Mayor's weekly blog
Friday, January 4, 2008 – Friday, January 11, 2008
I bring you greetings from the Mayor’s office. I hope you have
had a good week and can find some fun things to do this weekend
with your family.
Friday afternoon Daniel came for Luke and Jillian, so we didn’t
carry them back to Ryland. We decided to go to Ruby Tuesday’s
for dinner and asked the Whitt’s to go with us. There were a lot
of folks out eating tonight, and we had to wait about thirty
minutes to eat. We had conversations with several folks while we
were waiting. I ate grilled fish and vegetables for dinner,
keeping true to my efforts to get my diabetes under control. The
food was very good.
After dinner we rode around town for a while checking out what
is happening. There were a lot of cars parked in front of all
our new restaurants, and the Oasis on Washington was packed to
the rafters. I am glad to see these new eating places in town to
keep us here spending our tax money on ourselves. The movie
parking lot was also full. I have had many folks tell me that
they are so glad to have a movie house in Athens after so many
years. I feel this way, because my generation grew up going to
the Ritz and the Plaza. It is amazing that we now have these
activities in such a short time.
We checked out the new Mac’s Sports Bar and Grill on Durham
Drive. I recently spoke to the McAlister’s about their new
restaurant, and they are chomping at the gills to get the new
business underway. They had wanted to open in September, last
year, but it has taken a long time to get to where they are.
They will have a pit out back to cook ribs and barbecue for
customers, and Jess, their son, will do the cooking. They have
some paving to complete in the parking areas and around back.
We later went to the Whitt’s house and watched an old movie,
“The Horse Soldiers”. This is an old John Wayne movie, and
William Holden also starred in it. Mark and I enjoy watching the
old westerns, and we like the new ones if they remain true to
the traditional oaters.
Saturday morning I went to the Veteran’s Coffee Call at the
Veteran’s Museum. They had a large crowd there today, and
President Jerry Crabtree did a good job today. Vicki
Beddingfield and Ann Crutcher always serve the folks very well.
I hope that you will go out and visit the museum if you have
never been. This is a good opportunity for you to educate
yourself, your kids, and your grandkids about our military
history. It is also a great way to support our men and women who
have served us in the many wars through out our history. If you
will attend the next coffee, you will be surprised at the number
of old Vets that are there. Sam Gibbons, age 92, will be there
in the gift shop to entertain you. He is one of our Vets that
you need to meet.
Kay and I went to the Starving Artist sale at the Holiday Inn in
Decatur this morning. I have never seen so many folks snatching
up oil paintings and having them framed at one time. The most
expensive was $59 and the frame was $40. The costs were less for
smaller paintings. Most of the folks were not purchasing them
for the quality of the painting, but whether the colors in the
painting matched the drapes and bedspreads in the bedroom. We
purchased our based upon the fact that it had enough brown in it
to match the new drapes in Charles’ old bedroom. I do like the
painting. It is a Parisian street scene, and one of the
buildings has Moulin Rouge over the door. The Eiffel Tower can
be seen in the distance. I hung this over a Cherry bed and it
looks great.
Saturday afternoon and night was very quiet for us. I really
can’t remember much going on during this time except taking a
few naps.
Sunday morning I went to Sunday school without Kay. She wasn’t
feeling too well early, but she did come to the worship service.
Our Sunday school class was good and we had good attendance. The
worship was great and Brother Jenkins had a good sermon about
renewing our commitments and ministries to our Church.
The kids came to our house for lunch after Church. We grilled
salmon and it was turned out to be very good. Kay and the girls
prepared a salad and a couple of other items. I made a cucumber
salad with a sour cream and dill dressing. It was great, but I
need to find fresh dill to use rather than the dried. We haven’t
grilled much fish, but we love salmon, and I hope we will be
able to have it often.
Sunday night I attended a signing class at our Discipleship
class at First Baptist. I have watched the signers at Church
services perform this ministry for a long time, and I admire
them for doing this for our deaf members. I want to learn
something about it. They were surprised to see me at the class.
They taught me to sign, “Vote for me, please.” That was Bob
Trent’s idea of being funny. Shelia Knox, who is in my Sunday
school, is the teacher. Shelia teaches in the school system, and
deals with handicapped children.
I am amazed at how ignorant I am about deaf people. I just
always thought they went to school, learned to read and write,
and lived their life as we do, except they can’t hear. From what
I learned last night, it isn’t that easy. How does a person
learn to read when they cannot hear words sounded out? Due to
their handicap, most deaf- from- birth persons have a limited
vocabulary. How could a deaf person know all the words we read
in a novel? I also found that when a person is signing during
our worship services, they are not signing each individual word
of the songs or the sermon, but they condense it down to the
actual meaning or thought in the song.
