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Sylacauga City Council November 7th meeting report

The Sylacauga City Council held their first regular meeting of the month on Thursday night, November 7, preceded by a work session. Read the accounts of the meeting &/or watch the meeting video below.

The Council opened their meeting with a pair of public hearing on property rezoning requests. Hearing no opposition, property located on Coaling Road was rezoned from AG-2 (Agricultural District) District to a RT-1 (Zero Lot Line Residential District) District. Property located on Talladega Highway was rezoned from MX-2 (Limited Mixed Use) District to a B2 (General Business) District.

A public hearing for the Development Reimbursement Agreement with Cabash Investments, LLC was scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

Approval was granted to Wharf Casual Seafood, LLC for a thirty-day extension for opening, until January 31, 2025.

The Council approved a series of budget amendments from FY2024 to FY2025 to account for open invoices that stretched between the two budget years. They were approved as follows:

a) General Fund encumbrances, totaling $749,599.01.
b) Improvement Project Fund encumbrances, totaling $623,020.55.
c) Airport Fund encumbrances, totaling $87,996.24.

Approval was given to hire Reams Custom Homes to seal cedar roofs at the Marble City Cemetery, totaling $1,247.75. (Funding from Marble City Cemetery Fund.)

The Council approved Building & Earth to provide engineering consultation and construction materials testing services for project site located at 799 N Norton Ave., totaling $18,100. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.) This piece of property is proposed for a new Recreation Center, adjacent to the E.A.R.T.H. Job Development Center from Safe Family Services.

The Fire Department was approved to purchase Thermal Imaging Cameras, totaling $35,315, plus shipping charges. (Funding from Capital Improvement Fund.)

The Council gave approval for the reimbursement of an overpayment to Gail Vick, case # MC23-0000856, totaling $60.

The Acme Sandwich Shop, Inc, located at 108 North Broadway Avenue was approved for an 020 – Restaurant Retail Liquor License, pending approval from the ABC Board and all required documents.

Approval was granted for payment Fiscal Year 2024 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $134,637.76; as well as Fiscal Year 2025 Accounts Payable invoices totaling $352,432.63.

Tiffany Nix was re-elected as the City Council President for the next twelve-month period, and Nate Brewer was elected to serve as the City Council President Pro-Tempore for the next twelve-month period.

The Council approved a new job description for the vacant position of Accounting Manager in the Administration and Finance Department, effective November 7, 2024.

The next regular meeting of the Sylacauga City Council is set for Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at 6:00 p.m., preceded by a work session at 5:00 p.m.

Childersburg welcomes “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique”

Kara Eslinger opened the doors to “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique” with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7th, including both the Greater Coosa Valley & Sylacauga Chambers of Commerce.

Childersburg Mayor Ken Wesson welcomed the new downtown business, “The transformation has been nothing short of amazing. This is a shop that Kara and her family can be proud of creating, something special for the future of downtown Childersburg. It’s great to see such a crowd welcome her and her new shop.”

Eslinger got more than a bit teary-eyed as she explained the name she chose, Fair to Middlin’, “The name is a tribute to my GrandPa, using one of his favorite sayings. I was blessed to have such a supportive family. Everybody chipped in, allowing me to research what I wanted to include, while getting the building ready, and deciding how to display everything. I know he’d be so proud of everything about Fair to Middlin’.”

Here are some scenes for the dig day:

Check out “Fair to Middlin’ Gifts & Boutique in person at 705 1st Street Southwest in downtown Childersburg.

Childersburg City Council meeting report 11/5/2024

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

A major flooding issue that has plagued Childersburg’s Pleasant Valley area is a step closer to resolution as a project that has created better darinage is nearing completion.

Approval of Resolution 2024-22 authorizes Mayor Ken Wesson to execute a change order for the Storm Drain Northwest Project #CS010832-03 that approves Civil Contractors to complete the project using available SRF funding. Residents have reported great improvement already, draining flood waters in a matter of hours instead of days.

Resolution 2024-23 approves Lincoln Excavating and Construction a one-year road and sidewalk repair contract. It includes more than a dozen projects for the Water Board, as well as ten for the City itself.

A pair of Resolutions, 2024-24 & 2024-25, gained formal approval on behalf of the Childersburg Water Board. The first amends a 2023 Community Block Grants and Appalachian Regional Commission funds to include an increase of local matching funds by ten-percent and authorize the Mayor to submit and sign required documents.

The second accepts funds through the same grant programs to provide sewer system improvements and awarding the construction contract to Baird Contracting.

The Council approved a JAG Grant expense for the purchase of two (2) Axon Fleer Dash Cameras with License Plate Readers. The total amount is $30,548.40, with $20,939.64 from the JAG Grant balance, and a city match of $9,608.70 from Fund 10.

The first regular Council meeting in December has been moved from Tuesday, December 3rd to Monday December 2nd at 6:00 p.m. to avoid a conflict with the planned City Christmas Tree Lighting and related events on the regular meeting night.

Approval was given to advertise with the Childersburg High Tip-Off Club in the amount of $300 from Fund 12-LRA.

The Council approved an 011-Lounge Retail Liquor Class II (Package) License for TCB Package Store owner Walter Blackmon. It is located at 6 9th Avenue SW.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $211,248.85.

And in an item added to the amended agenda, the Council approved a $2,450 payment to Misty Thacker for gymnastics class service provided through the Childersburg Parks & Recreation Department. All of the funds were generated through participation fees collected by the Recreation Department. There is a formal agreement for the classes under development.

The next regular Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19th, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.

