Weekly letter Saturday, June 21, 2008 - Friday, June 27, 2008
Greetings from the Mayor’s office. I hope you have had a good week and that your weekend will bring a lot of fun and frolic for you and your family. I think it may be some rain, but we need that about as bad as anything I can think of. Be sure to read the calendar of events later in the letter to find you something to do.
Be sure to make your family’s plans to attend the fireworks show at the Athens High Stadium on the evening of July 4th. The calendar has all the times and events. The Athens Cruise In on the Square will also be on that evening. Look for the information about that event.
If you want to do something really different, consider the Buzz Estes 7:00 a.m. Historical Square Walk. I know that is early to get up on the 4th, but it will be worth it. Buzz Estes is himself a tourist destination for Athens, and one of the greatest guys you will ever meet. He is married to Doris Campbell, my fellow graduate of the 1960 Athens High School graduating class. She made him what he is today. If he had not met Doris he probably would be rich and single, not nearly as happy as he is today. He knows things about our community that no one else knows, and will give you enough information on this tour that will enable you to become a tour guide. You will enjoy the tour.
Saturday morning we slept a little late and had a late breakfast. I had a few errands to run, but it was sort of a lazy morning for me.
I went to Limestone Funeral Home to the visitation for the little infant grandchild of our Policeman, Anthony Pressnell. The little child did not survive the birth. This was their second grandchild and I hope you will remember this good family in your prayers.
Later I went to First Methodist Church for the funeral of Mildred Harris. Mildred was a teacher, retired from the Limestone County School System, and began her teaching career at the Trinity School that was located on Brownsferry Street. I had been asked by her family to speak at her service about her community involvement.
It was difficult to know what to say about her involvement because she was a part of everything going on in the community. I hope that I did adequately express the appreciation of our entire community for the love and support she gave to all of us.
Kay and I later did some grocery shopping and went to Charles’ house to see the family and spend a little time in the pool. Charles and I did a good bit of yard work at his place this afternoon.
Sunday morning we attended Sunday school and Church. We had good services and attendance, and our choir sang well. Our Director, Ryan Leffel, had just returned from Virginia where his Dad had undergone heart surgery and is doing very well. His health has not been the best lately, and we are all praying that he will improve quickly, and be back to a normal life.
Our kids came to our house for lunch, and it turned out to be everyone for himself. We had cold cut sandwiches and really enjoyed them. We went back to the pool this evening for a relaxing time. Kay and I went to Applebee’s for supper with Al and Susan Todd. This was an enjoyable time for us.
Monday morning I had a lot of business to attend to for the Council meeting tonight. This is always a busy time because there are last minute issues that arise, and must have some resolution to them.
Monday afternoon I went by Beasley Produce and picked up my new bicycle. I have been thinking about getting a bike for exercise and had been looking at prices for some time. The bike I purchased was a good bit less expensive than many I had seen. I rode it around the block several times and didn’t fall off it. I am looking forward to getting to ride more.
Monday evening the Council met at 4:00 p.m. for a work session. We went into an executive session to discuss some important business that has come up very suddenly. We had quite a bit of discussion in the work session about items on the agenda.
The Regular meeting began at 5:30 p.m. These actions were taken by the Council:
1. The Council tabled a resolution to amend the city’s Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual to include a revised travel and compensation policy, until the new Council is seated after the election.
2. Approved an Ordinance to approve the transfer of an unneeded easement back to Murphy Cotton Company.
3. Approved a resolution to approve the sale of alcohol for Express 99 located at 18120 Highway 99. This is just a change of ownership.
4. Approved an Ordinance to approve the lease of one College Inn building to the KALB.
5. Approved a $150.00 travel advance for the Fire Department.
6. Adopted revised job descriptions for GIS Coordinator for Public Works and Building Inspection Engineer.
7. Amended Ordinance 888 to add GIS Coordinator and Building Inspector Engineer to the list of classified jobs.
8. Approved a resolution to fund the new Robotics Center for one million dollars. The funding will be paid at a rate of $250,000 per year for four budget years, beginning in this fiscal year.
