Weekly Letter – Monday, February 25, 2008 – Friday, February 29, 2008

 

I send Greetings to you from the Mayor’s office. I hope you have had a good week and that you are looking forward to a great weekend with your family. Maybe the weather will take a turn for the better. I sure hope everyone gets over the crud soon.

 

The City Council met Monday night for a regular and took action on the following items of business:

 

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

 

  1. Village Pizza – Sale of Alcohol – This is a pizza place which will operate in the old Cluxton building on the corner of Market and Jefferson Streets, on the Square.
  2. 2. Daniel and LaDonna Fuller- 11708 Pitts Bldv. - Request for Annexation and Zoning. This is located on Highway 31 South near Tanner Cross-Roads.
  3. Kelly Thomas 19046 Moyer’s Road – Request for Annexation and Zoning. This is located near the Tanner school area.
  4. Andy Beasley – Highway 31 North – Request for re-zoning. This may be a location for new apartments in the near future.

 

REGULAR CALENDAR:

 

  1. A.     Approved a joint agreement with the County Commission related to the new Health Department at Highway 31 South..
  2. B.     Approved paving Highway 31 South and Office Park Road. This will be the new entrance into the Health Department, and will also open up lots that the City and County will be able to sell as commercial property.
  3. C.     Set a public hearing for the rezoning of property located on the north side of Highway 72 for John Furline.
  4. D.     Amended the business license Ordinance to re-classify four types of small businesses. This will allow grass cutters, janitorial services, and carpet and upholstery cleaners to not purchase liability insurance. There will be other small businesses that will be subject to this exemption. We had a request from a roofer to exempt his business from the insurance requirement, but we are not recommending that to the Council.
  5. E.      Tabled a Resolution to reorganize the Police Department. This will be taken up at a later date and involves adding personnel to the Department
  6. F.      Approved a Resolution to adopt revised retiree insurance policy. This will allow retired employees to keep their health insurance even if they go to work for another company after retirement. However, once the employee gives up his insurance, he may not get it back.
  7. G.     Approved a Resolution to approve projects from the Water Department Capital Infrastructure fund. The total cost for these projects is $372,000 and includes the following streets:

Hastings Road

Line Road

Village Lane

Highway 72 East, from Pike Road

Highway 72 East to Pike Road

Nick Davis/Oakdale Road intersection

North Lindsey Lane/Compton Road intersection

Entrance to Canebrake

 

 

  1. H.     Approved a Resolution to approve a lease agreement with the Athens Limestone Community Association, Inc. regarding Trinity School property. This will add about two and one-half acres to the Lincoln/Bridgeforth Park.
  2. I.        Approved a limousine service for James Lindsey.
  3. J.       Approved a Resolution to execute a water purchase agreement with Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority. We have sold water to the Authority for many years and it is time for this contract to be renewed.
  4. K.    Approved a Resolution to execute a contract for construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Plant. This project will total about $25 million when it is completed. This will be the largest project in the City’s history.
  5. L.      Approved a Resolution to lease Electric Department vehicle to Limestone County Economic Development Association.
  6. M.   Approved a Resolution to approve the purchase of two bucket trucks for the Electric Department.

 

I went to the Polk Sallet practice after the Council meeting to practice one of the acts I am a part of, and we had a good practice for one-half hour. The opening number for this year is the Music Man theme. I think everyone will really enjoy it. We have put in a lot of work on the program this year.

 

Tuesday morning I was busy at the office getting information for several folks who had requested information from the Mayor’s office.

 

At 10:00, I went to WKAC for the regular radio show that I have after every Council meeting. We had good conversation today about our Council meeting, and we discussed the annexation bill that we are trying to have passed in the Legislature.

 

I spent the afternoon in the office taking care of city business, and I had several conversations with citizens and Department Heads.

 

The Chamber of Commerce had a tour of Electrifill, an industry located in Elkmont this morning, and I understand it was successful. Hugh Ball and a large group toured this industry that makes many small parts to be used in the automotive industry. This is a good business for us to have in our county.

