Mayor's weekly blog
Weekly Letter Wednesday, April 30, 2008 – Sunday, May 4, 2008
Greetings from the Mayor's office. I hope you had a good
weekend, and that you and your family had fun doing whatever you
found to do.
Wednesday morning I met with a Verizon cell phone dealer about
changing phone services. The current phone I have does not pick
up a good signal here in City Hall. I have to go outside to use
the phone and I can’t take the time to do that.
Wednesday afternoon I attended the opening of Dr. Jon Turner’s
office complex on the third floor of the Athens/Limestone
Hospital. The Chamber of Commerce did the ribbon cutting. Many
folks turned out for this event. Dr. Turner had retired from
practice in recent years, but saw fit to go back into practice
here in Athens.
Wednesday evening our Sunday school teacher, Larry Hicks, met
with some of our members to do some re-organizing in order to
share more of the responsibilities rather than have Larry and
his wife, Susan, responsible for everything. Our class of about
seventy members is divided into six care groups.
Each care group has a couple as care group leaders that are
responsible for the four or five couples in the group. Kay and I
are leaders for one group, and we contact them from time to time
to minister to their needs or to report needs to the entire
class. We have been doing well with our class activities, but we
feel we need the re-organization to insure no member is
overlooked when they need attention.
We will have a care group director, an outreach leader, a
fellowship leader, a prayer minister, a secretary, and any other
positions the class feels are necessary to make a better class.
One thing we hope to have soon will be a class directory for
members use, especially new members. We love our Sunday school
class members, and have made many dear friends by being
associated with the class.
I later attended Choir practice and we rehearsed the songs we
did at the concert on Sunday night. We will be doing this
concert again in one of the Decatur Churches in July.
Thursday morning I met with two Council members and our
Economic Development Director, and our attorney to discuss the
business of a prospective industrial customer. There are many
things involved in working to secure an industry within our
community. We hope this effort will be successful and bring new
jobs into our town.
Later in the morning the City Council met in special session and
had a closed session to discuss personnel matters of the City.
I had a dental appointment and was not able to attend the
special meeting. Dr. Corum re-worked a root canal that was
performed about four years ago. There was an abscess forming and
I was in plenty of pain. The process took a little more than an
hour, and I had to have plenty of pain killers to get through
this procedure.
I really felt like the Med Flight should have picked me up and
carried me to the emergency room. Dr. Corum had told me the
shots for pain that had to be placed in the roof of my mouth
would be very painful, and he was correct.
I went from the Dentist's chair straight to City Hall to take a
pain pill, then to the Courthouse Steps on the east side for the
National Day of Prayer service. We have had this service every
year since I have been Mayor. This was the sixteenth service and
it was organized by the local Ministerial Association. I have
organized the service every year, but I asked the Association to
handle it last year because I thought they could get more folks
involved through their Churches.
There was a good crowd present for the service. The theme for
this year was "Prayer! America's Strength and Shield. Wade Batts,
a member of Athens First Baptist Church, sang the National
Anthem. Those leading the prayers this year included: myself;
Police Chief, Wayne Harper; Pat Brewer, Director of Limestone
County Churches Involved; Cliff Christopher, our Fire Chief; Dr.
Barry Carroll, Superintendent of Limestone County School System;
Col Tim Mitchell, United States Army; Ron Curin, CEO, Express
Auto Services; Don Heinkel, Physician of Athens; John Holley,
Assistant Pastor, New Life Assembly of God; Rev. Greg Lauderback,
Pastor, West Highland Baptist Church; and Kathleen Phraner,
member of New Life Assembly sang the Lord's Prayer.
I was in extreme pain during the service and could hardly remain
still through it. As soon as the service was completed, I went
home for about one hour for a nap until my toothache was
diminished. It took about thirty minutes after I took the second
pill for the pain relief to set in for me. I really felt like a
new man when the pain went away.
I went to the local hospital for a meeting with members of the
hospital administration, and city and county officials. We had a
good discussion about items of business related to the hospital.
I spent the remainder of the afternoon in the office working on
correspondence and other business of the city. One item of
business is the auction of surplus items that will be held at
the sportsplex Friday morning.
Kay had a wonderful dinner of cornbread, pinto beans, broccoli,
and chicken tonight. We were alone and had a great dinner and
good conversation. After dinner we continued our conversation
while riding out to the sportsplex to see if the auction items
were line up and ready. We talked with the auctioneers, Dick
Chittam and John Stewart. The sportsplex was filled with people
watching the boys play baseball and several adults playing
soccer. We checked on some other projects around town. I did not
have to take any more pain medication for my tooth, but I did
continue taking the antibiotics Dr. Corum prescribed for me.
We also visited with our daughter, Whitney and her family. They
had been to Asa's baseball game at the sportsplex. He told me
they won the game tonight. He played second base the entire game
and was involved in a triple play.
Friday morning I ate breakfast at LuVici's with Evan Thornton,
Bill Matthews, and John McClain. I always enjoy being with these
young men, and I gain a lot of knowledge from being around them.
At 9:00 I went to the new Superior Bank on Highway 72 for their
opening day ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce. Linda
Griggs is the Manager for the new bank. Linda has been in the
banking business for more than twenty years and is a great
choice for this bank. The wife of Brother Pat Lawrence, Pastor
of Berea Baptist Church, is a teller at this bank.
I later went to the City surplus auction at the Sportsplex at
10:00. There was a large crowd of folks and John Stewart and
Dick Chittam did a good job with the sale of surplus equipment.
Evan Thornton and I were at the sale until most of the large
items sold. The weather looked as if it would rain any minute,
but it did clear up and the sale went off without a hitch.