My purpose in taking this class is to be able to communicate a
little with our deaf Church members. I was at the grocery store
recently and met a deaf lady who attends our Church. I always
stop and speak to anyone from Church, and when I met her face to
face in the aisle, I was embarrassed because I could not talk to
her. We did smile and wave at each other, but I wish I could
have signed a simple, pleasant conversation with her.
Monday morning I went to Limestone Chapel to see the Fred King
family. Fred is a member of our Church, and has been a great Dad
to his family. Fred’s wife passed away when their children were
very young, and he devoted himself to them to see that they were
raised like the other kids. I don’t know any man who has done
any better than Fred with his family. I know they will miss him
terribly, and they will never forget the love and care he has
provided to them. Fred’s passing is also a great loss to our
Church and community. Fred was a banker, and he has fought this
disease for several years.
I later went to McConnell’s to see the Lester Burgreen family.
Mr. Burgreen had a stroke 23 years ago and has been cared for by
his dear wife and his sons, Freddy and Dwight, and their
families. I don’t know any family that has been any more
faithful to care for their loved one than this family. I have
known Freddy and Dwight for most of our lives. Dwight and I
served together on the City Council for several years. I hope
all of you will keep these two families in your prayers.
Kay and I had lunch at home, and she is doing a good job in
having something good for me to eat that does not have a bad
effect upon my diabetic condition. She went to Huntsville to
exchange a Christmas gift after we had eaten.
Monday afternoon I visited with two Councilmen about City
business. I meet with Councilpersons quite often on matters of
importance to the City. People who serve on the Council need to
be kept up to date on things that are happening around town.
Kay, Dinah, and I ate supper at Cracker Barrel tonight. We sat
near Lionel and Joan Nave while we were eating. I haven’t seen
Lionel in some time and enjoyed talking with him. He and I
served in the National Guard together, and enjoyed that time
with a lot of good guys. He works with the Space Program, and
looks forward to retiring in a few years. Joan works for us at
our Utility Customer Service Office.
I watched a good bit of the LSU/Ohio State game tonight. I don’t
know why Ohio State wants to play any southern team after
Florida last year and LSU this year. Anyway, I’m glad LSU put it
on them. I just wish Auburn had not let LSU score that last
touchdown this year.
Tuesday morning I met with a local construction person who is
looking for work in this area. I also met with a group of folks
who are interested in looking for a way to get more retail sales
into our area. Increasing sales rather than taxes is the way we
want to increase revenue in our City. We feel that people are
more likely to shop locally if the sales tax they pay is lower
than other areas.
Tuesday evening our family ate dinner at Catfish Cabin with the
Whitt’s to celebrate Joy Whitt’s 29th birthday. Our son Daniel
and his family could not attend. Everyone else was there and we
enjoyed the food and fellowship. Phyllis had made a strawberry
cake, and Joy had great cookies for dessert.
The Cancer Survivors were having a dinner at the same time. We
talked with Vicki and Joe Curtis who were attending that
function. They were a rowdy bunch and were enjoying each others
company. One lady told me that they had all survived cancer, and
they were enjoying life. I am glad they are survivors, and I
don’t blame them a bit for enjoying a new lease on life. It
makes me feel ashamed for not being more thankful that I am in
good health, and have not had to fight for my life against a
powerful disease. My hat is off to these folks and their
families.
Wednesday morning I met with several folks at our closed
landfill to look a communications tower, and to consider if we
could move it and erect it at another location. This tower has
never been erected, and we are trying to determine if we can use
it at another location. We hope to come up with some way to make
use of this piece of equipment.
I met with several employees at our Leak City Facility this
afternoon to look at the technology we have in our City
Departments using the GIS system. I am amazed at the technology
we have with our computers, and I am also amazed at how adept
our employees are in using them on their jobs. I think it would
be impossible to do a lot of the things we now do if we did not
have them. Some time people think computers are a waste of
money, but I have been convinced otherwise. We cannot comprehend
the capabilities that are just around the corner in technology.
It is an exciting time in which we live.
I later met with two Councilmen and our City Attorney to discuss
a business proposal. We are beginning to get more proposals from
commercial interest. These proposals are very interesting, and
we have to determine if they are legal, and will be of benefit
to our City if they are adopted.
I went to Choir practice tonight. Everything went well, and
since it is a new year, we have a new seating arrangement and
handbook. We were also measured for new choir robes tonight.
