Mayor Dan’s Weekly Blog

 
Friday August 28 - Friday September 4th 2009

Greetings from the Mayor’s office. I hope you and your family have had a good week and are ready for the long weekend. The weather has been beautiful and cooperative for the past few days, and I hope that it lasts. I have heard that many families are headed for the beach for summer’s last fling. Others may be going to the mountains, and many will just relax here at home, grilling out and enjoying their families. Our bunch is going to spend the weekend at Guntersville Lodge. Whitney had arranged everything for us and rented a pontoon for the entire day on Saturday. The Lodge is a beautiful place set in an idyllic setting in the mountains along the Tennessee River. I am looking forward to the weekend.

I went to Congressman Parker Griffith’s Town Meeting at Athens State University this Friday afternoon. I would estimate the crowd to be around four or five hundred. I think for most of the attendees, most of the time, they were well-behaved. There were some passionate feelings from many, but they agreed with the Congressman sometime, and applauded him, and then they didn’t agree and booed his remarks. I thought he handled himself quite well, and he began his remarks by stating that he would not vote for the Congressional Health Care Bill as it now stands. He said that he and other Blue-Dog Democrats had already been to the White House and Speaker Pelosi’s office for their arm twisting over the bill.

There were a lot of folks present that I did not recognize, and I think some were from other counties. Most of the ones who lined up to ask questions, wanted to make statements for several minutes before asking the question. This seemed to aggravate most of the audience who didn’t want to hear their opinions. I think the Congressman is to be commended for coming to town to face his constituents over this highly controversial matter. I really wish they would do this several times each year so they could get a good feeling about what the voters who put them in office, wants.

Friday evening Kay prepared a wonderful dinner for us and the Whitts. They came over around seven and we had a shrimp dish that Kay had seen prepared just today on a cooking show. It was very good with a salad, and we had a fudge pie and white sheet cake for dessert with our coffee. The white cake was for Mark. He has had a liver transplant and cannot have chocolate. We enjoyed our fellowship with them tonight.

Saturday morning we slept a little late and had a lite breakfast. I went to the VBC for the India Cultural Festival at 10:00 a.m. I met Dr. and Ms. Sahu for this event. I spoke at the opening ceremony, had a shawl placed upon me by the Master of Ceremonies, and unveiled the oil painting which represented the event.

There were many dances performed by the local Indian citizens of North Alabama. I really enjoyed their music and dancing. The ladies native dress is so colorful and beautiful. It all seems to be very comfortable to wear. They also had many artifacts and items of culture for educational purposes. There was also a bazaar where goods ranging from very nice jewelry to spices and condiments were sold. Many Indian children were involved in the program.

We received work this morning that our first cousin, Mary Helen Williams Partain passed away. She and her husband Max lived in Birmingham. Mary Helen was the oldest of the Williams grandchildren being born the year after our grandfather died. Mary Helen was a beautiful woman, and very artistic. She had a creative flare about her, and all her activities were geared toward creating something beautiful. Her funeral will be in Mt. Laurel, Alabama, on Tuesday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon around three, our family went to Phil Sandoval’s Restaurant in Huntsville for Kay’s family birthday celebration. All of our kids, grand kids, and my sister Joan’s family came. We had a great time celebrating with Kay on this special day. This is the second time we have been to this restaurant, and we enjoy the Mexican food. It is well prepared and very reasonable. One thing I like is that you can order off the lunch menu until 4:00 p.m.

I went back to the India Cultural Festival for a couple of hours tonight. We listened to the musical concert performed by several artists who are known in the Indian community. This pop music and all the singers come out of Bombay, India, and it is referred to as Bollywood. I enjoyed the cultural event today and sampled several items of food and drink. It was very good.

Sunday morning we attended Sunday school and Church. Larry Hicks had another good lesson from James this morning. I sang with the choir today and Mark Cahill spoke to us about being better witnesses for Christ. Mark Cahill is an Auburn graduate and was saved while attending the University. He started witnessing to people and it has turned into a full-time ministry for him. He is really an impressive young man and I think he was well-received by the adults and especially the youth of our Church.

We went to Pulaski after Church today to eat lunch at Hickory House Restaurant. Whitney, Allen, and two of their kids, Charles, and Dinah went with us. We enjoyed the buffet and the ride up there and back. Asa was in a hurry to get home because he has a new bow and he wanted to go to the Archery Range behind Athens High to try it out.

Kay and I spent a quiet afternoon and evening at home. All the kids were gone and the house was mighty quiet with just us there. I caught up on some reading.

