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City of Childersburg approves a grant application for another new ambulance

Watch the meeting video &/or read the accounts of the meeting of the Childersburg City Council meeting held on Tuesday, January 7th at 6:00 p.m.

During their first regular meeting of the new year, The Childersburg City Council gave approval to Resolution 2025-01, which authorizes JMCM Consulting to submit a grant application for an ambulance and related equipment. The grant amount will be $385,000 with a local match of $41,249.97 and consulting fee.

In other new business, the Council approved a three-year agreement with Waste Recycling for equipment located at Hollywood Boulevard, along with a pricing schedule for the recycling material purchased by Waste Recycling. That is mostly cardboard as a service to local businesses, which typically generates about $4,000 per year more than the cost for the equipment.

That approval came in the form of Resolution 2025-02. Mayor Ken Wesson said, “It’s an important service provided to our business community. It pays for itself and then some for incidental expenses of the program.”

Wesson declared January 2025 as “Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month” in Childersburg.

The Council approved two year terms for the City Municipal Court Judges to run from January 7, 2025 to January 7, 2027. Lance Bell will again serve as the presiding Municipal Judge, and Erskine Funderburg will serve as part-time Municipal Judge.

Approval was given to a pair of training sessions for the Childersburg Police Department. Chief Keven Koss will attend the CLEEF course for certified executive law enforcement in Dothan on January 15 & 16. There is no registration fee, but there will be an expense for two nights lodging and per diem.

Micah Northcutt will attend the NRA Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor certification. That training will be held in Muscle Shoals April 21 through 25. There is an $850 registration fee along with five nights lodging and per diem.

The Council approved an advertisement with The Daily Home in their Government & Industry Update for a quarter-page color ad in the amount of $433.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $452,343.30. That includes several high dollar payments, such as City insurance premiums, a payment on the new Police and Judicial building construction, a payment to the state retirement system, as well as City employee health insurance premiums.

In an item added to the agenda, the Council approved up to $11,000 for the purchase, installation, and flags for a new 60-foot flag pole for the new Police and Municipal Court Building on Highway 280.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg Council will be held on Tuesday, January 21st at 6:00 p.m.

“Southern Trade Days” presents a fun family road trip to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame

Get ready for a great day filled with a wonderful mix of vendors, mouthwatering food trucks, live music, and fun for the kids with Billy Damon! It’s “Southern Trade Days” on Saturday, January 18th at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame!

Held inside the Fox Sports Dome at 3198 Speedway Blvd., next to the Talladega Speedway in Lincoln, there’ll be all kinds of vendors, offering everything from guy stuff to women’s categories, children’s items, and treasures both new or gently used. Whether you’re seeking something modern or vintage, hand made, brand new or more there’s sure to be something to catch your eye, appealing to folks of every age and taste.

And, don’t miss the sports cards, memorabilia and collectibles vendors hosted by The Flip Trade Show – perfect for all your man cave needs! There’ll be live music & entertainment from Mac & Cheese, Guntram Aderlik, and Montgomery Highway, plus special entertainment activities just for the younger crowd.

Childersburg native fashion designer is holding a Pop-up Show this weekend

Since his days as a college freshman, Childersburg native Arttravious Twyman has found a growing love for designing hot new fashion trends. The Stillman College marketing graduate has been holding successful “pop-up” shows on college campuses across the southeast.

This weekend, he’s showing some love for his hometown by holding a special holiday season show and sale in Childersburg, “I’m bringing my “SkyBlue Inspirational Clothing” line home to downtown Childersburg.

The name came to him as a slogan back in college, “It served as an inspiration to me, motivation to follow my passion and love for creating new fashions. It’s time to spread that love at home.”

Twyman chose the downtown event center, The Patio at 906 1st SW in Childersburg. He’ll be setting up shop for the day from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Indian Valley Elementary students enjoy “Operation Santa Drop”

The nearly 500 students at Indian Valley Elementary School were thrilled by an air-lift visit from Santa Clause Tuesday morning (12-17) to pick-up late Letters to Santa.

