Mayor's weekly blog
Friday, February 15, 2008 – Friday, February 22, 2008
Greetings from the Mayor’s office. I hope you and your family
had a good weekend doing a lot of fun things. Our weekend was
busy with the Chili Challenge and getting ready for it. I hope
you got to attend. If you didn’t, I think you were one of the
few in town who wasn’t there on Saturday.
Saturday morning, February 15, all of our family was busy
getting Whitney’s house ready for the brunch celebrating Della’s
wedding. Everyone was cooking and decorating for this brunch
that turned out to be a lingerie party. I can’t tell you on this
family letter how they had the house decorated, but it was very
risqué’.
Sunday morning I attended Sunday School., but Kay wasn’t able to
get up and going. Our class was very good today because Larry
Hicks is teaching about tithing. This always brings about a good
bit of discussion.
I went home and carried Kay to Whitney’s house for lunch. We had
some of the food that had been made for the brunch yesterday.
They had an extra egg casserole and grit dish that was
excellent. I also prepared raw cauliflower, broccoli, snow peas,
and peppers with an onion dip to go along with the brunch food.
We had a quiet afternoon and evening, and watched TV for a good
while.
Monday morning I carried Kay to the Wellness Center for her
appointment with Dr Carnell. He cut off the cast and brace on
her arm, and it didn’t look too bad. There is an incision about
four inches long on the underside of her left arm. He x-rayed it
and said everything looked just like he wanted, and she is on
the road to recovery. He gave her another brace to use when she
is out of the house and in bed. It will give added protection,
but she can go without it in the house. We also registered her
at the Wellness Center to begin her therapy tomorrow morning.
Monday night I went to Polk Sallet practice, and we did about 45
minutes practice on one of the skits. Judge Mansell, Sheriff
Blakely, and I are in this one together. It is called
Double-Wide in the Sky.
Tuesday morning I attended the Chamber of Commerce Coffee at the
Utility building. It was sponsored by the Limestone County
Economic Development Association. There was a good crowd in
attendance, and we had several new Chamber members to attend for
their first time. Mary Nell Clem, our Director, did a great job
running this meeting. They had a good report from the membership
drive that she and Dr. Betts co-chaired.
The City Council and the Limestone County Commission met in a
joint session this morning at 10:00 at the Courthouse Annex
building. The purpose of this session was for each body to pass
a resolution of support for the Annexation bill we have to be
introduced in the State Legislature. The Commission and the City
Council passed resolutions of support for this legislation.
There were two or three speakers present to speak against the
resolutions of support. The speaker who did most of the speaking
was Don Spencer, a Limestone County citizen, who has had his
property annexed into the city of Madison. If I am not mistaken,
his family has strong ties with the city of Madison. Don Spencer
Sr. ran for Mayor of Madison against the current Mayor, Sandy
Kirkendall. I think he also served on the Madison school board.
I do not have any problem with citizens speaking against
anything we do, but I also think we have the same right to speak
for anything we wish to have.
Kay went for her therapy this morning and is well pleased with
the young lady who is guiding her to regain full use of her left
arm. She put her through the workouts, but did not go too long
and make her arm more painful than it is.
After her therapy session, she went to lunch with Mary Byrd,
Marion Morgan, and Vonnette Harper. They are all friends from
First Baptist and Kay enjoyed the outing. Mary and Morgan sing
in the Church Choir with me and they both do great things for
our choir.
I left Athens at 2:00 this afternoon to drive to Montgomery. I
will be attending a meeting with several local officials
Wednesday morning at 9:00 regarding the hospital situation that
exists between Athens, Huntsville, and Madison. This will take
up a good portion of the day.
I will stay over on Wednesday night in order to meet with our
local legislators on Thursday morning regarding the annexation
bill. David Seibert and the County Commission will be coming
down for this meeting, as will the City Council, Circuit Court
Clerk Charles Page, Sheriff Blakely, Probate Judge Mike Davis,
and EMA Director, Spencer Black.
I arrived in Montgomery at 4:30 P.M. I could see some of the
destruction that occurred in Pratville on Sunday afternoon as I
passed by on the interstate. The buildings behind the Hunter
Church of Christ, which sits on the right at the Pratville
intersection, were totally destroyed. I did not realize the fact
that 150 houses were totally destroyed, and around 1000 houses
and buildings received damage. There are a lot of people who
have come into Prattville to assist with the clean-up. It was a
miracle that lives were not lost in this storm. There were
several injuries, but thank God, no one was killed. I sympathize
with my friend, Mayor Jim Byard and the community, but I have
every confidence that they are on the move back to normal.
I had dinner at the hotel tonight. I always hate to eat alone in
a big restaurant. I also hate to have to spend too much time
away from home when there is no one that I know with me.
I spent the remainder of the evening responding to e-mails and
catching up on correspondence.
Wednesday morning I ate breakfast in the hotel. I saw Senator
Tom Butler and had a conversation with him about our annexation
bill that is to be introduced. I also had conversations with
Sally Warden, former Councilperson from Madison, who is now a
board member of Huntsville Hospital. I have known Sally for
several years and she is a great person. She has a great
interest in her community and she wants our community to prosper
as well as hers.
