Friday, August 15, 2008
Greetings from the Mayor's office,
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I hope you are having a good week with your family. Today is election day in Athens, and my family and I are awaiting the results of our citizens votes to see if I will serve a fifth term as Mayor of our favorite city. This is a trying time, and it is more trying for my family than it is for me. This is the ninth campaign we have participated in, and I have learned to go with the flow of politics, but there is always that tingling of nervousness on election day because you never really know how people will vote. Regardless of how things turn out, my family and I have been blessed to have had the honor of serving the citizens of Athens for so long.
I appologize for taking so long with my letter for the past few weeks. The campaign takes so much time that it has been difficult to sit down and get it all together. I hope you will bear with me as I give a short synopsis of the past couple of weeks.
Friday night, August 8, Kay and I went to Stanfield's in Rogersville with Mark and Phyllis Whitt. We saw several folks there from Athens. We have really enjoyed going over to eat in Rogersville and seeing a lot of folks we know. Every time I am there, folks ask me to see if we can get them to come to Athens and open a restaurant.
Saturday morning, August 9, Kay made a good breakfast for us. All our kids and grand kids were here for the morning meal. Kara, our daughter-in-law had to sit with her ill grandfather and did not get to be with us.
Around 10:30 Daniel, Charles, and I went to Canebrake sub-division to go door-to-door campaigning. One of our friends accompanied us and we met a lot of residents during our time there. A lot of folks were not at home and we left a brochure on their door. I am amazed at how many homes are in this development, and how many new citizens live here. We met a lot of new folks that we did not know and all of them seem to enjoy living in Athens. Several said they moved here for the school system.
We took a lunch break and went back and finished by 2:00 p.m. Our grandkids Luke and Jillian went with us after lunch and enjoyed handing out some brochures.
Saturday night all our family was in different places. Allen and Asa went to Nashville to the races, and Alex and Kaleigh were with friends. Kay, Whitney, Dinah, and I went to Decatur to Red Lobster for dinner. Kay and I had one of their gift card from Christmas, and Dinah also had one. We had to wait around thirty minutes to be seated, and we really enjoyed our meal with our daughters.
Sunday morning, August 10, we attended Sunday school and Church. We had a good crowd at Sunday school and a good lesson from our teacher, Larry Hicks, from the book of Acts. Our choir did very well in our worship service this morning. We sang,"The Name Of The Lord," and,"The Glory And Majesty." These are two beautiful songs with tremendous messages. Brother Jenkins delivered a great sermon and we had Communion.
Kay and I had to go by Wal Mart after Church to get some sandwich meat for our lite lunch. There were many people there and I ran into a young cousin of mine whom I did not know. She grew up in New Hope and has married Wayne Dunaway and moved to Athens. Her name is Angie, and her grandfather was Willie Bell Williams. He was a first cousin to my Daddy and I remember Willie Bell, but wasn't ever around him. His daughter, Marcia Martin, and I have become acquainted over the past several years, and I have found her to be a wonderful lady. She works for the TVA office in Huntsville. She and her husband, Wade, have been to several of our family gatherings here in Athens.
Kay and I both left our cell phones at home today and when we arrived at home Dinah said she had been trying to call us. Kaleigh, our oldest grandchild had been in a wreck, but she is ok. This scared us so bad, but in a few minutes she and her Mom and Dad came in with her. She was in the passenger seat with her seat belt fastened. A car turned in front of the car in which she was riding, causing the air bag to deploy. She received some burns and discomfort from the powder in the bag, and her lips were hit very hard by the bag or on the dash. Her mouth was bleeding but no teeth were loosened and there were no bad cuts. The thing that hurt her most was a jammed finger. An ambulanced was dispatched and the EMT's checked her out and she did not go to the hospital in the ambulance, but later went to the Emergency Room and got checked out. She was in the car with two of her friends, on the way home from Church.
We all said a prayer of thanksgiving for her deliverence from serious injury, and had a nice lunch. She was holding ice on her face, and furiously text messaging her friends about the accident.
Kay and I went to Charles' house this afternoon to meet Kelly's sister Rosie, her baby girl, and their grandmother, Easter. They had gone to Memphis to get Easter, and spent the weekend there. She will be at Kelly's home in Huntsville for a while.
Kay went to our Church Discipleship class this afternoon. It is being taught by Betty Dean Newman and there are more than forty ladies enrolled in the class. After the class, we went to Casa Blanca with the Todds and Harper's for supper. We got to hear about the Todd's trip to Ireland. They have been gone for two weeks and returned on Friday.
Monday, August 11, was our fortieth anniversary. It doesn't seem that we have been married that long to me, but Kay assures me that it has indeed been that long a time. Since this is election year and we are involved in a campaign, we did not leave town. We exchanged our anniversary gifts this morning, then went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Kay gave me a nice Cyma wrist watch, and I gave her a ruby ring. We both were well-pleased with the gifts.
