Roderick Burkle was sworn in Monday, Oct. 6, as Foley’s new District 3 representative, filling the unexpired term left vacant by the late Richard Dayton.

Burkle was the only candidate to qualify for the District 3 seat in the 2025 municipal election. The Foley City Council voted to appoint him to complete Dayton’s term, which ends next month. Dayton died Aug. 21.

All newly elected officials from Foley’s August municipal election will take office when the new term begins Nov. 3. They include Burkle, who will continue serving District 3, along with Tim Lower in District 2 and Larry Engel in District 4.

Two current council members, Wayne Trawick in District 1 and Charles Ebert III in District 5, were re-elected and will begin new terms next month. Mayor Ralph Hellmich, who ran unopposed, will also start a new term.

A lifelong Foley resident, Burkle brings decades of civic and professional experience to the council. Before returning home to work for Gulf Telephone, he built a career in telecom engineering. He served 25 years with the Foley Volunteer Fire Department as both a firefighter and officer, spent eight years on the Foley Planning Commission, and remains active on four city boards and the Foley Public Facilities Cooperative Improvement District.

In addition to his civic service, Burkle earned his Alabama Real Estate License in 2016 and obtained his Alabama Broker’s License in 2024.

Burkle’s appointment ensures District 3 continues to have representation leading up to the start of the new term in November, when Foley’s leadership will officially take the helm for the next four years.