Weekly letter - Friday, December 4, 2009 - Friday, December 18, 2009

Greetings from the Mayor's office. I hope you have had a good week, and that you will use this last weekend to get everything ready for Christmas on next Friday. I don't think the weather will get much better than it is today, but don't let that bother you. There is bound to be something fun in store for you and your family this weekend. If you can, come to First Baptist in Athens on Saturday or Sunday night at 7:00p.m. for our Christmas Cantata. I think you will enjoy it.

Friday night, December 4, Kay and I attended our Sunday School Class Christmas party at the First Baptist Family Life Center. It was well-attended and the food was very good. Kay and several of the ladies had decorated the room, and I had been a big help to them in getting it set up this afternoon. I had to climb up on a ladder to get the candle holders down from the high shelves. We all enjoyed the fellowship. We also played our regular Dirty Santa game, and we all had fun with this.

Saturday morning we had breakfast at home. I went to the Veteran's museum for the Coffee Call today. The crowd was down, but still a good number participated. We had some chores and work to do around the house today.

I watched the Alabama/Florida ballgame this afternoon and tonight. Kay, our daughters and granddaughter went to the Mooresville Progressive Dinner tonight. They had a good time at this event. They enjoyed visiting the different places and the food that was provided. I watched the Ball game and was not surprised at all that Alabama handled the Gators as they did. I thought the Bama/Auburn game last week was a much more exciting game to watch.

Charles and I went to Village Pizza after the game to get some supper. There were several folks there eating the good pizza. We saw the Lester Smiths and the Joey Thompson's enjoying themselves. Charles caught up with them on their sons with whom he plays music.

Joel and Rosene Beasley were there with friends from Florida. They are Tom and Pam Dolen, and both are retired. He is retired from the Fire Department in Washington D. C., and Pam is retired from NSA out of Fort Meade, Maryland. Tom is also retired from the CORE of engineers in Huntsville, and is still working part time inspecting child development centers both in the states and overseas. Joel and Rosene have been to Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria twice with the Dolen's since Joel retired from the city. Tom and Pam worked in Germany on assignment for five years. Tom owns a plane and is on the Air Port Authority Board at Pryor field. They are nice people and Joel and Rosene are making southerners out of them.

Brian Jones and his family were there tonight. I think he is still basking in the warmth of having the grand prize winning float in the Christmas Parade this year. I believe this prize for the winning float has now become an on-going contest in our community. We may rival the Rose Parade in a couple of years. This is good competition for our folks to have.

Morris and Carole Bowers came in to eat and I enjoyed visiting with them. We caught up on some of our mutual friends during our visit.

Sunday morning I went to Sunday School and to church. We had lunch at home. The girls made some of the best Mexican type food that I have ever eaten.

I went to the Senior Center and participated in the program which was a salute to our veterans on the eve of Pearl Harbor Day. The crowd was sold out and everyone enjoyed the production. Several of our local World War II veterans were in attendance and they enjoyed it. Gil Crutchfield, who is the only Limestone County Pearl Harbor Survivor still living, was there and was interviewed by Jerry Barksdale. I believe this was one of the best things we have had in our community, and I am thankful that I was allowed to participate in it. I hope this becomes an annual tribute to our veterans.

Monday morning I had Kelly Kazek, Editor of the Athens News Courier, as my guest on my radio show. We discussed two more books that she has in the planning stage. We also discussed how she makes decisions as to what items of interest goes into the news paper each day. Kelly is a great guest, and I hope to have her back on from time to time.

Our family went to the Senior Center tonight to attend the Celebration of Life in memory of Mark Barksdale. I suppose there were more than two hundred friends and family members to attend the service. It was a fun time. We had so much food, and Mark's sister, Shannon, was the emcee for the event. We had pictures of Mark, and plenty of stories and music. I think this was a good thing for all of Mark's family.

