Mayor's weekly blog
April 5, 2008 – April 11, 2008
I send you greetings from the Mayor’s office, and hope that you
and your family have had a good week. It looks as if the weather
is going to turn a bit bad for the weekend, so let us all pray
that we may be spared from destructive storms that have hit
other areas of the nation. If you have not done so already this
tornado season, you need to go over the rules of safety with
your family. You also need to insure that you have the
recommended items needed to survive a few days in the event you
are placed in such a position.
Saturday morning I attended the Monthly Veteran’s Coffee Call at
the Limestone Veteran’s Museum. The crowd may have been down a
little, but not too much. I saw most of the old regulars there
today, but there were also a few folks that I have not seen
there before today. I hope the word is getting out about our
Museum and its support for our veterans and their families. We
need more of you to come out and support us.
Kay and I later carried a chair we had purchased back to the
shop because one of the holes was not aligned properly with an
opposing piece, and could not be lined up to work. The store
said they could fix it, but could not, and ordered us a new
chair. I did happen to look at the tag on the chair and found
that it was made in China. I guess this was another example of
defective goods being imported into America at a cost lower than
our companies can produce them.
We ate a Chinese lunch today that was very good. I told Kay that
the goods imported from China should be as good as the local
Chinese food that is available to us in our area.
We got all the makings for a hamburger cook out tonight because
the weather was nice, and we wanted to get all the kids together
if we could. Our son Daniel and his family could not come
because of baseball activity and painting their bedrooms, so we
called the Whitt’s to come and eat with us. I grilled the
hamburgers, Whitney and Dinah brought in pies for desserts, and
Charles’ friend, Kelly, brought a dessert.
We had a great meal and enjoyed the fellowship of our dear
friends.
Sunday morning I attended Sunday school and Church. Kay did not
get to Sunday school, but she and Dinah made it to Church.
Brother Edwin had a great sermon, and our Choir sang very well.
Tammy and Dale Haymon’s son performed a child’s part solo on one
of our songs, and he did a great job. This young man has a
beautiful voice and did not seem nervous at all as he sang
before several hundred people in the congregation. I think his
Mom was much more nervous than he seemed to be.
All the kids came for lunch today. We had chicken and rice and
the trimmings. We had plenty of dessert remaining from last
night’s dinner.
Monday morning I met with two Department Heads to try to find
solutions to some of our employment problems. We are
experiencing difficulties in some areas because cities in the
area are paying higher salaries for certain positions which
require employees to be certified. Certification usually takes a
good bit of time and effort, and it is discouraging to have
employees leave for other positions, but we cannot expect to
maintain our merit system for the long run unless we become more
competitive salary-wise with these positions.
Monday night Kay and I ate dinner at the Methodist Church
Beasley Family Life Center. The KALB organization was
fundraising for the Dogwood Festival. If you have never eaten
Swamp Johns catfish, you need to do so at your next opportunity.
They also have chicken and shrimp for those who do not like
catfish. Lynn Hart and her staff from KALB were working this
event and did a great job. We sat at the table with Kenneth and
Ann Lewter, Marvin Neal and Peggy Todd, and Bob and B.J. Floyd.
The Floyd’s are friends of Kenneth and Ann. They live near the
Lewter’s Elk River home.
Later we carried ferns to the new home of our family’s friend,
Jessica Brock. She has recently purchased a new home near
Hartselle. It is a beautiful home, and we enjoyed visiting with
Jessica. She and our daughter Dinah are the best of friends
since childhood. The even roomed together at UNA for a while.
Tuesday morning and afternoon my time was spent in the office
taking care of business. There is always a lot to do. I have
many telephone calls and e-mails to respond to, and people come
into the office quite often to see me about some issue.
I went to lunch today with Evan Thornton, John McClain, Jarrod
Hester, and Brent Meadows. We decided to go to Sarge’s Shack
near Pulaski, and we enjoyed the lunch. I noticed that they no
longer have the peanuts available on the tables. I guess they
got tired of sweeping up all the peanut hulls that customers
throw on the floor.
Wednesday morning I took off for the day and spent some time
doing a lot of things around the house that needed attention.
Kay and I purchased a new tree for our front yard to replace the
one that died last summer. I got an Autumn Blaze Maple tree that
does not develop the roots that run on top of the ground. Its
leaves turn a brilliant red in the Fall.
