Meadows entwined with the City of Opelika

At times, it’s difficult to separate the life of Rainer Meadows from the history of the city of Opelika. The two have become deeply entwined over the years.
In 1951, Meadows came into the world as one of the last babies to be delivered at Opelika Hospital, which was located on 9th Street near First Presbyterian Church.

Shortly after he was born, Meadows’ family moved to Eufaula, where they lived for five years. They returned to Opelika just in time for a young Meadows to begin attending first grade.

Meadows was a junior at Opelika High School when the city’s public schools were integrated. Back then, the high school was on Denson Drive in the building that now houses Opelika Middle School.

After graduating from high school, Meadows headed to Birmingham to attend college. The hiatus from his hometown didn’t last long. Less than two years later, he returned to Opelika — this time it was for good.

“I came on spring break, and the Azalea Trail was in full bloom in Opelika,” Meadows recalled. That’s when he said he knew, “This is where I need to be.“
Meadows began attending Auburn University, where he graduated with a degree in accounting. Meadows soon entered the banking industry, a profession he was in for more than 30 years.

He is now involved in the construction of houses. He co-owns Sterling Properties with his wife, Susan, who began the small business in 2003. So far, the couple’s company has built 18 houses, all in Opelika.

In the late 1980s, Meadows became involved in city politics. In 1988, he was elected as an Opelika City Council member and served for a four-year term. Meadows also served for 10 years on the Opelika Planning Commission.

As a city council member, Meadows had a hand in shaping the future — and the subsequent history — of Opelika, playing a part in the construction of West Ridge Park and the development of Grand National, part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

The city projects touched on two of Meadows’ biggest passions in life — supporting youth recreational league sports and playing golf.
Earlier this year, Meadows returned to the political arena when he announced his candidacy in the Opelika mayoral race.

His campaign platform centers around attracting and keeping “young families,” and supporting the Opelika City Schools system, which, he says, impacts every area of the city, “from crime to economic development.“

Meadows considers himself to be a qualified ambassador to promote Opelika City Schools. He and his two children attended Opelika schools, his mother and grandmother were teachers in Opelika, and his brother, Bob Meadows, currently serves on the Opelika Board of Education.

“I think that’s a critical part of selling our school system,” Rainer Meadows said of his combined experience and family history with Opelika City Schools.
Meadows’ support of the school system is the main reason why Cassandra Dowdell has decided to cast her vote for him on Tuesday. Dowdell worked in banking with Meadows for eight years and is currently employed as a bookkeeper for Opelika City Schools.

“I truly believe Rainer would do all he could for the (school) system,” Dowdell said.
Many of Meadows’ supporters also say his background in the banking industry would better prepare him to handle the city’s financial and economic development issues.

Stan Martin, an Opelika attorney who has known Meadows since they attended first grade, said more than three decades of working in the banking industry combined with his friend’s “character and integrity,” would make Meadows a “good steward of the public’s funds.”

ON THE WEB: http://www.rainermeadows.com

RAINER MEADOWS

Age: 56

Occupation: Sterling Properties, LLC Homebuilding Business

Years of Education: Formal 16, Life Experiences 56

High School: Opelika High

College: Attended Birmingham Southern College, Graduated Auburn University

What is the last book you read? “Stand for Something” John Kasich, Currently reading “The Bait of Satan” John Bevere

What music do you have on your iPod or CD player? “Real” Country, Alan Jackson, George Strait, Hank Williams, Etc.

Who is your favorite historical figure? Why? Jesus Christ. John 3:16

Why should voters choose you instead of your opponent? I am the best candidate to bring our city together to achieve the critical balance of managing healthy growth and maintaining our small town quality of life. I have the best combination of business and government experience, values, respect for all citizens and first hand experiences with our city school system.

What is the single most important thing you want to accomplish? Reverse the trend of families with school age children choosing to either not live in Opelika or move from Opelika to attend other school systems. If we put the proper emphasis on education and reversing this trend, all of the other concerns of the city will fall in place.