9. Approved the FY 2009 Electric Department budget. The budget’s proposed revenue is $88,350,604, and the expected expenses is $87,898,329, for a $452,275 net proposed budget.
This budget will include drawing $1,400,000 from the department’s reserves to replace substation transformers and rework Athens District Substation. This project is much-needed, and will improve service to customers.
10. Approved the bid for relocation of Electric facilities related to the I65 Tanner Interchange. This cost of $105,740.54 will be reimbursed by the Alabama Department of Transportation.
11. Approved the bid to replace the roof at the Utility Headquarters building to roof Craft Systems. The original bid was $1,023 580 and was much higher than the estimate. A cost breakdown was negotiated and several items were eliminated without materially affecting the job. The new negotiated price is $805,136,68.
12. Approved travel expense of $300.56 for the Electric Department.
13. Awarded the bid and contract for the Nichols Drive Sewer Project. The price is $176,420 for the project.
14. Appropriated $86,450 from the Wastewater Infrastructure Fund for the Nichols Drive Sewage Pumping Station Project.
15. Authorized a sewer easement from the City of Athens to the Wastewater Department at Fitness Way.
16. Approved $2,022.97 travel expenses for the Water Department.
17. Approved $2632.95 travel expenses for the Gas Department.
One lady spoke to the Council for the second time about the Willowbrook Apartments across the street from the Middle School. There are several buildings in this complex, and all have been sold to different owners. There is no manager on site at any of the buildings and it causes many problems for the residents of the complex. I told the Council that we are working on an Ordinance that should allow us to require a complex of this size to have an on-site manager.
After I got home from the Council meeting, I had a good visit with my neighbors, John and Aggie Crews. They are having a decorative concrete company beautify the porch, sidewalk, and driveway at their house.
Tuesday morning I met with Department Heads about the downtown parking plan. We continue to have complaints from business owners and others about our current situation. Business has increased and more folks are downtown. Our meter maid enforces the parking limits and this does not make folks happy. We are going to look at some similar towns to see if there are any new ideas or plans that may be more helpful than what we are currently doing.
I also met with Councilwoman Caudle and employees about the renovation of our old Power Plant building that is located in the Big Spring Park. This building was built in 1906 when M.K. Clements was Mayor of Athens. This was the first power plant in our city, and we want to preserve it in a historical condition. The building structure seems to be very sound. There will have to be a good bit of inside cosmetic work to put it into good condition.
I went to WKAC for my usual radio talk show this morning. We had a good discussion about several subjects.
Kay and I had lunch today at LuVivi’s with Mark and Phyllis Whitt. The restaurant was doing a good business today. We really enjoyed our lunch with these dear friends.
I spent the afternoon dealing with city business. We have developed an Ordinance and will be submitting it to the Council at the next meeting to require apartment complexes to have on-site office managers.
Kay carried our Athens grand kids to see our Huntsville grand kids. Asa wants to have his hair cut the same as Luke, so Whitney made arrangements for Asa to be carried to Luke’s barber by Daniel’s wife Kara.
I met tonight with a dozen citizens that are interested in establishing a dog park in Athens. We discussed the idea of a park in Athens and everything agrees that it would be an asset to our town. Some of the folks attending have not been in our community for a long time, and they have experiences with parks in other communities. Everyone thought that the best park we could have would be very simple. Just keep in mind that it is a place for the animals to run free and be with their owners. We also discussed naming the park for the Whitt family that has donated money to the city for many years for use in caring for animals. This family has been modle citizens for our community and I think it is fitting that we use some of their monies to honor them in a way that will establish a safe place for pet owners and their pets.
We had new citizens of our community at tonight’s dog park meeting. Bill and Carol Neilsen live out west of town in Stone Valley, at the corner of Glaze Road and Quinn Road. They moved here from about one hundred miles south of Tampa, Florida. They love Athens and said this is their last stop. They have lived many places. Helen and Dane Phillips live on McCulley Road, and have only been here a few weeks. They are from the Bowling Green, Kentucky, area. Susan Kaufer was there, and I dont know exactly where she lives now, but I do know she came here from the Houston, Texas area.