We pulled the tall clover out of our flower beds that I have
sprayed three times this spring with a post emergence weed
killer, and all it has done is make it grow. This was hard work
for and old man like me.
Kay picked up our grandchildren at school this afternoon, and we
all went to Ryland to see Daniel and his family. They all seemed
to be doing well, and Jillian and Luke were thrilled to see
their cousins. We went to the Coyote Mexican Restaurant in
Gurley for dinner tonight, then went back to Daniel’s house to
view all the pictures Kara had made at Della’s wedding a couple
of weeks ago. I must say that Kara does excellent with a camera.
Kay suggested that she should be doing this for a living, and I
agree. We have the best daughter-in-law in the world.
Thursday morning I received the news that Linda Smith Shields,
wife of Buddy Shields, had passed away early yesterday morning.
Linda had been diagnosed with cancer recently, and suddenly
suffered a stroke. She was not ill for a long time, and the news
of her death was shocking to many of us.
Linda was a friend of mine and we have known each other all our
lives. Her Dad and mine grew up together in the Forks of the
River, and our families have been friends for more than one
hundred years. Linda’s brother, Ross Smith and I roomed together
at Auburn for a while. This is a good family who has suffered a
great deal of sorrow in recent month due to the deaths of their
Mama, sister Mot, and now Linda. I suppose everyone knows Linda
and Buddy’s daughter, Lisa, and if you don’t, you will at some
point in time. Lisa attends the Birdie Thornton School and has
been involved in everything that occurs in our community, thanks
to Linda, Buddy, and her brother Jerry. They have made sure that
Lisa enjoyed a good life, and they will continue to do so. Linda
has a large family, and her much larger group of dear friends
will certainly miss her. Linda was a good girl, and we all loved
her. Please pray for her family, especially for Lisa, that our
Savior will give peace and understanding to her in the loss of
her dear Mama.
We also received news that Larry and Leonette Elkins son Neal is
entering the Huntsville hospital to be treated for Leukemia.
Larry is our Superintendent of Streets and works for us in the
Public Works Department. I want to ask all of you to put Neal on
your personal prayer list, and also on you Church and Sunday
school prayer list. Neal is a fine young man who has a tough
fight ahead. He has a good family and a good Church family to
support him during this time. I would personally appreciate
anything you will do for this fine family. All of us consider
Larry to be a close friend and member of our City family, and
whatever affects him affects us all.
Kay and her Sunday school ladies met this morning at Etna and
Willard Sherrod’s home to have a prayer meeting for Carolyn
Stair who is having surgery tomorrow morning for breast cancer.
Carolyn has many friends and they all are pulling for her. We
have heard that her examinations revealed that the cancer is in
the early stages, and probably will be successfully treated.
Kay also went to the dentist this morning expecting to have a
Wisdom tooth pulled. Dr. Corum examined it and questioned her
about it, then decided it did not need to be pulled. She was a
happy camper about that good news, and I was also.
I attended the monthly business luncheon at the Council on Aging
today. Helen Carter presided over the meeting, and we covered a
good bit of business related to our county’s aging programs, and
the Senior Center. We did have reports that the recent Polk
Sallet Revue was very successful, and we made a good bit of
money to apply toward our aging programs.
This evening Councilmen Wales, Crutcher, Councilwoman Milly
Caudle, and I attended the Nucor Steel Corporation Town Meeting
at Point Mallard in Decatur. There were around 2500 people
attending the meeting that included Nucor’s awarding to the
152nd MP Company and the 128th MP Company its “Men of Steel”
award. These units that served in the Iraq war included Danny
Slaton, Kevin Vibbert, and Howard Cooper from the Athens area.
Three men who are Nucor executives made speeches related to the
trade wars that exist between America and our partner nations
involved in global trade. This is a very important subject about
which each of us should be concerned. I am including my thoughts
about this meeting in the following paragraphs. These thoughts
will also be published in my column in the Sunday Athens News
Courier:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday night 2500 people attended the Town Hall meeting at
Point Mallard Park in Decatur. The meeting was sponsored by
Nucor Steel Corporation of Decatur. Nucor manufactures steel
from recycled materials, and produces 22 million tons each year
at its 49 facilities located in 23 states.
Nucor officials welcomed the crowd and presented the "Men of
Steel" award to members of the 128th Military Police Company,
and the 152nd Military Police Company. These units include
several Athens residents. A Morgan County high school band and
ROTC unit entertained the audience, and posted the Colors. An
excellent dinner was served by Athens resident Mark Whitt and
his staff from the Whitt's Barbecue stores in Decatur and
Athens.
