My Commitment to Hoover: Responding to “Questions Raised” About My Nomination of Candidates for Awards from The Accountability and Transparency in Government PAC
By William Kadish
Recent coverage of my political contributions has unfortunately focused more on personal attacks than on the sincere work that I do for our city. As someone who has called Hoover home for seven years and invested deeply in this community, I believe voters deserve to hear the truth about my involvement in local politics and my commitment to this city’s future.
A Record of Community Investment
I love Hoover. Since the moment I moved here seven years ago, there was a strong feeling of connection to this community. Stadium Trace Village is now a legacy project for me that is deeply meaningful. I don’t typically talk about my charitable giving. I’ve never sought recognition for these contributions and only mention them now because of the unfair attacks on my character.
For the past three years, I have donated over $200,000 annually to local charities and causes. I’ve supported the Hoover City Schools Foundation, the Hoover YMCA, Hoover baseball and football programs, and have sponsored two local ballerinas whose families couldn’t afford training costs. When Pat Lynch, a true pillar of our community and cancer survivor, received a Man of the Year Award from UAB ROAR, I was honored to provide over $100,000 of support to recognize someone who has given so much to Hoover. I’ve consistently answered the call when asked to help our community, not for praise, but because it’s the right thing to do.
This isn’t political calculation. It’s genuine love for the place I’ve chosen to call home. Every day, I work to bring quality tenants to Hoover and develop projects across the country. In Hoover especially, I am always seeking new opportunities that will benefit residents and strengthen our community and local economy. My goal is that Hoover becomes the most successful city for our children and children’s children to come back to. To me, that is the measure of a great city.
Supporting Accountability and Transparency
My political contributions through both personal donations and the Accountability and Transparency in Government PAC have been guided by one principle: supporting candidates who stand for openness and responsible governance. The PAC has supported candidates across multiple Alabama cities who share these values. The candidates I have supported in Hoover (Robin Schultz, Ashley Lovell, Gene Smith, Steve Lawrence, and Steve McClinton) earned my backing because of their positions on key issues, not because they are likely winners.
Robin Schultz championed airing city council sessions on “The Hoover Channel” so residents could see their government in action, even when the existing administration edited and chose to hide portions of the city’s programming. Ashley Lovell courageously stood up for over 3,000 residents who opposed problematic apartment development deals proposed by Council President Lyda. These candidates are not incumbents and at the time were certainly not the favorites to win. They have gone above and beyond to demonstrate courage and determination. Robin has a very deep rudder and is exactly who the city needs at this time.
Accordingly, their principled stands deserved my support. If my goal were to use money to gain influence, I would not have supported candidates who were standing up to the current system that discards problems and pretends that all is wonderful while claiming all is fine and discounting residents’ legitimate concerns. Recognizing and supporting people who are willing to challenge the status quo and fight for awareness, accountability and transparency is not corruption. It’s positive and productive civic engagement.
Twenty-five years ago, I made serious mistakes during a two-week period when I abused opioids prescribed after surgery, which led to poor decisions involving gambling. I immediately self-reported my actions, cooperated fully with authorities, and took responsibility for my choices. I was sentenced to probation, paid full restitution, and began the long journey of recovery and redemption. The judge and prosecutor recommended relief from civil disabilities and victims testified for me.
In 2020, New York State passed a law providing a path to allow a judge to review records and evaluate applications and determine whether relief was warranted that they be sealed. I understand that relief is affirmed only 10% of the time. Nonetheless, my friend Pat Lynch encouraged me to apply. After reviewing my case and extensive documentation of my rehabilitation and community involvement to help other recovering people, a New York court granted my petition to seal those records. The judge noted my successful reintegration into society and found me to be a person of “good moral character.” This wasn’t automatic. It required proving nearly two decades of positive contributions and personal growth. I never knew I would be recognized or rewarded this way, but the judge reviewed all of my records thoroughly and believed that I should not be prejudiced in my business dealings going forward.
Last April, during a public city council meeting about Stadium Trace Phase 2, Council President John Lyda chose to ambush me by publicly revealing details from my sealed record without giving me any opportunity to respond or provide context. As one council member noted, “I think it is wrong to publicly humiliate somebody over a past deed for 20 years. To me that was not professional and unbecoming of an elected official.” The weaponization of a sealed record from over two decades ago, in a public forum designed to discuss community development, was deeply disappointing and showed a troubling disregard for due process and public policy of our justice system. After the election, this matter will be addressed with calmer minds and more independent and clear-minded arbiters.
I’ve been in recovery for over two decades, actively participating in programs that help others facing similar challenges. I’ve volunteered extensively, including two years at a detox hospital for the homeless. I was recognized for my studies in psychology and truly gave back as best I could to help others. I maintained steady employment and rebuilt my life through hard work and commitment to serving others. We all face temptation, however the person who committed those actions 25 years ago is not the person I am today.
Hoover faces important decisions about its future. We need responsible development that serves residents’ interests, transparent government that keeps citizens informed, and leadership that puts our community first. These are the issues that should drive our political discourse, not decades-old mistakes that I’ve long since addressed and atoned for.
My investments in Stadium Trace Village and other local projects represent millions of dollars committed to Hoover’s economic growth. I believe in this city’s potential, and I put my money where my mouth is. When political leaders try to obstruct responsible development or operate without transparency, I believe citizens have the right to support candidates who will stand up for better governance.
The personal attacks and attempts to relitigate my distant past are unfortunately typical of politics when entrenched interests feel threatened. Rather than engage in that kind of divisiveness, I prefer to focus on what we can accomplish together for Hoover’s future.
I’ve made mistakes in my life, owned them, and worked hard to make amends. I’ve spent decades proving my commitment to recovery and community service. Most importantly, I’ve demonstrated through consistent action that I care deeply about this city and its residents.
Hoover deserves leaders who will govern with transparency, make decisions based on what’s best for residents, and welcome input from all community stakeholders. That’s why I supported the candidates I did, and that’s why I’ll continue to be engaged in our local political process.
I encourage every Hoover resident to look past the personal attacks and focus on the real choice before us: Do we want more of the same closed-door decision making, with orchestrated schemes to pit neighbor against neighbor, or do we want leaders committed to accountability and transparency?
The answer should be clear. Hoover’s best days lie ahead, and I’m committed to being part of building that bright future together.
William Kadish is the President, Founder and CEO of Broad Metro, LLC, a commercial real estate development company focused on preserving and strengthening remarkable places. With 35 years of real estate experience, Kadish has conducted nationwide development, leasing and sales for retail and commercial operators across the country, with projects spanning Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. He has worked with recognized national companies including Wal-Mart, CVS, Kroger and Sherwin Williams. Kadish serves as Director of Commercial Real Estate Development and Disposition for Lawrence Kadish Real Estate, a New York-based firm, and as Director for Commercial Real Estate Development for Financial Professionals of New York, a 2,000-member professional organization. He is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University with a degree in Business Administration and received his Juris Doctorate from Shepard Broad Law School, and was recognized by Psi Chi National Honor Society for Masters in Psychology work at Adelphi University. He is actively involved in community charitable organizations and local economic development initiatives.