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Oak Grove Town Council meeting – 5/20/2025

Due to a scheduling conflict with the 2025 Alabama League of Municipalities Convention, the May meeting of the Oak Grove Town Council was postponed to Tuesday, May 20th with the following items covered.

In Old Business, the Senior Center and Pavilion Rental Agreement was revised, combining the revisions and the policy on standing reservations into one new rental agreement form, and pending review and approval from the town legal counsel.

Under New Business, Kevin Couch advised the council that the Global Atlantic account had reached the time limit for the guaranteed rate, and the interest rate would decrease to 0.5% for the next year. Couch offered options for investment. After discussion, the council opted to remove the funds from the Global Atlantic account and open a new Athene account and add an additional amount to bring the total investment to $400,000. The rate for investment is 5% for 5 years.

In other business, The council reviewed two quotes received regarding testing the work done on Gantts Junction Road. Legal counsel provided guidance on moving forward. After discussion, no action was taken on the quotes, and the contractor will be permitted to make repairs as needed to the pavement.

The Council discussed the Town Hall HVAC unit and recent repairs. The decision was made to wait until the unit breaks to order new replacement unit, with no action taken.

The Council discussed options presented on an Arete renewal. The decision was made to renew for 36 months at $25 per endpoint versus $26.50 for a 12-month renewal.

The Council unanimously agreed to make no changes to participation in the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, so no action was necessary.

Separate motions were approved to pay expenses for sewer force main repair, as well as electrical costs for sewer flow meter disconnect and reconnect.

An item to approve payment of electrical costs to replace existing electrical panel on the East Side Well was tabled over the lack of detail in the invoice.

Town Attorney, Faith Adam stated they were preparing to enforce the order against the Campbell property for zoning violations again. The property was cleared on April 1, but he has started accumulating junk vehicles again and working on vehicles, thus operating a business without a license.

Ms. Adam then gave the council an update on property owned by Samuel Webb, who is receptive to giving the property to the town in exchange for tax credits/benefit. His only stipulation so far is an easement for access to properties in his control located behind the property to be transferred to the Town of Oak Grove.

Councilman David Harris provided a review of the AL League of Municipalities Conference held in Huntsville May 13 through 15. Harris said he met with a vendor called Southcon Lighting, about LED lighting for the park. He also met with a representative from Safeguard and discussed festival fundraising and committee membership with the representative, suggesting setting up a festival meeting. Harris also brought up the concept of the town proactively adopting an ordinance to exempt certain items from sales tax, mentioning that the move could be used as a marketing tool to attract grocery stores.

Council member Mary Carter asked about paving over the road where the sewer pipe caved in. The road will be paved once the earth settles for a stable bed for the pavement.

Frank Young of the Sewer Board reported that disconnect notices were being reviewed by the town’s legal counsel.

Childersburg prepares to put grant funds to work to expand roads in the Industrial Park for two major industrial expansions

Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the full meeting video below:

With ADECA grant funds set to expand roads in the Childersburg Industrial Park for industrial expansion, the Childersburg Council passed Resolution 2025-07 which approved Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood, Insite Engineering, and Utility Engineering Consultants to provide services on an as-needed basis through December, 2027. Those services will be necessary for the road work to facilitate a pair of major industrial expansions from Cooper Steel and Blair Block.

The Childersburg Council approved four requests from the Police Department. Chief Kevin Koss will attend the Alabama Association of Chiefs of Police Conference the first week of August in Orange Beach. Expenses approved include a $200 registration fee, lodging, and per diem.

Approval was given to add Kristian Glenn and Christian Blair as full time permanent police cadets, pending APOST requirements being met. The two new officers will attend the Anniston Northeast Law Enforcement Academy August 25th through November 25th this year. Their pay rate will be $16 per hour, and upon completion of the academy, the pay rate will increase to $17.50 per hour.

Payton Haisten was approved as Code Enforcement Officer for the Police Department at a rate of $14 per hour. The Council also approved to advertise for an opening for a Police Records clerk.

The Council approved $16,406.93 for five new sets of turn-out gear for the Childersburg Fire Department from American Emergency Products, paid from Fund 65- Direct Support. Also gaining approval was the hire of Howard O’Neal as part-time temporary, as-needed Fire/Medic at a rate of $16 per hour.

Payment of invoices were approved in the amount of $208,961.05

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg City Council will be held on June 3rd, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Childersburg Council meeting report for May 6, 2025

Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below:

The Childersburg City Council opened their Tuesday, May 6th meeting with approval for a pair of resolutions concerning grants. Resolution2025-05 approves creation of a revised purchasing policy and code of ethics to meet regulations for federal grant funs.