I rode my new bicycle to and from City Hall tonight for the meeting. It took me about 15 minutes to ride from my house, and it was a lot of fun. I have not ridden in many years, and this bike is great for an old man like me. When I left City Hall to come home, I rode up around the Courthouse Square, and it brought back a lot of childhood memories of riding my bike with the McAlisters and other Coleman Hill gang members.
I stopped and talked with my neighbor Red Hargrove tonight. He and his wife were out cleaning out Red’s workshop. She was doing all of the work and Red was talking to all the neighbors who were out walking.
They have secured a different van that is equipped with all the necessary to accommodate Red’s wheel chair. He said the cost of gas was killing him because they travel quite a bit to different sections of Tennessee to visit family. He gets much better gas mileage with this van. He has the other van for sale, and it just has fifty thousand miles on it. It is in excellent condition, so if you need to look at it, come on over to our neighborhood to see it.
I saw in the news today that Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody has been chosen to receive her fourth star — that of a full general officer — and to be the next commanding general of the Army Materiel Command, or AMC. That command directly oversees the Army Aviation and Missile Command, or AMCOM, on Redstone. Dunwoody now serves as AMC’s deputy commanding general and chief of staff. The Army Materiel Command, slated to move here by 2011, will be the highest general officer’s posting on Redstone. Depending on Dunwoody’s length of time as AMC commanding general, she could be the first four-star general posted to Redstone.
Wednesday morning I ate breakfast at the Washington Street Diner with Evan Thornton and Jarrod Hester. We discussed some of the financial business of the city. I saw Jack Allen, Bill Nelson, and Marvin Neal Todd having breakfast.
We had our Employee Awards Luncheon today at City Hall. Those receiving pins to commemorate their years of service were:
5 years- Marty Tyler, Electric
Todd Stovall, Street
Tony Clemons, Cem., Parks, Rec.
Jay Looney, Police
10 years- Sharon Seay, Human Resources
Raymond Calder, Gas
Gregory Parnell, Police
David Andrews, Fire
Trevor Harris, Police
Marcus Vance, CPR
15 years- Bernard Hammonds, Building Services/San
Mary Powere, Police
20 years- Police Chief, Wayne Harper
Carlos Kennemer, Electric
James Lannom, Electric
25 years- Susan Downs, Finance
Mike Webster, Customer Service
30 years- Henry Brown, Gas Department
Six of these personnel also received a safety award:
Susan Downs
Carlos Kennemer
Mary Powers
Bernard Hammonds
Raymond Calder
Marty Tyler
I later went to the City Attorney’s office and signed the papers to close on the Kroger Property. This building and property is now owned by the City. The city paid $585,000 plus a 10% buyer’s premium for the property at auction.
I later met with County officials to talk about fire protection of Athens citizens south of Athens. I also met with a citizen this afternoon who has problems with the recent fire tax passed by the county voters.
Kay and I ate a quick dinner at Charles’ house tonight. I later attended choir practice, and I think we had a hundred present tonight. I saw Jan Morris at choir tonight. She told me that she enjoyed reading my letters. Jan is married to Larry. She is the daughter of Reg and Kat Britt. Jan teaches Sunday school and has our granddaughter, Kaleigh in her class. Our Church will be having the Annual Reg Britt Memorial Golf Tournament at Wheeler Golf Course on Saturday, July12. This tournament was started by Reg’s friend who played with him. Our Church misses Reg.
Thursday morning I attended the Chamber of Commerce Monthly Board meeting. Dr. Denver Betts, the Chairman, ran the meeting well. We had reports from several committee members, and passed the budget for the coming year. Jeanette Dunivant gave a good tourism report and really pushed the upcoming Delmore Days.
After the meeting I met for a while with Hugh Ball and Tom Hill to talk about transportation in our community. We are going to get some of our people together to discuss the future needs regarding roads and transportation routes.
I went to Woodroof’s law office to close the sale of the surplus fire station. This went smoothly and did not take too long to complete. The city will receive $242,000 for this building.