Tuesday morning I met with city officials and others regarding a possible project for the city. This is an important project and we are trying to give it plenty of our attention and hope it comes to a great and good end for our community. Most of the day was spent in the office taking care of business. Kay and I had lunch today, then watched the rain come down in buckets the remainder of the afternoon. We stayed at home tonight. The kids came by for homemade pizza and we enjoyed visiting with them.

Wednesday morning I had many things to do at the office. I met with a citizen who has problems with one of our departments.
I met with our city attorney this morning to discuss the legalities of a potential project for out town.

I went to Tanner Baptist Church for the RSVP Christmas program. This program was well-attended. I enjoyed seeing a lot of folks that I don't get to see too often. Ardmore Police Chief, Doc Oliver, was there to lead the singing of the Christmas Carols, and he had Henry White, Jimmy Gill, Bill Daws, and me to help him sing. Jamie Cooper was there to tape the singing and will show it on the TV show tomorrow morning.

I met with our Recreation officials and a Councilperson to discuss the master plan for the Sportsplex this afternoon.
I went to choir practice tonight. We are getting near our Athens Christmas, and I have not memorized the words to all our songs.

Thursday morning I went to Athens State to hear Col. Pastorelli, who is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of Redstone Arsenal, speak about the progress of the BRAC move. Everything is on time and moving very well. It was a great opportunity for everyone in our community to be updated on the move. I talked with him after the program, and he agreed to come to Athens after the first of the year and be a guest on my radio show.

I met with a citizen who is concerned about problems concerning a city employee. These happenings occur sometime and I have to deal with the citizen, the employee, and the employee's superiors.

Kay and I went to the Middle School tonight to see our granddaughter Alex's Greek project. She and her class has an excellent presentation as a result of their studies about Greek Culture. One of their projects was to create a replica of the Parthenon. They did this from a paper mache base, and I thought it was an excellent representation of it.

I later went to Choir practice tonight. I did not get to attend the retirement reception of Cary Payne from Athens/Limestone Hospital which was held at Canebrake. I congratulate Cary upon his retirement, and look forward to seeing him from time to time.

Friday morning I met with city officials and engineers to discuss the results of tests that we had performed on a parcel of property.

I met with a citizen who is dissatisfied with being included in one of the historical districts.

I attended Sadie Roberts funeral at First Baptist Church at 11:00 this morning. This was a wonderful service for a wonderful lady. I got to hear Aaron Johnston speak about her, and Edwin Jenkins also made wonderful remarks about her. Our son Daniel had come for the funeral, and he, Kay, and I went to Clark's after the service for lunch. We enjoyed our visit with him.

I stayed in the office this afternoon writing my column for the Sunday paper, and also writing a proposal for the use of a parcel of property in downtown Athens.

Tonight we met the Whitt's at Catfish Cabin for supper. Two of our children and one of theirs came with us. We had a full table there and we all enjoyed our fellowship. It is always good to see these folks. We usually go to someone's home and visit after we go out, but not tonight. Everyone was ready to go home and get some rest.

Saturday morning I slept later than usual on the weekend. I had several errands to run for our family. Tonight we went to Ryland to watch Luke's basketball game at the school he attends. They lost by four points to a larger team, but stayed in the game all the way. We were very proud of him. His coach played for Alabama A&M, then played pro ball overseas for a few years.

After the game we went to Po Boy's in Huntsville for supper. We really enjoyed the food and atmosphere there tonight. The owner came out and talked with us while we watched Mark Ingram win the Heisman Trophy. The owners, Donnie and Marie, are huge LSU fans. The restaurant walls are covered with SEC football flags and pictures. He was very friendly with us and came to the table to talk with us. His food was very good.

Sunday morning we attended Sunday school and Church. Our lesson was good about living in stressful times. Brother Edwin had an excellent sermon about why God used sheep and Shepherds throughout the Bible, especially at the birth of Christ.

We all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch today. We spent the afternoon at home, dozing and watching football and movies on TV.
Kay and I went to Church tonight to hear our Senior choir present a Christmas recital of music. It was a very good program.