 

I went to the Sheriff’s Rodeo grounds tonight at 7:00 to attend the reception for Miss Rodeo USA, Kristen Scott, who resides in Anderson. David Seibert and I gave her certificates of congratulations for bringing this title home to Alabama from Oklahoma City. There were around 100 folks attending the event.

 

Leslie Burgreen, a former winner of this title, was present to welcome everyone. She coached Kristen for several weeks before she participated in the contest. I got to visit with my good friend, Jerry Barksdale, for a good while tonight. I don’t get to see Jerry too often, so meeting him here tonight was a great surprise. Jerry and I go way back as good friends, and I always enjoy his company. Jerry does a great column in the News Courier on Sundays that is always filled with humor.

 

 

Wednesday morning I had a lot to do in the office. I also visited Mrs. Mildred Harris to talk with her about her interest in the Trinity project that the Council discussed on Monday night.

 

I went to choir practice tonight and we had a good practice with the songs we will be singing for our revival next week, and our Easter Services.

 

Thursday morning I attended the Board meeting of the Chamber of Commerce. Mary Nell Clem directed the meeting, and we covered a great amount of Chamber business.

 

Kay and I went to Mooresville and had lunch at the Limestone Bay restaurant. Jeri McClain, the Mayor, invited us to come for lunch with her other guests. Mac and Shirley McCreary, and Jerry and Kathryn Davis were also there for lunch. Kay and I enjoyed the lunch, and we enjoyed the fellowship and conversation with everyone attending. I had the hamburger steak with the black-eyed pea dressing. It was so good. They are considering entering this dressing in a national cornbread cook-off contest soon. I told them I would testify for it if they needed me to do so.

 

At 1:00 p.m. we went to the new Archery Range at the park behind Athens High School for the grand opening. Jeannette Dunnavant, Tourism Director for our Chamber, was emcee for the event. She introduced everyone and several made remarks. The range was opened with a ribbon cutting, and all of us lined up and fired the first arrows at the new targets. I did hit my target in the red and the yellow on my two shots. This was a great event. Those attending included: Corky Pugh, Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Jay McAninch, Archery Trade Association chief Executive Officer and President, Brian Jones, Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, Dr. Orman Bridges and Dr. Barry Carroll, our two Superintendents of Education, and several school children from our schools. The announcement was made that our systems have agreed to put archery into our kids P.E. programs.

 

I spent the afternoon at the office doing some necessary work.

 

This afternoon I attended the retirement party of one of our long-time fire personnel, John Abernathy. John has been a fireman for 25 years and was a Captain at the time of his retirement. John’s wife, Lynn, made all the arrangements for the party, and she did an outstanding job. She had invited family members and John’s fellow firefighters, and a large number came out for the event.

 

John’s Mama, sister, brother, aunt and uncle, and his children, were present for the occasion. He received a retirement plaque from the Department, and a Certificate of Retirement from the City of Athens. He received some nice gifts from the firemen. I know there were some funny storied told about John, and there probably a lot of truth to them. John has been a good employee, and is young enough to pursue another career. I thought it was ironic that he was involved in the call to the scene this morning where a man died when his vehicle ran off the road and crashed into a house. That was always a part of his job, and he did his job even on the last day of employment. We all wish John, Lynn, and their family many good years of retirement.

 

I went to an extra choir practice tonight. We are getting ready to do the music for our revival which begins this Sunday. We are also doing practice for our Easter music, and our spring program. We have some good gospel music that really rocks. I know our listeners will enjoy hearing a lot of good gospel. My voice began to go out during the rehearsal, and I hope I am not coming down with the crud that is bothering everyone else in town at this time.

 

Friday morning I did not feel the best I ever felt, but I was able to get going. I spent time doing correspondence and answering calls to several people.

 

Kay had to go to the eye doctor today to have him check about dark spots she has been seeing the past three days. We were concerned because of the hard lick she had to her head when she fell three weeks ago. He checked her eyes thoroughly found no tears or injuries. He thinks it is just the shadows of objects deep in her eyeball. He will check her again in two weeks because he said tears to the retina may occur at any time. At this time he feels there is nothing about which she should be concerned.