Monday morning I had Kelly Kazack and Alissa Rose-Clark as guests on my radio show. Kelly is the Managing Editor of the Athens News Courier, and Alissa is a local artist. Kelly has compiled her weekly columns into a book entitled,”…. Alissa did the photography for the book cover. Kelly will be at Art On The Square on Saturday, September 12, to sign copies of her book. She will be located in front of Pablo’s On the Square. The book sells for $25 and I hope you will come by and get a copy. There is a lot of humor inside the pages of the book. Our show today consisted of talk about the different stories in the book, and promoting the Art On The Square Festival. I hope you will come out for the festival. I think there will be sixty-five artist there to display and sell their art.

Kay and I went to Washington Street Diner today for lunch today. We enjoyed the blue-plate food and we really had a good conversation over lunch. That is a good thing for husbands and wives to do.

I met with several Department Heads today to continue working on budget matters.

I talked with Senator Tom Butler today on business concerning a grant for a sewer construction in Cottonwood Subdivision. We feel the grant is going to be approved, and think it has been sent from ADECA to the Governor’s office to be signed off on by Governor Riley. Tom said he would call the Governor’s office to see is they could speed up the process.

Tom told me that his daughter Jill is doing much better than they ever expected with her fight against cancer. This has been going on for a few years and she has been in remission. The cancer did return and chances for recovery or another remission period looked very bleak. Suddenly her condition improved, and I think he said she had even attended Church on Sunday. I want to ask everyone to pray for Jill and her family. Tom and Karen are the finest of people and they have done so much for our community.

We heard on the local news tonight that a child died in Scottsboro from Swine Flu. The parents of school children there are very upset, and who can blame them for being so? This Flu situation is serious and I hope we can escape an outbreak of serious illness here in our community.

Word also came today that Soulstock will move to Point Mallard in Decatur next year. This is a big loss for us and it is not a situation where the Soulstock producers have wanted to leave our community. I have talked with them over the past several months and they have really out-grown the Beasley Field at Athens State University. They looked at our Sportsplex and Athens High’s facility, but they are not adequate for their future plans. They have had around 12 to 15 thousand people at Beasley Field, and they want to double that number or more. Decatur officials approached them with Point Mallard’s facilities and offered them many things which we couldn’t. The move is strictly to grow, and I wish them well in their endeavor.

I heard the news tonight that Continental Automotive in Huntsville will close at the end of 2010 with the loss of over 1000 good jobs. That will mean some of our folks in Athens will be affected by this bad news, and it is a tremendous loss for the Huntsville area during the downturn in the economy. I will be glad if things can ever get back to normal.

Tuesday morning I met with my Finance Director to discuss city finances. This is something that we do quite often. It seems that we are still in good fiscal condition and will end this year in good shape. There have been many costs added to our original budget during the year, but we thing we will have enough to cover the added cost without going into our reserves.

Tuesday afternoon, my cousin George Williams Jr. and I drove to Mt. Laurel, south of Birmingham to attend the memorial service of our first cousin, Mary Helen Williams Partain. The visitation was at 5:00 and the service was at 6:00. We got to visit with a lot of our cousins that we haven’t seen in some time. Mary Helen’s husband, Max Partain, was there, but he is very ill and recently suffered a broken hip in a fall. Max’s dearest friend from childhood gave the eulogy. It was one of the best I have ever heard, and it was so true of Mary Helen’s life. Mary Helen’s granddaughter, Hannah, who is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, played the piano and sang,” It Is Well With My Soul”. She also sang a song about the wings of an eagle, unaccompanied. She did very well. After the memorial service, the family had a dinner at the church for more visitation, then we came home around 9:00. I was so glad that George and I got to go down together. We don’t see each other often, and the trip gave us time to talk and reflect about things. We grew up as close as brothers, and each of us lost our only brother years ago. It was good for us to be together.

Mt. Laurel is a planned community that has been built in recent years near the Shoals Creek Golf Club. They have built a village which is a small business district that caters to the surrounding area. I think everything is similar to the English villages. I want to go there the next time I am nearby, to see more of this area.

Wednesday morning was busy with correspondence in the office. Two of our Councilmen and I met with bankers and Industrial Development officials about an industrial project.

Councilman Marks and I later met with Keep Athens and Limestone County Beautiful to discuss their appropriation request for the coming fiscal year.

Wednesday afternoon our police escorted about forty Corvettes to our Courthouse Square. I had been contacted about two weeks ago by a man named Bill Matthews. He said he would be coming through Athens today with a caravan of fifty corvettes, on the way the Bowling Green, Kentucky, to the Corvette Museum for the 15Th Anniversary. They were stopping in Athens to spend the night and wanted to get some publicity. I had Chief Wayne Harper to coordinate a time for our police to pick them up on I-65 and escort them downtown to the Square. I also called Bland Allen and asked him to be on the Square to assist us. He has been responsible for our successful car show and the cruise ins on the Square.

