2, Rainbow City.
What inspired you to run? Several people called and encouraged me to consider the opportunity. After a few days of prayer and consultation with my wife, I decided to run.
What is your vision, if you are elected? To see Rainbow City grow to the level of Pell City, Oxford or Trussville without losing the amazing neighborhoods and small-town feel of the present. I will also work diligently to improve available mental health access for the citizens of Rainbow City, especially school-age children.