I spent some time in the office this morning catching up on correspondence with citizens and the Council.
Kay and I had lunch with our grand kids, Alex and Asa at home today. Kay is feeling much better. She has had severe pain with her knee and hip for the past few days.
I checked on a few of our city’s projects this afternoon. The ditch behind the houses on Missy Leigh Lane looks very good. I think our folks did a good job on this.
Kay and I ate supper again tonight at Charles’ house and visited with him for a while.
Looking for something to do this weekend? Scroll down and you’ll find plenty to do right here at home in Limestone County. It’s Happening in Limestone County!
Today:
27-Jun at 11 AM - 3 PM - Superior Banks Presents Celebration to Honor Our Soldiers Superior Bank parking lot, Hwy 72 E, free food, games, inflatable games, live entertainment by “The Golden Age Rhythm Band”, football toss, duck pond, dunking booth, photos, and more. Call 256-232-0503 for more information.
This weekend
28 June at 10:00 AM (This is the last Saturday tour this year – However; there will be a special Friday, July 4th , Historical Square Walk with guide Buzz Estes at 7:00 AM for those who were not able to attend our Saturday walks.) – Free Saturday walking tours. 120 folks have taken the walk so far this year. Meet at the Clinton Street Limestone County Courthouse Annex Parking Lot at 9:45 AM to meet up with the guides, Buzz Estes, Richard Martin, Billy Ward, Bill Swindell, Tom O’Hara or William Pepper. Each tour is approximately one hour long. There are three different walks ((1) Historical Square Walk, (2) Washington Street, City Cemetery & Big Spring Memorial Park, and (3) Athens State University & Veterans Museum for which to choose. 256-232-5411
28-Jun at 5 PM– Ardmore Boys and Girls Club and Ardmore Lions Club Lawnmower Race at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park, Admission is $3 and children under 6 free. Concession will be available. If you have never seen a lawn mower racing at a speed of up to 50 mph, join the Bama-Tenn Mower Racing Association in Ardmore. For more information call Diane Fowler or Bill Morrow or email rainey@pclnet.net.
28 Jun – Miss Limestone County Pageant and The Ugly Walk will be at the Athens Limestone Senior Center to commemorate Jana Grace Wakefield. Proceeds go to the UAB Children’s Hospital. Entry fee is $10 for the Ugly Walk. For more information call Melissa at 256-729-6541 or 256-431-0885
28 Jun at 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Anime Fest at the Athens-Limestone Public Library for eight years and older. Admission is an Athens-Limestone Public Library card and one canned good. All canned goods will be donated to the local food bank. 256-232-1233 or www.athenslimestone.lib.al.us
28 Jun at 6 & 8:30 PM – The Red Caboose Writers Night featuring Jimmy Melton, Kerry Kurt Phillips & Phil O’Donnell in downtown Elkmont, AL. For reservations call 256-306-6201. $20 at the door.
28 Jun at 10:30 AM – 4 PM – 2nd Annual Charles Holt Memorial Blood Drive at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot in Elkmont. Free hotdogs and drinks and other prizes.
July Events
July 4th at 3 PM – Reliance Bank Fire Cracker Festival at Athens High School. Each July, as darkness falls over the Tennessee Valley, a familiar tradition gets underway. Join Reliance Bank on July 4th at the Athens High School Stadium in Athens, Alabama, for the annual Reliance Bank Fire Cracker Festival. It’s much more than a fireworks show, it’s a celebration of our nation’s independence. Bring the family early for games, live music and concessions. Fireworks begin at dusk. For more information call 256-233-8585 Extension 4# or visit www.reliancebanking.com.
4 July at 4-9 PM – Athens on the Square Cruise In – all cars, trucks & motorcycles of interest are welcome. Sponsored by LuVici’s Restaurant located in the historic U G White Hardware building located on Jefferson Street who will be open with specials. Special Cruise In menu includes 12 oz ribeye dinner - $17.99; shrimp scampi dinner $12,99; 8 oz certified Angus beef cheeseburger with fries and beverage $6.99 and each dinner served with a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream on the house for the cruise in night only! For more information call Jerry at 256-777-1964, Tom at 256-457-9179 or Bland at 256-603-1227.