We saw Jim and Sharon Blackburn at Cracker Barrel. They are in our Sunday school class, and they have an anniversary tomorrow. Wayne Harper, our Police Chief, and his wife, Vonnette, have their thirty-eighth anniversary tomorrow.
The Council met at 4:00 p.m. for a work session. The agenda for the regular meeting was discussed, and there are few items for tonight's meeting. The Council did discuss at length the proposed development of Athens and Limestone County's property on Highway 31 South being developed into a light industrial park. This is the property where the new Health Department is being constructed. The Council also discussed the proposed improvements to Pike Road.
Several residents from Houston Place and Black's Landing came to the meeting to get information about the City's plans to provide more timely fire protection in Black's Landing, and the resolution to problems caused in insurance rates in Houston Place due to the new fire station being a bit over five road miles from the sub-division.
The following items of business received attention from the Council:
A. Approved a Resolution to set a special meeting on August 29 at 5:30 p.m. for a public hearing for a zoning request regarding the Braley property that was recently annexed by the Council. It has been recommended by the Planning Commission that the property be zoned
B-3, Highway Business District.
B. Approved a Resolution to approve payment to Stephen Ward Associates, Inc. for the the re-roofing of the Recreation Center in the amount of $11,040.
C. Approved the repair of a drainage ditch at 108 Hammons Street in Athens. The cost is not to exceed $2,000 and will be funded from City Council District Foour funds.
D. Approved a Resolution to expend $210,000 in General Fund reserves for the improvements to Pike Road.
E. Approved the expenditure of $3800 to cut and remove a dead tree in the Athens City Cemetery.
We also announced during the meeting that Charter Cable TV has agreed to provide cable service to those areas of Canebrake Sub-division that are not currently being served.
Kay and I went to Logan's Steak House for dinner following the meeting. I had the pork chops and they were very good.
Tuesday morning, August 12, I met with two officials to discuss issues about our hospital. We are looking at applying for grants to help with the planned rennovation of the emergency room.
I went to WKAC this morning for my regular talk show. We discussed the Council meeting for a short time, then Kirk Harvey questioned me about the campaign and how things are going in the city.
I went to the Realtor's Association meeting today at lunch. The meeting was held at the old Corinth Church of Christ building. This has been turned into a meeting facility and is very nice. The Association had a candidate's forum at the end of their business meeting.
I met with our fiscal consultant and other city officials this afternoon to discuss financing for the city's projects.
Kay and I had a quiet night at home this evening. I watched the Huntsville and Madison Mayoral debates tonight on WHNT. It is evident that politicians everywhere have a problem thinking and expressing themselves quickly, especially on camera.
Wednesday morning, August 13, I spent some time in the office catching up on correspondence.
I went to Huntsville at lunch to attend a regional transportation meeting. This luncheon was an opportunity to speak with Lt. Gov., Jim Folsom, about the problems and projections of monies available for State of Alabama transportation needs.
I came back to Athens and worked on my campaign during the afternoon and night.
Thursday morning, August 14, I met Evan Thornton, Jarod Hester, and Bill Matthews for breakfast at Shoney's. We had a good breakfast and good conversation. I always get some good advice from these young guys.
Kay and I later went for a visit with our financial counsellor to see how bad we have been hit in our investments. We are in much better shape than I thought we would be. The market has lost about twenty percent from many reports, but we were down about four percent. One portion of ours that is very conservative for fast times has seemed to hold everything together during the downturns. I sure hope things get better for the economy. I talk with so many folks now that are concerned about their savings during these retirement years, and rightly so. We all want to have enough to last us for the rest of our lives.
The Chamber of Commerce held a retirement reception today at the new College Inn for Pat Bullington. Pat is retiring after eight years with the Chamber. Terri Jo Banta is taking over the job that Pat is leaving.
I spent a large part of the afternoon studying and discussing a proposed bond issue for our new sewer treatment facility. This will be the biggest construction project in the history of the city of Athens.
I spent some time this afternoon getting ready for the political forum at Athens State University tonight. It was held in McCandless Auditorium, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, and emceed by Dr. Jess Brown, Political Science professor from the University. All of the candidates were present except Mr. Wise, who is running for Mayor, and Mr. Putman, who is runnning for District Two Council seat. There were about one hundred folks present to listen to all the candidates address the same three questions: 1. How would you fund a Civic Center if a feasibility study indicates one is needed, 2. How would you solve the downtown parking problem, 3. What are your priorities for the city? The program lasted a little less than an hour and I think everyone enjoyed it.
Friday, August 15, I went door-to-door in a neighborhoods on the east side of town. It was extremely hot, and one lady told me to come back by her house and get water from the fridge in the garage when I got through. I did, and it was a life saver for me. People have been so nice to me in the hot weather.
Friday evening Kay and I had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's with our daughter, Dinah. I think I ate too much because it was hard for me to get to sleep tonight.
