Community leader moving on to next phase
“It’s just time.”
Noted Cleveland attorney, Kirkham Povall, is almost nonchalant when giving his reason for not seeking another term as a City Alderman for Ward 4, as well as backing off from the day-to-day of his thriving law practice. And yet, under that casual demeanor, a sense of wistfulness seems to hang in the air with the answer.
The 76 year-old Povall has been a prominent citizen of his adopted hometown of Cleveland since he first came to town as a newly-minted attorney after obtaining his Juris Doctorate from Ole Miss in the summer of 1973. Now, as he prepares to step down as Alderman on June 30 — after first being elected in 2009 and subsequently serving 4 terms — Povall said he’s ready for the next phase of his life.
“Honestly, I believe that someone younger needs to come in with their own fresh set of ideas for our city’s government,” said Povall of his decision not to seek another term. “Also, I’m trying to cut back on all of my professional activities. I’ve had a busy life and now want to focus on transitioning to a new phase and turn the page.”
The Lexington native — where his father once served as mayor — doesn’t use the term “retirement” for this next chapter, however.
“I’ll still be working in law, of course, though not as often,” said Povall of the practice (now known as Povall & Jeffreys) he started in 1991 when he went out on his own immediately following active duty deployment with the 155th Armored Brigade of the Mississippi Army National Guard during the Desert Storm operation. “And, I love being active in the community in as many ways as I possibly can, being heavily involved with the Delta Arts Alliance, among many other local groups.”
Service to his community has always been Povall’s modus operandi as it has for his wife of 55 years, Hilda Cope Povall, who he credits for most of his life’s success.
“Yes, Hilda is my true rock and support and I married way above my pay scale,” he said. “She has long been active in the community, giving selflessly of her time whenever called upon to do so over the years. Hilda has been involved in the historic preservation of downtown Cleveland, the restoration of the Ellis Theater and a number of other projects and I helped her with any of the necessary legal work as needed. But, truly, her encouragement over the years has been my own fuel to engage in the community, including my initial decision to run for a seat on the Board.”
Not only is his wife a person dedicated to service, Povall’s immediate family also has a long track record of selfless devotion to their communities and nation. His aforementioned father, Allie S. Povall — along with his brother and other relatives — have served in the military, with Povall himself holding several commissions in the U.S. Army Reserve. In 1995, he was selected by the Department of Army for promotion to Colonel in Judge Advocate Corps, U.S. Army Reserve. He continued his commissioned military service until retiring in 1998 after 27 total years of service.
As far as his contributions to the city he is so passionate about, Povall said the work he has done as Chairman of the Cleveland Municipal Airport Commission is a particular point of pride for him.
“I was appointed to that position when I first was elected alderman,” he said. “In 16 years, with tremendous leadership at the airport, we have done incredible work to make it a valuable gateway to our community. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished there and it has led to so much of Cleveland’s growth and improvement.”
He and Hilda are active communicants of Calvary Episcopal Church in Cleveland, where he has served as treasurer, a member of the parish vestry, senior warden and chairman of numerous capital campaigns. Faith has always been an important component of his life’s work, said Povall, and will continue to guide his actions in whatever lies ahead.
Povall’s total list of accolades and official appointments, as well as volunteer activities — on the local, state and national level — is long and voluminous; but he said he doesn’t focus on past work or “glories.” Instead, at this point in life, he wants to remain forward looking.
“I’ve been practicing law now for 52 years, always doing my utmost to represent my clients — whose trust in me I consider an honor and privilege — and have served my country and my community as best I could for all of my life. It’s simply time to continue working in new capacities and on other opportunities, just maybe now at my own pace,” summed up Povall. That pace will include more time spent with his 4 children and 12 grandchildren, he said.
“I’m not ‘leaving’ anything,” said Povall. “I’m simply moving on to a new phase and I’m looking forward to whatever may come. My commitment to Cleveland and my family will never change — as long as there’s a need, Hilda and I will try to help. Just not everyday,” he said.