Resolution 2025-06 approves Keven Kessler of Community Consultants to make application for an Economic Development Grant for improvement and installation of an access road on Industrial Park property to accommodate growing traffic for a pair of expanding industries – Cooper Steel and Blair Block.

The Council approved notice publication of the upcoming Municipal Election in The Daily Home on June 11th, 2025 in the amount of $86.40.

Also approved was a full-page color ad in The Daily Home’s2025 First Responders:”Our Heros on the Homefront” in the amount of $1,288.50, paid from Fund 23.

The Council approved an important security measure for the new Municipal Court Building, the purchase of a PD-6500i Metal Detector ADA Package installed at the court entrance located at 34011 US Highway 280. The cost will be $8,010 from Fund 11 – Municipal Corrections.

The Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up for Summer Day Camp with approval to hire two lead day camp counselors at a rate of $10 per hour, as well as 17 counselors at $8.50 per hour. Shifts will be assigned on a rotation basis.

The Council approved AIS to install five security cameras at the Rainwater House at a cost of $2,795, as well as a pair for the Rainwater Library at a cost of $2,075, paid from Fund 65 – Direct Support.

Invoice payments were approved in the amount of $208,030.41.

The subject was brought up about the debris build-up on the Tallahatchie Creek Bridge on Plant Road that causes issues into nearby residential areas. Mayor Ken Wesson reported Wednesday morning that he had been in contact with R.J. Corman Railway, the company responsible for the bridge maintenance. Wesson reported that a clean-up has been scheduled to take place in the next two weeks.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg City Council will be held on May 20th at 6:00 p.m.

GCV Chamber welcomes “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg with a Ribbon-Cutting

The Greater Coosa Valley Chamber, along with friends, family, and community members officially welcomed “Another Level Cards” to downtown Childersburg last week. It is owned and operated by Maddie Pagan and Conner Ogle.

The shop is located at #4 8th Avenue SW in downtown Childersburg, with a great selection of collectibles, including all sorts of sports cards – MLB, NFL, and NBA. They have a lot of autographed memorabilia, plus bobble-heads, and jerseys.

“I’ve been a collector since I was 10-years-old,” explained Ogle of his interest in collectibles, “ and having my own retail outlet for collectibles has been a longtime dream of mine.”

Pagan and Ogle are assisted by Austin Allen, the resident expert on everything Pokemon and more, “I’m working on adding One-Piece and Magic of the Gathering collectibles, too.”

Although kids love the new store, there is a decidedly adult following that understands both the fun and the value in collectibles, something that appreciates over the years.

The April GCV Chamber Coffee was a quite “Event-Full” gathering

Radney-Smith Funeral Home extended their community involvement campaign, hosting the April Greater Coosa Valley Chamber Coffee this week, held at the Batter Up – Cater Up Event Center. Manager Shane Culver introduced his staff and discussed changing trends in the industry.

“Like so many other things in life, our business is evolving, and this event is another example of how Radney-Smith is embracing those changes,” said Culver. “We are becoming more about convenience and community-involvement, inviting community businesses like Cater Up to serve families in our facility. So many of those little old ladies that used to handle such in homes are gone now, and businesses like Cater Up can handle it without family and friends having to put it together, without having to clean-up afterwards.”

Culver went on to detail other funeral trends such as cremation, less funerals and more celebrations of life, “There is more emphasis on pre-planning and pre-arrangements to save grieving families from having to deal with details under such emotional circumstances. We are doing more community outreach, to become closer friends, neighbors, and extended family to the communities we serve.”

Examples are the recent 1st Annual Car Show in their parking lot, as well as continuing sponsorship and help in organizing of the Sylacauga Veterans Day Parade, “And we are quite open to more things that solidify our communities.”

Matt Zedeker, the new Head Football Coach at Childersburg High was introduced, “I was fortunate to come into this position in January, to better blend into the culture of the school. My family has long-standing connections to Childersburg, like my wife that attending school here, making it easier to be a part of the community, because we already are that. It already feels like home, because it is. We’re busy going about building an atmosphere for success, improving the things we need for our student athletes to succeed in sports, in school, and in life.”

In other school related news, Graciela Haney, the new Dynamic Learning Partner at CHS was introduced, “My job involves so much of everyday school life as an organizer, a facilitator, a fixer. One part of that is our high school and middle school showcase, coming up na May 2nd with two sessions – 1:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. It will be set up much like a science fair, with our students and teachers showing off all kinds of classroom and school activities. We hope you’ll all mark your calendar and be a part of it,”

Pate Story talked about the annual 1st Responder Softball Tournament, scheduled for Friday, May 28th at 6:30 p.m. at the Childersburg High Baseball Field.