Saturday morning, August 16, I had a good breakfast, then started door-to-door down Market Street. It got hot very soon. I walked from Lucas Ferry Road to Hine Street, then I walked back. That was a lot of exercise for me. I went to the Courthouse Square to see how the Tide/Tiger day was going.
I later went to Athens High and ate lunch with the ROTC picnic group. They had some good ribs and I had a good conversation with my luncheon partners.
I went through another neighborhood this afternoon. I also got overheated and a kind family having a yard sale took pity on me and the lady went inside and brought out two big glasses of ice water. We sat in the shade of the trees and visited for about thirty minutes.
I got home early enough to prepare for the forum hosted tonight at Athens State University Ballroom by the local chapter of the NAACP. It began at 7:00 p.m. and we had five minutes to speak, then questions from the audience took about one and one-half hours. We had some great refreshments after the forum, and I got home around ten o'clock.
Sunday morning, August 17, we attended Sunday school and Church.
We went to Madison to meet our son Daniel and his family at the Surine Restaurant that specializes in Thai foods.
We all came back to Charles' house for Luke's tenth birthday.
We laid around the pool for the afternoon. Kay and I went to Larry and Linda Hicks' house this evening for a Sunday school social. This was a Church-wide social night for the Sunday school members and guests. We had a watermellon cutting.
We later went to our daughter Whitney's house while the kids were having pizza supper.
Monday morning, August 18, I spent time in the office studying our budget for the coming year. It looks as if things are going to be tight.
I spent most of the afternoon out in town campaigning. I also did quite a bit of mail-outs today.
Our family went to Mark and Phyllis Whitts tonight for Mark's birthday. We had a good meal and a good time with all our kids.
Tuesday, August 19, I spent a great deal of time on office correspondence, meeting with citizens and employees, and still got in a little time to campaign.
I attended the ADC (Alabama Democratic Committee) political forum tonight at the Round Island Creek Association Building. There were several local candidated present, and one gentleman seeking a place on the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Wednesday, August 20, I spent the day in different neighborhoods in the city with my campaign. I saw many folks and had a good reception from them.
Wednesday night Kay and I had dinner at Luciano's in Athens with Rusty and Pam West. He is a vice-president of TVA
Thursday, August 21, I spent the morning in the office catching up on work that has been waiting.
Late Thursday afternoon I spent time in two neighborhoods campaigning. Kay and I went to the monthly North Alabama Mayor's Meeting at the Holiday Inn in Madison. We had a gentleman from the Aerospace Association speak to us about the employment opportunities in the field.
Friday, August 22, I had breakfast at LuVici'c with Evan Thornton. We discussed the budget ending for the current year, and also went over the budget for the new year.
I met with several people this morning about the city's business.
Friday night Kay and I went to Clark's Restaurnat with Mark and Phyllis Whitt. Our daughter Dinah and their daughters Holly and Joy went with us. This was a good time for all of us being together. We stayed rather late, and as we were leaving, we smelled a skunk. The lady at the restaurant has some cats that come around often, and some of the employees feed them. The skunk has shown up a few times and she is finding a way to get him gone without hurting him.
We rode up to Elkmont to see the Red Caboose and to check the schedule for upcoming events. I want to go and hear Richard Smith when he comes there in September. He is about the world's greatest guitar player.
Saturday, August 23, Kay and I ate breakfast at LuVici's. We went to the store and purchased snacks to have after the election next Tuesday night. We always invite everyone who comes to the election returns to enjoy them with us, whether they voted for me or not.
Our son Daniel came over around ten o'clock this morning and he and I covered three neighborhoods, going door to door. We had a good reception from folks in these neighborhoods.
Tonight we went to a party hosted by the Athens Young Professionals at Madeline On The Grove. This was a good gathering, and they invited all the Mayoral and council candidates to speak to the group. They also had a band playing some great music. Our son Charles plays with the band, and we always enjoy hearing them when they have the opportunity to get together. After about an hour of music, the rain started, so Kay and I came home early.
Sunday, August 24, we attended Sunday school and Church. Brother Jenkins had an excellent sermon on showing the proper reverence for God's name.
Kay prepared a great lunch for us and our grandkids. We sort of lazed around during the afternoon. Kay went to her class at Church this afternoon. I later did some campaigning around the eastern part of the city.
Monday, August 25, is Kay's birthday. I won't tell you how old she is, but she reminds me that she is not as old as I am. I worked in the office most of the morning and did a little campaigning. We did go to Mack's for lunch with Mark and Phyllis Whitt. It is also Phyllis' birthday, so we celebrated together. I later spent the afternoon campaigning and getting in some last minute details.
Our family went to Casa Blanca tonight to celebrate Kay's birthday, then back to our house for birthday cake and pie. My sister Joan, and her family enjoyed the evening with us.
Take care and I'll see you next time.
Mayor Dan |