I also had an interesting conversation with Jerry Jennings, a
Madison City Councilman who is running against Mayor Sandy
Kirkendall. Mayor Kirkendall came by and spoke to us but didn’t
tarry. They were down for the same issue that I am. The meeting
for the Certificate of Needs Board was this morning at 10:00 at
the RSA Union Building. The Board had many items of business to
cover, including the proposed hospital to be built in Madison.
When they came to this item, two members recused themselves from
considering the question, and that left the Board without a
quorum to do business. One member of the board is a doctor who
was at the time performing a double-lung/heart transplant
operation. He, of course, was not able to be there, but there
was other absences which I think may have been on purpose. The
meeting will be scheduled during March, and we will all have to
come back down for another round of State politics. I am very
concerned about the hoops we have to jump through to do things
at the State level.
I went to lunch with Mike Cole, Jim Moffett, Cary Payne, and
David Seibert. We ate at the Nancy Patterson Restaurant in South
Montgomery. We discussed the situation with our community and
the hospital situation. This is very important to all of us, and
the fight is to see who will build the hospital in Madison. We
are allied with Huntsville Hospital and feel it will be safer
for us if they build the not for profit hospital there. Madison
wants a for-profit hospital, and we feel that is not in our best
interest.
David Seibert, Mike Cole, and I came back downtown and visited
with Tom Butler in his Senate office for one and one-half hours.
We discussed the annexation bill in detail, and it is obvious to
me that Tom is trying to get this bill passed in order for
Limestone County citizens to vote on the matter. The problem is
with the other elected officials outside Limestone County.
I had a lot of free time this afternoon, so I took a long walk
around the Capitol area. This is a good place to walk. You have
Capital Hill to work you out as you climb up in elevation. I
walked from the Embassy Suite Hotel to the back side of the
Capitol building, came through the building, down the front
steps, and back down Dexter Avenue to Court Square, and over to
the Embassy. This has to be about two miles. I have got to get
to doing more walking for my exercise program. I was ready for a
nap when I finished with the walk.
I went tonight and had dinner with David Seibert, Mike Cole,
Bill Daws, Bill Latimer, and Gary Daly. Gerald Barksdale, the
other County Commissioner could not come to the meeting we are
having tomorrow with our elected representatives, because of a
doctor’s appointment. We had a good dinner and a lot of good
conversation. We also saw
Waymon Pace, Manager of the Huntsville TVA office at the Outback
where we ate. He is down for legislation regarding TVA.
I went back to the hotel and worked to answer e-mail and
correspondence.
Thursday morning I had breakfast with Senator Tom Butler at the
hotel. We discussed the information that David Seibert, Mike
Cole, and I would be giving Senator Author Orr when we meet with
him at 8:30 this morning.
We went to Senator Orr’s office for our meeting, and had
opportunity to talk with him for close to one hour. Senator Orr
represents Morgan County, part of Madison County, and a small
part of Limestone County. He is getting a lot of pressure from
Madison and Morgan county folks about the bill we are asking him
to support. I understand his concern about it, but I think
everyone representing Morgan County need to realize that
Huntsville is not doing them any favors in their efforts to
annex more of Limestone County.
Later we went to Rep. Henry White’s office to visit with him and
talk about the meeting at 11:00 with the other four legislators
and our group of folks from Limestone County.
We later met with Senator Butler and Representatives Mack
McCutcheon, Henry White, and Mickey Hammons, in a meeting room
in the Legislative building. Those attending the meeting
included: Probate Judge Mike Davis, Sheriff Mike Blakely,
Circuit Court Clerk Charles Page, Emergency Management Director,
Spencer Black, Councilpersons Gill, Marks, Wales, and Caudle,
County Commissioners Latimer, Dawes, and Daly.
David Seibert and I started the meeting by listing reasons why
we needed the annexation bill passed for Limestone County.
Everyone of our folks attending had opportunity to say what they
wished to our representatives. It was a very frank conversation
with them, but the meeting was cordial, and everyone understands
where everyone else is coming from on this matter.
After the meeting we hung around for a while talking, then the
Council and I had lunch at the old Farmers Market Café before
coming back to Athens.
I arrived in town around 4:30, went home and unpacked things.
Kay and I went to Madison to attend the monthly meeting of the
North Alabama Mayor’s Association. We did not have as good
attendance as usual tonight, and most of that is because a lot
of folks are at the basketball tournaments at Wallace State in
Hanceville.
Our program was presented by the Alabama Industrial Training
Program personnel. The two representatives gave a good
presentation of how this program can help communities with their
local industries in expansions, and to recruit new industries
into our areas.
Friday morning I worked hard in the office trying to catch up on
things that need attention.
I took off at noon, went home, and began to cook chili for the
Chili Challenge that will be held tomorrow. I finished cooking
around 6:30 p.m., and it took a while for me to clean up the
kitchen, and myself.