The meeting was held to give local people a simple explanation
of the complicated trade war that exists between the United
States and other nations of the world, especially China. Three
officials from Nucor spoke to the audience, and I think we came
away with an understanding of what is happening to our nation's
economy which affects our local economy, and what we may be able
to do about it.
Since 1979, 6 million manufacturing jobs have been lost in the
United States, 3 million of them in the last 10 years. 70,000 of
these jobs were lost from Alabama from June, 1998, to December,
2007, and it is believed four more jobs ceased to exist for each
one lost. That's 280,000 jobs! There are 300,000 jobs remaining
in Alabama’s manufacturing sector. America is not losing these
jobs because we are not competitive, but we lose them due to the
abusive and illegal tactics used by China and our other global
trade partners to enhance their own economies at the expense of
our own.
Our global trade relationships allow the flow of goods through
the world. Risks are associated with trade, and rules and
agreements have been established to govern free trade between
nations. These are called Free Trade Agreements, and they exist
to provide a level playing field. In other words, every nation
is even and no one should have the advantage over the other in
the course of trade.
The problem is that our government is not enforcing these
agreements. A trade deficit exists when the value of goods
imported from a nation exceeds the value of goods we export to
that nation. Our total trade deficit with all nations in 1992
was $56 billion. In 2008 it was $750 billion. Our government
needs to pressure our partners to abide by the rules and
agreements, and not give away the store. It needs to protect
America by allowing us to compete with other nations in a fair
manner.
Foreign trade is good for both parties, as long as it is
competitive and transacted in a fair manner. A trade deficit of
$256 billion exists with China. This means a loss of
manufacturing jobs and the goods they would produce in America,
and fewer goods available to the Chinese people. This is bad for
both nations. China and other emerging nations take short cuts
to hasten their growth at our expense. These short cuts take
away good, high-paying jobs from America, and send sub-standard,
unsafe goods into America.
These short cuts include subsidies, which are discounted land
costs, discounted energy costs, low interest loans, and debt
forgiveness which drives their exports and increases the trade
deficit; Currency manipulation, which keeps the value of their
currency artificially low compared to the dollar which make
their exports to us cheaper and our imports to them expensive;
Climate changes, caused by a lack of environmental concern in
many of the world's nations that do not have the same
environmental solutions as America, and encourages U.S.
companies to move jobs to foreign nations where the rules are
not so stringent. All of these shortcuts are taken by our
partners in an attempt to weaken existing trade laws, and
Congress has not acted to strengthen the trade laws.
What can we do? The answer is for Congress to enforce and
strengthen the existing free trade laws. They haven't done this
for many years. Why? Someone doesn't want it done. Someone is
making money and does not want a change. We need to be very
concerned about the new Congressman we will elect to represent
our district this year. Our new congressman should understand
that we only want our jobs here in north Alabama to be given the
opportunity to be involved in fair competition with jobs in
China. On a level playing field, we will win every time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday morning David Seibert, County Commission Chairman, and I
met with a business person to discuss an economic proposal to
the city and county. We often have proposals presented from
industrial and commercial people who wish to establish some type
business in our community.
I went to Casa Blanca Restaurant at lunch and presented a
birthday proclamation to Juli Merritt Rogers, a supervisor at
the local Department of Human Resources. Juli worked with me for
several years before I came to the Mayor’s office, and has
remained a dear friend to me. She and several of our old heads
from DHR were enjoying her birthday lunch, along with a few of
the newer workers from the office.
The City Council will meet Monday night for a regular meeting.
The following items of business will be discussed:
The City Council will have a joint meeting with the Limestone
County Commission following the Commission’s regularly scheduled
meeting that begins at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will take place at
the Limestone County courthouse annex building located at 100 S.
Clinton Street on the 2nd floor, in the Commission’s “chamber.”
General municipal business will be discussed.