 

I am including the Chamber of Commerce calendar of events for you to find something for you and your family to do this weekend, and in the next few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

29 Feb at 7:00 PM – Singles Leap Year Dance & Show at Athens Opry, 24861 Airport Road, Athens, AL, $10.00 admission, 256-466-7662 or 256-206-0211

 

29-Feb at 1st show at 6:30-8:00 PM and 2nd show is 8:30-10:00 PM, The Red Caboose Writers Night featuring songwriters Phillip White, Amber White and Kevin Denny at The Red Caboose, 25483 Railroad St, Elkmont, AL (across the street from the train depot).  Reservations required by calling 256-306-6201

 

29-Feb at 7:00 PM - 17th Annual Gospel Fest at Calhoun Community College, Aerospace Training Center, 256-306-2561

 

March                                                                                                                                         

1-Mar at 6-11:00 AM - Band of Brothers Pancake Breakfast at Friendship United Methodist Church, $5.00 adults, under 8 $3, 256-544-6310 or 278-8310

 

1-Mar - Dinner at P AM Show at 7 AM - Dinner Show featuring The Flashbacks Classic Showband at Yesterdays Event Center, Athens, AL, www.yesterdaysevents.com

 

6-Mar at 9 AM - 2:45 PM - Third Biennial A-TEAM (Advancing Technology Education Awareness Calhoun Community College, Decatur Campus, tmh@calhoun.edu

 

6-8 Mar - 7:00 PM - Poke Sallet Revival at Athens Senior Citizens, Athens, AL - Tickets on Sale Now, 256-233-6412

 

7-8 Mar at 6:00 PM - 3rd Annual Red Carpet Affair Beauty Walk at Elkmont High School, Keila Berzett 423-3972 / 423-5754 or Debbie Evans 732-4625

 

8-Mar - 7:00 PM - Tribute to the Famous Grand Ole Opry featuring Huston Terry, Milton Woolridge, Lacey Snider, Early Walton Band and more at Athens Opry, 24861 Airport Road, Athens, AL, $10.00 admission, 256-206-0211 or 216-1151 or gwh228@aol.com

 

13-Mar - Ardmore Boys and Girls Club Annual Dinner at First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Ardmore, AL, 256-423-8570

 

13-Mar at 7:00 PM - Critically-acclaimed pianist Robert Cowan Concert at Athens State University, Athens, AL, McCandless Hall, 256-233-8126

 

15-Mar at 10-12 AM and 1:30-4:00 PM - Understanding the Horse K-I-N Stables and Arenas {Indoor Arena}, K-1-N Stables and Arena, Carter Road, Athens, AL, FREE, http://athensplus.com/kinstables.htm, 256-874-6781

 

15-Mar at 7-10:00 AM - Ardmore Veterans Organization Pancake Breakfast at Ardmore, TN Annex Building, Main Street Ardmore, Tickets are $5.00 each, children under 12 Free, 256-423-7588

 

29-Mar, Dinner at 6PM, Show at 7PM - Yesterdays Showband Featuring Kevin Adams at Yesterdays Event Center, Athens, AL                          www.yesterdaysevents.com,

 

29-Mar - CASA Roast - Rev. Dusty McLemore at Athens Senior Center, Athens, AL Tickets $30.00 each, 256-232-5751

 

 

 

 

Weekly:

 

Pickin’ & Grinnin’ at Ardmore every Thursday night at 6:30 PM at the Ardmore TN Annex Building, 256-423-7588

 

Pickin’ & Grinnin’ at Elkmont every Monday night at 6:30 PM at the Elkmont Depot, 931-427-6296

 

1st Friday Night of Each Month at 6-8 PM - Athens Cruz Inn Downtown Athens, AL, 256-603-1227 or 230-6048

 

I guess this is enough for this time. Take care and I’ll see you next time.    mayordan