Monday morning I had Mac Martin our City Planner on my Monday Morning With The Mayor radio show. This was a great show because Mac is a new employee and citizen of Athens. He grew up in Plantersville which is located near Selma. He attended the University of South Alabama and received his undergraduate degree in Geography, then went to Auburn for his masters in city planning.

The City Council met in a regular session tonight and the following items of business received action from the Council:

1. Approved Wal Mart for the sale of alcohol.
2. Approved the purchase of a Card Reader System for the Police Department which will be paid totally by a grant.
3. Approved the submission of a grant application by the Fire Department for funds to pay total salary and benefits for five firemen.
4. Approved an increase in the utility deposit amount for customers.
5. Approved the final 2009 Water Department budget.
6. Approved the final 2009 Waste/Water Department budget.
7. Transferred the TV Cable Franchise from PTL to Knology.

Kay and I attended my Choir party tonight at our Church's Youth Center. Simply Delicious from Decatur catered the affair with wonderful food. The entertainment was the Alliance Quartet from Huntsville. This is one of the best quartets you will ever hear. If you have opportunity to hear them, be sure to go.

Tuesday morning I attended the Chamber Coffee at Founder's Hall. This event showcased the young ladies who were representing their schools for the Miss Merry Christmas Contest. I later went to WKAC for the regular radio show after each Council meeting. Kirk, Ken, and I had a great time today and discussed city business and memories of Christmas.

I went to Superior Bank for lunch today with Evan Thornton. They were having lunch for customers. Evan and I also went to Edward Jones Investments on Highway 72 for supper tonight. I called Kay and she came to go with me.

I attended the Planning Commission meeting tonight. The following items of business received attention from the Commission:

1. Held a public hearing regarding the subdivision of property for Dwight Billions.
2. Approved the subdivision of property for Dwight Billions.
3. Held a public hearing to consider conditional use of the old Health Department building by Sarrell Dental Center.
4. Approved conditional use of the old Health Department property for use of Sarrell for a Dental Center.
5. Held a public hearing to consider rezoning Spencer Property at Highway 72/Lucas Ferry Road from M-1 to B-3.
6. Approved sending recommendation for rezoning the Spencer property to the City Council.

Wednesday morning I attended another meeting with officials to discuss a project for our community. This was a good meeting and we accomplished quite a bit today. We will meet again soon.

Thursday morning we had an open house at City Hall for the employees and retired employees of the city. It was one of the best turn-outs we have ever had. I think most came to eat breakfast food and fellowship with others. I really enjoyed the time we had during the open house. I did talk with one of our Department Heads for some time after the event about the affairs of his department.

I went to the Council On Aging at lunch for their Christmas Program. They had tons of food, but I just took some of the dressing and chicken. I later went to Bobby Nixon's cabinet shop on Blackburn Road and had a half-bowl of deer stew. This is an annual affair for his family and workers. I think this was the best deer meat I have ever eaten. There were many folks there and I got to visit with Bobby's wife Peggy who is one of my cousins.

Tonight Kay and I attended the North Alabama Mayor's Association Christmas Party at the Joe Wheeler Lodge. We had a lot of Mayors and Councilpersons present for the party. The food was plentiful and good. The entertainment was one of the best bands you will ever hear. They are from Lawrence County and play old Rock and Roll and Pop.

Friday morning I went to the Annual Cooper and Company Christmas Show. We had a large crowd to turn out today in spite of the rain. There was plenty of good breakfast food for everyone. Jamie was crazy as ever, and everyone had a great time. Retiring Ardmore Police Chief, Doc Oliver, was there, and he and I sang Silent Night. I always enjoy seeing Doc anytime.

We had our Department Head/Mayor's luncheon today at City Hall. Our food came from Whitt's Barbecue. We had the chicken, beans, potato salad, and pecan pie. It was delicious. We played Dirty Santa after lunch. Most of the prizes were men things, but I got a set of place mats and napkins. We have an excellent group of Department Heads, and they do a good job for the citizens of our community.


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

Mayor Dan