APRIL 14, 2008
ATHENS POLICE DEPARTMENT
951 HOBBS STREET EAST
4:00 P. M. WORK SESSION
• Clean Harbor (15 min)
5:30 P. M. REGULAR SESSION
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. INVOCATION – Johnny Crutcher
4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Mayor Williams
5. APPROVAL OF CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: March 24, 2008
6. APPROVAL OF WORK SESSION MINUTES: March 24, 2008
7. APPROVAL OF SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MINUTES:
8. REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES:
9. REPORTS OF SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
10. REPORT OF OFFICERS:
A. MAYOR
B. CITY ATTORNEY
C. COUNCIL MEMBERS:
(1) MR. CRUTCHER
(2) MR. WALES
(3) MR. GILL
(4) MR. MARKS
(5) DR. CAUDLE
11. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. Continuation of January 14th Public Hearing concerning
property located at the north side of Brownsferry Street, near
the corner of Hine Street.
2. Continuation of January 14th Public Hearing concerning
property located at the south side of Brownsferry Street, near
the corner of Hine Street
3. Sale of alcohol for First & Last Stop located at 19017 Al
Hwy 127 North. (Change of ownership)
RESOLUTIONS, ORDINANCES, ORDERS AND OTHER
BUSINESS:
CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Resolution to approve travel expenses for the Water
Department.
B. Resolution to approve travel expenses for the Electric
Department.
C. Resolution to approve travel advance for the Fire
Department.
REGULAR CALENDAR
D. Resolution to approve the Master Plan for Creekside Village
subdivision.
.
E. Ordinance to approve a State Sales Tax Holiday.
F. Ordinance to delete Section 10-39 of the Code of
Ordinances regarding Animal Control.
G. Resolution to reorganize the Customer Service
Department.
H. Resolution to waive the water tap fees for Limestone County
Rails to Trails for a park in Piney Chapel.
Resolution to waive the water tap fees for Limestone
County Rails to Trails for a park in Piney Chapel.
I. Resolution to approve the collection of household
hazardous waste.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Here is the schedule of events for our community compiled by
Jeannette Dunnavant, Tourism Director of the Chamber of
Commerce:
Don’t Forget: Athens High School Greenhouse is now open Monday –
Friday 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Saturdays 9 AM to 2:00 PM. The
greenhouse has started their Spring Plant Sale to include;
bedding plants, vegetables, hanging baskets and 1-gallon
tomatoes. For more information contact Jerry Davis at 233-6613.
Apr 11 – Dinner begins at 6:30 PM and show at 7:30 PM - Dinner
Show featuring the Flashbacks Classic Show band at Yesterdays
Event Center, www.yesterdaysevents.com.
Apr 12 – Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives Benefit Poker Run.
Registration begins at 9:00 AM, first bike out at 9:30 AM and
last bike out at 11:30 AM. 256-771-7578
Apr 12 at 8:00 AM – Ardmore Renaissance Faire Sewing Workshop –
Bring 3 yards of material to the Ardmore, TN annex and make your
own Renaissance Faire costume to wear to the festival, April 19
& 20. 256-423-7588.
Apr 12 at 6:30 PM & 8:30 PM – Red Caboose Song Writers Night at
the Red Caboose in Elkmont, AL, reservations required,
256-306-6201
Apr 12 – 13th Annual Limestone County TRIAD Trail Ride will be
Saturday, April 12th. Ride starts at 11:00 a.m.; Gate opens at
9:00 a.m. Meal provided with ride. Gate prices: $12 for Adult
Riders; $7 for Children under 12 and Non-Riders. Call Mot at
232-0111 or Dean at 232-7207.
Apr 18-19 – 17th Annual Dogwood Festival on the Square featuring
live entertainment, Free mini-seminars by experts on gardens,
flowers, potting, etc. Do Da Parade at 9:45 AM, Kids’ Korner,
Bike Rodeo and Safety Course (10 AM – 2 PM), 256-233-8728
18th & 19th April - Spring has come to Downtown Athens! Catch
the 'Spirit of Athens' at our Downtown 'Spring Open House'. All
day Friday April 18th and Saturday April 19th. Register with any
merchant to win 1 of four $50 gift certificates to be given away
on Saturday. For more information go to
www.athensplus.com/springopenhouse . There will be in
store specials and door prizes.
April 18 – at 9 AM – 3 PM - City of Athens Relay for Life team
yard sale, Friday, April 18th in front of the Police Department.
Donations are being accepted at this time and may be brought to
City Hall located at 200 West Hobbs Street. Contact Janet Parris
at 233-8013.