Kay and I had lunch at the Washington Street Diner today. We
had a great cheeseburger with fries. We saw Bill and Blanche
Storey and they were on the way to Gadsden to see their
grandson, Conner, and the Athens Bible School Baseball team play
in the State Quarter-Finals. They are very proud of this
grandson. We also saw Rhonda and Roger Andrews there. I have
known Rhonda since she was a baby and attending Market Street
Church with her parents and brother Randy Price. Rhonda is one
of the finest young women I have ever known. Bill Nelson and
Jack Allen were also having lunch today at the diner.
We went to Rogersville and had dinner tonight at the new
restaurant. Wayne and Vonnette Harper went with us. We came back
to our house for a visit.
Saturday morning I attended the Veteran' Coffee Call at the
Veteran's Museum this morning. There was a large crowd
attending. Dr. Mancuso was there campaigning for our District
Congressional Seat. I always see Sam Gibbons at the Coffee Call.
He always asks about Kay whenever he sees me. Several years ago
when Kay was the receptionist at the local Health Department,
Sam was one of the volunteers who came a couple of days each
week to help out around the office. He and Kay liked each other
and became good friends.
I also took a box of old records to Calhoun College this morning
to have them shredded by the Better Business Bureau. They were
doing this event to call attention to identity theft. This was a
great idea, and no one will get my old records with critical
information on them.
Kay and I later planted some hydrangeas she purchased yesterday
at Lowe’s. These need to be shaded part of the day and this is
difficult for our yard because we have no big trees as yet. I
think we did get them slipped in among other plants that will
give them what they need. These plants grow to a huge size and
have beautiful flowers on them.
We went by the Athens Bible School's Homespun for a while to see
the arts and crafts. Kay purchased some new jewelry from Betty
Sulcer Cox, my Athens High School classmate. Betty makes jewelry
and is involved in the festival type vending of her products.
Kay had purchased from her before. I had stopped to talk with
Betty's brother-in-law, Stanley Hinkle, and Kay spent all my
money. I always enjoy talking to Stanley, but this conversation
cost me money. Betty said you just had to walk off from Stanley
to get away from him, but I stayed too long this time.
We were back and forth from home to town today, and went by
Beasley Field at Athens State University several times. Today is
Soulstock and there were thousands of young people there this
afternoon and tonight.
We had a hamburger tonight for dinner. Our son Charles came and
ate with us.
Sunday morning we attended Sunday school and Church. We had a
full house for both. We are studying Genesis in Sunday school
and are presently on the story of Joseph and his brothers.
Brother Jenkins had a good sermon today.
Kay, Dinah, and I went to Quiznoes for a sandwich today at
lunch. I saw one of the guys who work with the Soulstock
organization at the sandwich shop, and he estimated that the
crowd reached at least 15,000. He said they met the budget for
the show, and they experienced no problems from those attending
the show.
I went to the open house for our new fire station this afternoon
at 2:00. We had more than four hundred folks show up for the
event. We had our fire equipment on display, the Med Flight
helicopter made an appearance, and Steve Carter and his crew
grilled some delicious hot dogs and polish sausages. One of the
Huntsville TV stations made an appearance, and the Cooper and
Company team was on the scene.
Our family spent the remainder of the afternoon together and had
pizza from Papa John’s for supper. Charles was late getting to
supper because he works part-time for Lowe’s here in Athens.
Phyllis, Mark, and Joy Whitt came by for a visit tonight. Mark
and Phyllis worked at the Soulstock last night and they
estimated the crowd to be around 15,000.
Keep in mind that we will be having a household hazardous waste
collection on May 31, 2008, from 8:00 to 1:00. This will take
place at the old Recycling Center on Steward Drive. This is the
street that runs along side Roselawn Cemetery. Look for the
announcements of what you can turn in at this event.
Events to look forward to:
10-May - all day - Annual Postal Workers Can Food Drive -
Sponsored by the Alabama-Limestone Food and Shelter Program,
hang food on your mailbox, 256-230-6311
14-May - Ardmore Police Memorial Ceremony & Lunch with Speaker
Judge Bobby Sands, Ardmore TN Annex, 256-423-2146
15-May at 7:00 PM - Limestone Sheriff Rodeo Street Dance,
Downtown, Athens, AL, http://limestonesheriffrodeo.com. Live
entertainment provided by Jeff Whitlow and the Old Barn Band.
This is fun for the entire family.
16-May at 6:30-8:30 PM - Singing on the Square featuring Rocket
City Chorus and 'Lil Heart and Soul, Downtown Athens, AL,
256-232-5411. Bring your lawn chair or blanket to the square and
enjoy the FREE entertainment. Come early and have supper at one
of the restaurants on the square. www.tourathens.com
16-17 May at 8:00 PM - Limestone Sheriff Rodeo at the Sheriff's
Rodeo Arena, Hwy 99, Athens, AL, http://www.limestonesheriffrodeo.com/.
You don’t want to miss "the largest outdoor rodeo east of the
Mississippi." Over $50,000 in prize money and PCA “Best Rodeo of
the Year” will be awarded.
17-May at 7:30 AM - Three Person Scramble Golf Tournament hosted
by Limestone County Churches Involved, Sponsored by Lindsay Lane
United Appear Fund, Inc, at Southern Gayles Golf Course,
Limestone County, AL, 256-230-9770 or 256-232-0020
31-May at 10 AM- 2 PM - Strolling garden tour in historic
downtown Athens, Hosted by Friends of the Athens Limestone
Public Library, 256-732-4641
I guess this is enough for this time. Take care and I’ll see you
next time.
Mayor Dan
All of the local
'Events & Activities'
can be found on AthensPlus.com,
with contact information and full details.
www.athensplus.com/tourismhighlight_may.htm