“It was an important stop on my schedule,” said Santa, “A lot of the students had not sent in their letters yet, so I scheduled a stop in Sylacauga. We had a bit of trouble with the sleigh, so the Lifesaver Helicopter crew stepped up to help, along with their fellow first responders in the area.”

Wade Pruitt, Manager of the Sylacauga Municipal Airport, who came up with the plan explained, “I remembered as a kid that a Birmingham helicopter pilot made such stops with Santa around the region. I talked with our Lifesaver 4 crew, and they said they’d be happy to join the project, as they suggested getting other area first responders involved, too. I’m so glad that everything came together, and the weather cooperated for a quite unique experience for the kids,”

Sylacauga Superintendent, Dr. Michele Eller was also on hand for the visit, “Things like this is why I came to Sylacauga in the first place, so many community partnerships coming together for the good of the community. Just look at all the smiles!”

In her capacity as a PTO Mom, Sylacauga City Councilman, Laura Barlow Heath added, “Such a magical time for our students, a time for smiles and joy to be treasured as lifetime memories.”

Santa presents a surprise check to the Sylacauga City Schools Foundation to help fund grant checks for teachers and classrooms!

Childersburg has adopted a new City Council re-districting plan

You can read the accounts of the latest Childersburg City Council meeting &/or watch the meeting video:

Last night, Tuesday, December 17th the redistricting plan from the East Alabama Regional Planning Commission for Childersburg became official Tuesday (12/17) with passage of Ordinance 1148.

The vote sets the Ward registered voter totals as follows:
Ward A – 956
Ward B – 978
Ward C – 943
Ward D – 946
Ward E – 931, with new residents in the new housing development, College Park, to be included once completed.

In the pre-meeting work session, the Mayor & Council announced a plan to schedule a paper-shredding and consumer electronics disposal event for March of the new year. Also discussed was a plan to lease leaf vacuuming equipment from ACTS, likely after the first of the year.

The Council adopted Resolution 2024-30, obligating the remaining $11,000 from the American Rescue Plan funds toward the Childersburg Police/Judicial Complex renovation project. It’s hoped that the project will be completed by the end of March, but it could take until May of the new year.

In the meantime, the Council approved use of the RS Limbaugh Community Center for Municipal Court until the new Complex is completed at 34011 US Highway 280.

Approval was given to three training requests for the Childersburg Police Department. Kristen Glenn will enroll in an on-line training session, “Conducting a Records Inventory and Purge” with an associated cost of $159. Chief Kevin Koss and Investigator Micah Northcutt will attend Command Leadership Training in Hoover from February 3rd through 7th. The cost will be $795 each including meal reimbursement, paid from Fu7nd 13 – Police Special.). Koss will attend the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) Winter Conference in Montgomery, February 9th through 13th. There is a $200 registration fee.

Deborah Morris was approved as a part-time temporary, as needed driver for the public transportation system at a rate of pay of $10 per hour. Mayor Ken Wesson noted that the two new transportation vans have been delivered and are already in service

The Council approved payment of invoices in the amount of $169,905.64.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 7th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

December birthdays often get lost in a busy holiday season – One did not!

Plus “scenes” from the GCV Chamber Coffee

Childersburg Police Chief Kevin Koss is one of many with a December birthday. And while it was his stated wish for his special day to “get lost” in the holiday shuffle like so many do, that wasn’t going to happen!

So, on December 10th his birthday was announced in public by GCV Chamber execuitive John Mark Freeman. Then fellow City workers Ami Burnett and Ada Hamilton led the crowd at the Chamber Coffee in singing, “Happy Birthday” to Chief Koss.

Sure, his face turned a bit red from the turn of events, but you’re loved and appreciated, and your special day officially recognized. Happy Birthday Chief Kevin Koss.

Scenes from the Coffee event:

‘Love Your School Alabama’ aids parents in using new school programs

By Jim Zeigler

The state of Alabama has set up several programs for families to use and pay for school options.