Apr 19 – Registration begins at 6:30 AM – Start time 8 AM – 2nd
Annual Tour de Pig! Bicycle Ride, meet at the courthouse
square, Athens, AL 256-233-2224
www.athensplus.com/tourdepig.htm
Apr 19 – American Cancer Society Rely for Life 3-Man Basketball
Tournament at the Athens Recreation Center, $50.00 per team to
participate. Contact Richard Brown 431.1602 or Greg Cosby
714.0248
www.athensplus.com/3manbball.htm
Apr 19 at 7:30 AM – 1 PM – Athens Garden Club’s Annual Plant and
Bake Sale downtown Athens, directly across Washington Street
from First Presbyterian Church, contact brucefulton@pclnet.net
Apr 19 at 8 AM – 1 PM – Athens Garden Club’s Annual Plant and
Bake Sale at the Athens Farmers Market on Green Street, contact
brucefulton@pclnet.net
Apr 19 & 20 – Ardmore Renaissance Faire, live entertainment,
vendors selling wares of all types, demonstrations, kids
activities, located at the Town of Ardmore, AL town park across
the street from the Ardmore Boys and Girls Club, 256-423-7588
Apr 20 – Last Stone Ceremony and Guided Tour of the Confederate
Circle and graves and unveiling of memorial to honor confederate
soldiers at the Athens City Cemetery, Hobbs Street hosted by the
Sons of Confederate Veterans, Camp #768, www.scv768.rog
Apr 22 – Relay for Life Celebration Dinner at the Athens 1st
Baptist Church Family Life Center, 256-535-1082, 256-318-0590
Apr 23 at Noon – Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon
sponsored by the Athens Ladies Civitan Club at the Central
Church of Christ, 256-874-7490
Apr 25 at 6:30 PM and 8:30 PM – Red Caboose with Bradley Walker
and others at the Red Caboose at Elkmont, AL. Reservations
required by calling 256-306-6201
Apr 25-26 at 7 PM – 7 AM – Relay for Life at the Athens
Sportsplex, 256-535-1082, 256-318-0590
Apr 25 – 27 at 6 PM on the 25th at 8 AM on 26th – Southside
Church of Christ Homecoming Celebration at Athens Middle School
Auditorium. Enjoy beautiful acappella singing and much more,
256-206-9127
Apr 26 at 7 AM – 2 PM – Limestone County Churches Involved Bass
Fishing Team Tournament sponsored by Lindsay Lane United Appear
Fund at the Elk River Lee High Ramp, Limestone County, AL,
256-431-1553, 256-233-6784
Apr 26 at 9 AM – Athens on the Square Car Show & Poker Run, over
350+ antique vehicles are expected to converge on the Athens, AL
square, FREE to the public; lots of beautiful vintage vehicles
will be here for your viewing. To enter your vehicle or for more
information call 256-603-1227.
http://athensplus.com/auto_show.htm
Apr 26 with dinner at 6:30 PM and show at 7:30 PM – Yesterdays
Showband Featuring Kevin Adams, enjoy the show and dancing,
contact www.yesterdaysevents.com to make your reservations.
Apr 26 – Southern Crossroads Best Buckin BBQ Cookoff, at the
Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, Hwy 99, Athens,
Admission $5.00, 256-232-4008
Apr 26 at 8 AM – Annual Rails-to-Trails Horse Ride at Elkmont,
AL, 256-734211
Apr 26 at 7 PM – Wild Game Supper for Limestone County Churches
Involved at the Freedom Christian Center, 26449 Salem Minor Hill
Road (at the end of Easter Ferry Road). For more information
call 771-5667 or email kieth@finishedwork.com.
April 26, Charity Softball Tournament at Athens SportsPlex. Hwy
31. Raffles, Door Prizes, 50/50 Draw, Concessions ADMISSION $4
per person All children 12 and under free All proceeds go to Amy
Martin Medical Fund. Donations can be made at the Redstone
Federal Credit Union to the Amy Martin Charity Fund. For
information or entry forms call Brian@ 206-6308 or Lori@
642-9752.
www.athensplus.com/softball.htm
Apr 29 at noon – Beautification Board Fashion Show (tickets must
be purchased in advance), at the First United Methodist Church
Beasley Center, Athens, Tickets are $25.00, 256-232-8728
I guess this is enough for this time. I hope the storm this
afternoon did not do too much damage, and I hope it continues to
give us the rain we have missed from the lack of rain.
Take care and I’ll see you next time. mayordan
All of the local
'Events & Activities'
can be found on AthensPlus.com,
with contact information and full details.
www.athensplus.com/tourismhighlight_april.htm