Thursday morning I met with an attorney who is representing the
City in a lawsuit stemming from an accident. We were discussing
the situation and how the depositions will take place next week.
I have never enjoyed going through depositions. I have spent
countless hours in lawyer’s offices going over minute details of
a cast that happened years before, and it is not fun. I know it
is necessary, because some folks are trying to get into the
City’s pockets with frivolous lawsuits.
The storm came in strong this afternoon, and our local schools
had dismissed children early enough for no problems to occur at
our schools. We did have a major distribution line on Clinton
Street collapse during the storm, and a large number of
customers will be without power until the crews make the repair.
I saw them at work at the project around 3:45 p.m. I am not sure
of any other damage in our system, but violent weather always
brings about damages to the lines and poles. One of the large
Magnolia trees in the front yard of the Houston Library fell
during the storm. Another tree fell in Wick and Julia Scott’s
front yard at the corner of Market and Hines. A large tree in
the front yard of Dr. Millie Caudle, our City Councilperson,
fell against the front of her home. We went by to check on her
and found she was not at home when it occurred. There does not
seem to be structural damage to her house, but the experts will
have to determine what repairs will need to be made. We are
thankful she was away, and hope she doesn’t nave too much
damage.
Our Electric Department employees were out late tonight taking
care of damage, and getting customer power restored. Kay and I
stayed home tonight.
Friday morning I was busy at the office talking with citizens
who have concerns or complaints with the City, and also getting
ready for the Council meeting on Monday night. The meeting will
begin with a work session at 4:00 p.m. The regular meeting will
begin at 5:30 p.m. The Council will consider the following items
of business:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Billy Cannon, Cannon Family, Dick Chittam – 2030
Highway 72 West
REGULAR CALENDAR
A. Resolution to approve Travel Cash Advances for the Electric
Department
B. Resolution to approve the return of donated funds.
C. Resolution to approve an update of the Water Distribution
System Computer Model.
D. Resolution to approve the change of ownership for Bob’s
Quick Mart.
E. Resolution to approve the increase of mileage
Reimbursement.
F. Ordinance to approve a Limousine Service for Leula Parker.
G. Resolution to approve the purchase of playground
equipment for the Jimmy Gill Park.
H. Resolution to approve Roth-McHugh & Associates for grant
assistance for various projects.
I received a call from TVA this morning informing me that they
were making courtesy calls to local governments and Federal
Agencies regarding an overflow from a tank at Brownsferry
Nuclear Plant. The tests completed on the overflow showed no
radiation but did show traces of tritium which has some
radiation. Tritium is found naturally in the soil. They tested
ground water in the area and found no contamination. TVA said
they were not required to report this amount of overflow, but
they are reporting it anyway to let local people know the facts.
I am including the Chamber of Commerce’s schedule of events
taking place in our community in the near future. Take time and
enjoy some of these with your family:
January
4, 21, 27 at 11:00 AM - African American Film Festival at
Calhoun Community College, Library VIP Room, 256-306-2561
Present - 31 Jan at 9 AM - 8 PM - 3rd Annual Athens State
University Alumni Art Exhibit—INSPIRIT at Athens State
University Sandridge Student Center Art Gallery, Price: Free,
1-800-522-0272
15-Jan at 11:00 AM - 40 Years Later, “What Have You Done with
the Dream?” Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Calhoun
Community College, Aerospace Training Center, 256-306-2561
24-Jan at 10 AM - 1 PM - Stack the Deck in Our Favor at ASU
Ballroom, $10.00 per person hosted by American Red Cross,
256-232-6820
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
I’ve got to find a place for lunch today. Kay is having lunch at
Ruby Tuesday’s with Vonnette Harper and Susan Todd. Vonnette is
still improving from back surgery, and seems to be feeling
better.
I finally went to Jiffy’s, across from Athens High, and had a
Chef salad, diet Sun Drop, and a pack of cashews. It was a good
lunch, and lite, so I can get more dinner tonight.
I spent the remainder of the day doing paperwork in the office,
and I took time to drive through Country Club Sub Division for a
look around. I try to get to all our town’s neighborhoods
occasionally to see what is happening. Country Club is one of
the older sub-divisions in our city. The residents there have
done an excellent job of keeping their properties in good repair
and updated. The neighborhood is one of big yards and homes on
small, rolling hills. It is one of the prettiest in town, in my
opinion. The big trees help it to be a desirable place to live.
Most newer developments do not have nearly the amount of square
feet in a lot, so this place retains much of the elegance of
former years. I think anyone looking for a good, quiet
neighborhood should take a serious look at Country Club.
I guess this is enough for this time. Take care and I’ll see you
next time. mayordan