The caravan arrived just after 4:30. Bland had Dwight Billions to help him and they got forty cars lined up on the east and north side of the Square. There were about eighty folks with the caravan. They had stopped in Talledega this morning and were allowed to run the track in the corvettes. Bill told me that the cars averaged around 140 mph on the track. We had a period of introductions and fellowship with these folks. They allowed kids and everyone to touch and sit in their cars. They were very impressed and thankful for the warm welcome they received for Athens and Limestone County residents. They all wanted to eat downtown in our restaurants, and they really had a big time. They were all very nice folks. The News Courier had run a story on them coming in today and they all wanted copies of the paper. They made arrangements to get copies to tomorrow’s paper which will have another story and their pictures in it.

Thursday morning I met with my Finance Director, City Engineer, and Chairman David Seibert to discuss city and county business. I met with Ann Crutcher and Doris Estes to sign a proclamation and have a picture made for the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Week.

Thursday afternoon we talked with the representative of the American Cancer Society who is already making plans for next year’s Relay for Life. She has been very pleased with the participation of the City of Athens. Sharon Seay, our Human Resource Director, and many other ladies employed by the city are responsible for the success each year.

I met with Teresa Smith and others at the bank this afternoon about a Flag Project for the community. You will hear more about this project soon. It is a good one and is very patriotic.

Kay and I had a great supper with three of our kids and three grand kids. We had biscuits, minute steak, mashed potatoes, and English peas.

Friday morning our Public Works Director, James Rich and I met with a local businessman to discuss the possibility of the city acquiring some property. This property would be very beneficial to the city in the future.

I spent time in the office getting my correspondence up to date. I also talked with Department Heads about a few items of city business.

Kay and I are getting ready to go to Guntersville Lodge this weekend. We hope to have a great time with our family.

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

I am including the Chamber Schedule of Events at the end of this letter. I think it lists everything on tap through December. I know you will find things to do between now and the end of the year.

September 05, 2009 at 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Antique enthusiasts are invited to bring their vehicle and park on the square downtown Athens, AL. Participating businesses will offer specials and extended hours on the “First Saturdays”. For more information call Bland Allen 256-603-1227 or Email waters@ardmore.net; Steve Bradley, 256-230-6048 or Trisha Black at 256-278-6436. Free

Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Crystal Cup Golf Tournament
September 10, 2009 at 1:00 PM. Team fees are $150 per player – $600 per Team. Sponsorships Available. Contact Amy 256-233-236 or Ray 256-232-1776.

Duck and Run 5K Race
September 12, 2009 at 8:00 AM
Runners meet at Big Spring Memorial Park, Athens, AL. Sponsored by KALB, 256-233-8728. www.keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com. Free

Art on the Square
September 12, 2009 at 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Art on the Square, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting local art, providing art education, and hosting a one-day cultural event in Athens, Alabama. Over 40 artists converge on the Limestone County Courthouse, Athens, AL, lawn displaying and selling their beautiful art including oils, pottery, watercolor, jewelry, and more. Visit www.artonthesquareathens.com

Beverly Lewis Visits The Library
September 16 at 6:00 PM

New York Times Bestselling author Beverly Lewis will speak at the Athens-Limestone Public Library. She will sign copies of her new book “The Missing.” Copies of Mrs. Lewis’ books will be available for purchase at the library. This is event is free to the public. Contact Paula at 256-232-1233.

Singing on the Square featuring Just Down the Road and Diane Miller
September 18, 2009 at 6:00 PM
A monthly event (Apr – Sep) held featuring local musicians performing at the free concert on the courthouse steps. Bring your lawn chair and join us. Call: 256-232-5411 or email jeanette@tourathens.com.

Limestone NAACP 100th Anniversary Walk-a-Thon
September 19 at 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Start at Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park at 7:00 AM to Village View UM Church to Frazier Chapel Methodist Church to Old People’s Funeral Home Building to Location of Mrs. Lottie’s Cafe to Trinity Congregational Church to Mason’s Funeral Home to Court House Annex to Hobbs’ Cemetary and end at Trinity High School.
Contact Wilbert Woodruff at 256-227-8489 or Bernard Simelton at 256-426-6406.

2nd Literary Tastes Event
September 21, 2009
The Athens-Limestone Public Library is looking for great vendors. If you own a restaurant, are a caterer, or have another food related business, they invite you to participate. This is a great way to showcase your food and services. The event will be at Madelyn’s In The Grove. Proceeds will benefit the Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation. If you would like to participate, please contact Paula Laurita at 256-232-1233.