The CHOOSE Act

Education Scholarship Program

Alabama Accountability Act

Special Education Evaluations

Charter Schools

Each program has its own requirements, benefits and limitations. Any one program can prove a bit complicated for a family wanting to know their education options. Surveying all the programs and making sound decisions can be an even bigger challenge.

Now, citizens in Alabama have set up a non-profit to serve as a guide and assistant to families seeking to navigate the new and changing world of school options. 

Love Your School Alabama provides a website and Facebook page with frequently asked questions and one-on-one support.

Love Your School also produces a podcast titled “Bama Knows Education.” It can be accessed here.

The podcast is hosted by Sheila Bannister of Madison, the regional director of Love Your School.

To keep up with changes in the programs, a free e-mail update is available here.

Families needing one-on-one support about their situation can set that up at Love Your School, which has Parent Support Specialists available.

The organization describes itself on its site as follows:

Love Your School believes every family should be able to answer the question “do you love your school?” with a resounding “yes!” Love Your School Alabama celebrates education options and helps Alabama families navigate the Education (CHOOSE) Tax Credit, special education, school options and more. We take pride in offering one-on-one support to families, taking them from problem to solution.

Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. ÏHe is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].

A family Christmas tree farm in Alabama

By Jim Zeigler

Many folks think that Christmas trees cannot be grown in Alabama, that it takes the mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. Well, here is my story of growing one of Alabama’s early Christmas tree farms — the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm outside of Sylacauga.

My father, Bloise Zeigler, was raised on an 80-acre farm in the Russell Chapel area near Fayetteville in Talladega County. About 1951, he bought a 20+ acre farm in the Oak Grove community adjacent to Sylacauga for our growing family. You can’t make a living and support a family of six on 20 acres, so Bloise Zeigler worked full-time at Kimberly-Clarke Newsprint, now Resolute Forest Products, near Childersburg.

As Dad worked full-time, he also worked part-time on his small farm for additional income. Sometimes, a few cattle, chickens or hogs. Always wife Bernice Zeigler’s garden, including a cornfield and strawberry patch — my Mom with a green thumb.

After retiring from the newsprint plant, Bloise Zeigler wanted to utilize the family farm more. He turned to his unofficial adviser on all things agricultural. Dr. John Woodruff is married to my older sister, Ina (to those around Sylacauga, “Ina Gayle.”)  John Woodruff is an agricultural genius. Award-winning. The two minds got together and came up with it. Alabama’s soil and climate were perfect for growing Pinus Virginiana. Virginia Pines. Christmas trees.

Bloise and Bernice Zeigler started the area’s first “choose-and-cut” Christmas tree farm. It took just three years for Virginia Pine seedlings to become mature Christmas trees. A nickel seedling could become what then was a $15.00 to $30.00 Christmas tree (They can cost more now). Eastern Red Cedars and Leland Cypress trees were added to the gourmet selection of Christmas trees.

Plan the work and work the plan. By 1979, we were attracting families across East and Central Alabama. The families would make an outing of it. Bring the children and grandchildren. Get your saw from Bloise Zeigler. Rummage through the fields until you find the tree you like. Cut it. Take it up to the Zeigler barn, where you could shake the dead needles out using a “shaker” invented by cousin Mickey Zeigler. And wrap it in a netting using a gizmo invented by Mickey Zeigler, mechanical genius.

In 1996, a tree from the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm was selected as the official Christmas Tree of the Governor’s Mansion, adorning the inside of the mansion. That was the first time that something Zeigler-grown stayed in the Governor’s Mansion.

For 30 years, families from Birmingham to Auburn, from Gadsden to Clanton, came to the Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. It became a tradition. It was also a tradition for Bloise Zeigler to witness to the families about salvation through Jesus Christ, the true meaning of Christmas.

Nowadays, all that remains of The Zeigler Christmas Farm is that witness and the pleasant remembrances of thousands of families.

Do you know anybody over age 40 near the Sylacauga area? Ask them about the old Zeigler Christmas Tree Farm. And ask them about Bloise and Bernice Zeigler. You will be amazed at the Christmas stories they tell you. Old-fashioned Alabama Christmas stories. 

Jim Zeigler is former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].