And, if you haven’t already, mark your calendar for the annual Grits Festival at Kymulga Grist Mill Park. It is set for Saturday, May 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The May Greater Coosa Valley Coffee will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at 8:30 a.m., hosted by the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department in the Limbaugh Community Center.

The Ben Nelson 5K & Fun Run helped Childersburg Kiwanis raise funds in support of area youth

A great crowd gathered on a crisp Childersburg morning for the 4th Annual Childersburg Kiwanis 5K & Fun Run, and the third year in a row the event honored the man who created the original fund-raising event, the late Ben Nelson.

“It’s an important event for the community, and one that has become an important means for Kiwanis in Childersburg to be of financial support in so many ways for youths in the area, from Kiwanis Park to scholarships for our graduating high school seniors,” said project chair Robbie Riddle, “It was great having Ben’s family out in support of a project that meant so much to our beloved former member.”

Scenes from the 5K & Fun Run

Riddle went on to thank those who came out to particiapte, along with many community sponsors, “Support from the community helps us do more for youths in the area. We still have some accounting to do, but it looks like the bottom line for the event will be close to 8 or 9,000 thousand dollars raised,” added Riddle.

5K Medalists

Sylacauga’s Caleb Pollard was the Overall male 5K participant, with Tammy Thornburg of Anniston leading the way as the overall female runner. The other top finishers were:

Harlyn Parrot (F – 9 & Under Division)
Makayla Lambert (F – 10 to 14 Division)
Macy Taylor (F – 15 to 19 Division)
Eden Kornegay (F – 20 to 29 Division)
Amber McDickenson (F – 40 to 49 Division)
Kim Puckett (F – 50 to 59 Division)
Timothy Ricks (M – 15 to 19 Division)
Tyler Arnold (M – 20 to 29 Division)
Tyler Culberson (M – 30 to 39 Division)
Ron Carroll (M – 40 to 49 Division)
James Chatman (M – 60 to 69 Division

The 17th Annual “Magic of Marble Festival” is underway in Sylacauga’s Central Park

More than 25 artists from around the world have gathered from around the world for the opportunity to work with Sylacauga’s pure white marble through April 12th. They will be joined by one invited sculptor from Italy, Edi Carrer, and this master sculptor will teach on site and conduct a symposium for visiting sculptors at the nearby B.B. Comer Memorial Library.

fESTIVAL PHOTO SLIDESHOW

We have “regular” visiting and resident sculptors, like our adopted Craigger Brown; Frank Murphy, a Sylacauga native who lives in Romer, GA; Bill Cook from Tennessee; Glenn Dasher from the Huntsville area; and the Cummings from Titus, along with a pair of Sylacauga sculptors, Lewellyn Peters and Jonathan Douglas, and a host of other newcomers and regulars to the Festival.

Besides our own Sylacauga art and architecture, our native marble graces dozens of buildings in Washington, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Birmingham, Montgomery, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, and beyond.

And that is the point behind Sylacauga’s unique festival – to celebrate the art, architecture, as well as the many industrial, food, and pharmaceutical uses. Visitors to “The Marble City” sometimes ask, “When will the marble run out?” It will still be in the Alabama earth, still being mined, still creating hundreds of jobs, still being sculpted when our great-great-great-grandchildren go to see the Sylacauga Magic of Marble Festival.

SCP presents a new twist on an old tradition this weekend

Several decades ago, not wanting to leave out any child wishing to participate in a Sylacauga Community Playhouse childrens’ theater production, a tradition began where a custom script and a series of songs were created as “Alice in Wonderland” appeared for a “trial” before the King and Queen of Hearts, with all sorts of other characters testified in word and song.

That production was recreated over a dozen times over the years, and the concept returns this weekend with a new twist. This Saturday, April 5th at 2:00 p.m., the Sylacauga Community will present “Character Sing-Along” at the Sylacauga Parks and Recreation Department.

Dressed as their favorite characters, actors and actresses will perform songs associated with those characters. Here’s hoping that the experience will lead the young and old to give the stage a try and keep a 45-year-plus S.C.P. tradition alive!

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg’s 4th Annual Ben Nelson Run/Walk for kids is set for this coming Saturday

Four year’s ago Ben Nelson organized a 5K & 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk as a fund raising effort in support of the many Kiwanis Club of Childersburg projects on behalf of kids in the community. Now, the annual event is named in memory of the ong time Kiwanis member.

This year’s 4th Annual Run/Walk is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 5th, starting at 6:45 a.m. for registration at Kiwanis Park, 4th Street at 4th Street SW in downtown Childersburg. The 5K Run starts at 7:45 a.m. with the Fun Run/Walk to follow at 8:00 a.m.

The Kiwanis Club of Childersburg asks for your help and participation in raising money for scholarships, Kiwanis Park maintenance, and other needs for the children in our community.