MS Bike Ride – Historic Mooresville, AL
September 26 and 27, 2009 at 7:00 AM
Ride is in memory of John N. Whitaker. For more information contact www.nationalmssociety.org/ale or visit www.bikems.org or call 205-879-8546

Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention
October 02, 2009 at Noon
October 03, 2009 at 8:00 AM
The Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention is known as the “Granddaddy of Midsouth Fiddlers Conventions” for its role in reviving the tradition of competition in old time music. Approximately, 20,000 people are expected to attend the convention this year from more than 30 states. The convention brings some 200 contestants to compete for top prize money. There are 18 different categories, including several fiddle and guitar categories, harmonica, mandolin, bluegrass banjo, dulcimer, old time singing, banjo, and buck dancing. The Convention culminates in a “fiddle-off,” between the top two fiddlers. Contact http://www.athens.edu/fiddlers/.

Cruise In and First Saturday
October 03, 2009 at 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Antique enthusiasts are invited to bring their vehicle and park on the square. Participating businesses will offer specials and extended hours on the “First Saturdays”. For more information call Bland Allen 256-603-1227 or Email waters@ardmore.net; Steve Bradley, 256-230-6048 or Trisha Black at 256-278-6436. Free

Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby
October 03, 2009 at 4:00 PM
A fun event with rubber ducks racking down the spring. Contact www.keepathenslimestonebeautiful.com. Free

Tracie Peterson Dinner Event
October 9, 2009
Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of over 60 novels. Mrs. Peterson will be the keynote speaker at a dinner event. Tickets will be $50 each and include dinner and an autographed copy of one of Mrs. Peterson’s books. Tickets will go on sale in September. Proceeds will benefit the Athens-Limestone Public Library Foundation. Contact Paula at 256-232-1233.

Ardmore Concert in the Park
October 10, 2009
Come and enjoy free hotdogs and great music at the Ardmore John Barnes Park. Hosted by the City of Ardmore. For more information call 931-427-2124.

Southern Shorts Film Festival
October 17, 2009
The festival, showcasing local independent films, will be at the former Diesel and Lola’s building located on Marion Street, downtown Athens, AL. Entries may submit in two age divisions – youth (ages 17 and under) and adult (ages 18 & up) – and in two categories – an unthemed, or open category, and one called Secret Athens. All entries must be accompanied by a completed and signed entry form, downloadable at www.aots-athens.com/film.html and must be received by October 1st. First prize youth and adult – $200 and best of show – $300. A 2nd and 3rd place winner will also be announced.

Athens “Haunts Walks”
October 16 & 17, 2009 at 5:30 PM and 7:00 PM
This unique walking tour takes you through historic Athens most infamous haunted locations. In the tranquility of the night your storyteller will share the details of the *tales of Athens*. Will you see a spirit, poltergeist, or ghost? Who knows? Join us for the adventure and see what happens! Tickets: Adults and Children $5.00 [under 5 years FREE] Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce Office, 101 Beaty Street, Athens, AL.

Swamp John’s Fish Fry
October 19, 2009 at 4 – 7:00 PM
For a delicious meal, join Keep Athens Limestone Beautiful (KALB) at Athens First United Methodist Church. Tickets are available by calling 256-233-8728.

Rails-to-Trails Fall Color Walk or Ride
October 24 and 25, 2009 at dawn to dusk Free

A day of fun in downtown Elkmont where walkers and riders (horses, bikes, etc) enjoy the beautiful colors of the trail. Contact 256-732-4211.

Athens Storytelling Festival
October 30 and 31, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Imagine a crisp fall weekend spent listening to stories of adventure and excitement… a place where memories and magic are captured and spun into tales that make you laugh and cry. Hear stories that tell of a time that used to be. Glimpse into the past and live the imaginary. Learn more about your parents, your children, yourself. Discover all this and more at the third annual Athens Storytelling Festival. Contact www.athensstorytellingfestival.com or call 256-232-0400.

Christmas Open House
November 21 & 22, 2009
If you are looking for a great gift for a great price, this is the perfect weekend for shoppers to visit Athens, AL. Lots of door prizes will be given away. For more information call the Athens Chamber of Commerce 256-232-2600 or Spirit of Athens 256-278-6436.

Festival of Trees
November is the perfect time for Christmas trees. Visit the Donnell House in Athens, AL and view the beautiful display of Christmas trees. For more information call 256-536-5737 (Jacque) or visit www.donnellhouse.org.

Reliance Bank Athens Christmas Parade
December 3, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Enjoy all the lighted floats, marching bands and walkers at the annual Christmas Parade. For more information call 256-232-1944.

Ardmore Christmas Parade
December 5, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Enjoy the beauty of the floats, the marching band and more at the annual Christmas Parade. For more information call 256-423-7588.

Walking and Driving Trails
Ardmore Tour of Homes
December 12, 2009
It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit and what better way than tour the beautiful homes in Ardmore. This annual event is hosted by the Ardmore AL/TN Chamber of Commerce. Call 256-423-7588.

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

Mayor Dan