Kay and I went to Clark’s for supper with Phyllis and Mark
Whitt. Their granddaughter, Stella, went with us, and she
behaved perfectly. She ate an entire cup of yogurt and her
puff-puffs. That girl was hungry. I don’t remember if I told
you, but Stella fell off her bed recently and received a small
fracture. She spent night or two in the local hospital, but
seems to be doing well.
Saturday morning I was out early to set up at the High School
for the Challenge. I should have read my letter of instructions
from the Hospice Organization in order to save myself a lot of
trouble. I didn’t bring my own table and didn’t know that since
I had a corner booth, I was supposed to do so. I also should
have known I could no longer use my old camp stove because the
Fire Marshall no longer allows open flames at the Challenge. I
had to devise ways to heat up my chili, and I have to give
credit to Edna Hicks, my old friend from working together at DHR
years ago, and the other lunch-room workers, for heating up my
chili. They took care of me and everyone else that needed a
favor.
I believe this was the largest crowd we have had for the
Challenge. It seemed as if everyone in Athens was there. We
didn’t win but we had a big time seeing everyone. Kay and our
granddaughter, Alex, came and helped me dish out the chili. Our
son Daniel also came by with his kids and helped out for a
while.
I appreciate everyone coming out and supporting the Hospice in
the Challenge. This organization does excellent work for many
families who are in desperate need of assistance with their
loved ones. My family received their assistance during the
illness and death of my Daddy and Mama, and we couldn’t have
been more pleased. They cannot do everything for you, but they
can surely relieve families for a while when they really need
it. I hope you will consider supporting them year around, and
not just at the Chili Challenge.
I got through and washed up around 3:00. I got everything back
to where it belonged, went home and crashed. I felt like I had
been picking cotton for a week. I may be getting too old for
this much physical labor. I need to find some young folks to
help out next year.
Sunday morning Kay and I attended Sunday School and Church. We
had fifty-one present for our class, and our worship service was
well attended. I sang with the Choir, and we did well. We sang
one of the songs we plan to sing at the Choir Worshipfeste at
Decatur First Baptist tonight.
Charles brought Whitt’s barbecue, one of our family’s favorite
foods, to the house after Church. Whitney and her family came
and ate with us. We enjoyed the fellowship of our family.
Daniel’s kids had spent the night with Whitney’s kids, and they
were with us. Whitney and Dinah carried them back home after
lunch.
I went to Polk Sallet practice this afternoon, and we practiced
the opening number for about an hour. This will be one of the
best we have had, so I hope you have purchased your tickets for
the show.
Kay and I went to First Baptist in Decatur tonight for the Choir
Festival. There were about ten choirs from Decatur, Hartselle,
Muscle Shoals, and Athens. Every choir did very well and we all
enjoyed getting to hear choirs from fellow churches sing their
best. We sang an arrangement of “When I Survey the Wondrous
Cross”, and “The Highest Place”. I don’t know when we have sung
any better than we did tonight. I wish all of you could have
been there to hear this program.
After the program we came back and ate supper at Applebee’s with
our kids. I had their little appetizer pizza, and it was very
good.
Monday morning was busy getting ready for the Council meeting
tonight. The Council will meet at the new Police Auditorium at
4:30 for their work session, and at 5:30 for the regular
meeting. The items of business to be considered are:
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Village Pizza – Sale of Alcohol
2. 2. Daniel and LaDonna Fuller- 11708 Pitts Bldv.- Request for
Annexation and Zoning
3. Kelly Thomas 19046 Meyers Road – Request for Annexation and
Zoning
4. Andy Beasley – Highway 31 North – Request for re-zoning
REGULAR CALENDAR:
A. Approve a joint agreement with the County Commission to pave
Highway 31 South at new Health Department.
B. Approve paving Highway 31 South and Office Park Road.
C. Set a public hearing for the rezoning of property located on
the north side of Highway 72 for John Furline.
D. Amend business license Ordinance to re-classify four types of
small businesses.
E. Resolution to reorganize the Police Department.
F. Resolution to adopt revised retiree insurance policy.
G. Resolution to approve projects from the Water Department
Capital Infrastructure fund.
H. Resolution to approve a lease agreement with the Athens
Limestone Community Association, Inc. regarding Trinity School
property.
I. Approve a limousine service for James Lindsey.
J. Resolution to execute a water purchase agreement with
Limestone County Water and Sewer Authority.
K. Resolution to execute a contract for construction of a new
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
L. Resolution to lease Electric Department vehicle to Limestone
County Economic Development Association.
M. Resolution to approve the purchase of two bucket trucks for
the Electric Department.
Here are some events that will be coming up in our community
during the next few days:
27 at 11:00 AM - African American Film Festival at Calhoun
Community College, Library VIP Room, 256-306-2561
27-Feb at noon - Lenten multi-denominational devotions, followed
by lunch at Saint Timothy's Episcopal Church, 207 East
Washington Street, Athens, donations will be accepted for
Limestone County Churches Involved, 256-232-3541
29-Feb at 7:00 PM - 17th Annual Gospel Fest at Calhoun Community
College, Aerospace Training Center, 256-306-2561
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
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 letter. Take care and I’ll see
you next time. mayordan