July 11th - 12th will be the 6th Annual Clements Rodeo at the Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Arena, Hwy 99, and Athens, AL. Tickets are adults: $10 advance and $12 at the gate; children $8 advance and $10 at the gate; and preschool are admitted free. For more information call 256-729-1824 or 256-729-6564.
The 21st Annual Greater Tennessee Valley Antique Car and Harley Davidson Show will be July 12th at 8 AM – 4 PM at the Delphi Saginaw Plants Hwy 31 South. Vehicle Qualifications: (1) American and Foreign Cars Through 1981 Only and (2) American Trucks Through 1981 Only. For more information call 256-303-4762 or 256-773-9652.
July 18th & 19th will be the 1st Annual Delmore Days Bluegrass Festival, which will honor our own famous Delmore Brothers (Alton and Rabon) who were on the Grand Ole Opry form 1930 to 1937 will be at Athens State University Beasley Field. The gates open on Friday at noon and on Saturday at 9:00 AM. Admission is $5.00 and children under 12 years will be $2.00. There will be all day live entertainment, games for the children, arts and crafts, food vendors and other items. The event is planned as an “old fashion trade day”. If you have home grown vegetables, handmade items, miscellaneous items or want to promote your events or business, booth spaces are available for $60.00. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the tribute to the Delmore Brothers. Delmore family members will be present to talk with you and tell you about their father and uncle. Groups performing will be playing some of the Delmore Brothers music. It will be a fun event for the entire family. An entertainment schedule and information about the Delmore Brothers is on the website - www.delmoredays.com. The 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) male vocalist of the Year, Athens’ own Bradley Walker, will be the headline act and will perform at 8:00 PM. For more information call 256-232-5411 or visit www.delmoredays.com.
The 20th Annual CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament will be July 19th at Swan Creek Park, Hwy 31. This is one of the favorite annual events held here in Athens. There is a $15 per player fee but it is free for spectators. Sign up your team soon! For more information call 256-232-5751 or casa44@bellsouth.net.
Notice: The Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival, at the corner of Forrest and Beaty Streets in Athens is open and will be open every weekend through August 9th. Hours are 6:30pm - 9:30pm, with rides, concessions and bingo. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights June 26th-July 25th(closed July 3rd & 4th) and Friday and Saturday Nights August 1st-9th. Call 256-232-1296 or 2596-508-4743 for more information.
Friday morning I was busy as a bee in the office with correspondence, calls, and visits from citizens.
I went to the new Cotton States Insurance office for a ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce at 10:00 a.m. This office is located on Highway 31, in the complex where LeAnne’s Florist is located. It is a nice office and the people are very nice. Go by and see them for your insurance needs.
Kay and her friends went to Ruby Tuesday’s for lunch today to celebrate Susan Todd’s birthday. I can’t tell you how old Susan is today because she will get me. The always do this on each other ’s birthday. One of our friends, Linda Ricketts, did not get to attend because her Mom, Ms. Murdock, is very low at the Limestone Health Facility. I wish you would pray for Linda and Don, and all their family during this time. They are a wonderful family that means a lot to our community.
Susan and Al are going to Nashville this weekend to celebrate her birthday, and also shop for some items they haven’t found for their up-coming trip to Ireland. Etna and Willard Sherrod will also be going on the trip. I’m not sure the day they leave, but it is very soon. Willard is always asking me to cut taxes and increase services to Athens. The Sherrods and Todds are members of our Sunday school class, and I hope they behave on the trip to Ireland. I would hate for them to wire us for bail money while they are there.
I carried Alex and Asa to lunch at Pizza Hut today, then to the movie to see, “Get Smart.” The parking lot was full when I let them out at 1:00 p.m. I have to go back at 3:00 to get them, and they always want to go to the historical,” Kreme Delite.” The Kreme Delite would be a good place for everyone to stop by this hot weekend.
I guess this is enough for this time. Take care and I’ll see you next time. mayordan