U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl: The Biden-Harris ‘Inflation Reduction Act’ is responsible for soaring Medicare premiums

Sylacauga native Jerry Carl represents Alabama’s First Congressional District. He lives in Mobile with his wife Tina. Here are his thoughts on the “Inflation Reduction Act” from an article he wrote for 1819 News.

Roughly two years ago, the Biden-Harris administration rammed through their so-called “Inflation Reduction Act (IRA),” claiming it would stop inflation and get prices under control for struggling Americans. From the moment they introduced this bill, I was opposed to it for numerous reasons. This was the bill that included $80 billion for the IRS to hire 87,000 new agents (including more armed agents), as well as billions of dollars for pointless Green New Deal projects. Unsurprisingly, the IRA has been a total failure and, in many cases, is actually driving up the cost of living. 

One of the biggest failures of the Biden-Harris IRA is the rising cost of Medicare Part D, which is intended to give seniors the option to choose between numerous affordable plans. Just this year alone, more than 100 plans have been removed from the list of options, and these have disproportionately affected low-income seniors. In fact, seniors currently have the fewest options to choose from than at any point in the 20-year history of the program. 

Not only has the Biden-Harris IRA stripped seniors of Medicare options, but it has also increased the premiums seniors are paying for both their Part D and Medicare Advantage programs. The monthly premiums historically have been flat or have seen a slight increase; however, this year they are up 21-30%. Even worse, they are expected to increase next year by as much as 50%. This is a shame, and the Biden-Harris administration is flat-out lying to the American people about how they’ve completely failed our seniors. 

If you are wondering why these plans have been stripped away and why premiums are going through the roof, you are not alone. It turns out, the Biden-Harris IRA robbed $270 billion from Medicare to pay for ridiculous pet projects which include subsidizing China’s production of electric vehicle batteries and solar panels. Now, America’s seniors are footing the bill for the Biden-Harris administration’s disastrous policy. Instead of admitting their mistake and working to undo this damage, this administration is lying to the American people to hide their failures. 

As the November election rapidly approaches, Democrats are campaigning on the IRA as a big success, but the American people know better. Since Biden and Harris took office, we’ve seen the cost for nearly everything increase, and the American people simply cannot afford another four years of this. If you’re as sick as I am of the Biden-Harris administration’s America-last agenda, I encourage you to show up in force on Election Day and make your voice heard. That’s the only way we can fix this. 

The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to [email protected].

Hometown celebrity brings a pair of magical events to the Comer Museum

David Merlin’s “magical” events are usually reserved for places like New York City, Las Vegas, or prime time television. In fact, his act is fresh off October appearances in the Big Apple, but his hometown of Sylacauga gets two shows next week from Merlin.

Merlin’s performance history includes shows with Penne & Teller, David Letterman, America’s Got Talent, the Mike Huckabee Show, appearances on Comedy Central, and so many more. And he has something brand new for a pair of shows at Sylacauga’s Comer Museum next week.

His magical illusions are legendary, with dozens of magicians including them in their international shows. But those will have to wait for another day, because Merlin will delve into a whole new area of mind-reading for his Sylacauga shows, “I’ve done shows in the area of paranormal phenomenon. I’ve read minds and made predictions as a mentalist. I’ve performed shows which include complete audience participation. But I’m about to feature a brand new experiment in mental telepathy,” explained Merlin, “You’ll be the star of my new show at the museum, as the audience will read MY mind, instead.”

Prepare to be “wowed” on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday, October 23rd and 24th. The shows are scheduled for 7:00 p.m. each night, with a limited number of seats available for each show. Get your tickets at the Comer Museum. Call (256) 245-4016 to reserve your seats now.

HSCU presents, “All Things Considered” on 10/21, 11:00 a.m. at the BB Comer Library

The Heritage South Credit Union Foundation has commissioned an original play about the reality of financial scams, “All Things Considered.”

The play is scheduled to be performed live at the B.B. Comer Memorial Library on Monday, October 21st at 11:00 a.m. A FREE Lunch will be provided for the first 100 guests.

“We wanted to do something to raise awareness of financial scams,” said HSCU’s Kevin Whitman, who is directing the play, “We obtained a grant to make the production possible, including having Sylacauga native Logan Chance write the script, along with myself, Beth Chance, and Jessie Vincent.”

Heritage South held auditions back in early September, and the troupe has been rehearsing since. They held a dress rehearsal for staff members on Monday, October 14th at the main branch in Sylacauga. The cast features:

Janie Giddens as Marjory
Donna Walker as Sara
Randy Clark as Ed
Michael Giddens as Jon
Robin Wallace as Stella

Ribbon-Cutting & Open House for College Park development

Rausch-Coleman Homes held a Ribbon-Cutting & Open House event on Thursday, October 15th. Twelve homes of a planned 132-home College Park development have been completed and more are currently under construction. A great crowd was on hand as College Park gave its first public peek at its new homes.

Here are some scenes from the big event:

We talked with Rausch-Coleman’s in-house College Park representative, Robbyn Duncan:

Childersburg approves a $.5.7-Million FY 2025 City Operating budget

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

The Childersburg City Council approved Resolution 2024-20 for a FY 2025 Operating Budget that includes a pay raise and an increased health insurance contribution.

The budget approval calls for $5,797,150 in projected revenues; $5,765,867 in expenses; and a surplus of $31,283. Employees will receive a one-time longevity increase, a three percent wage adjustment, along with an increase in the City’s contribution to health insurance premiums to 85%. The budget also set the new year’s holiday schedule.

In other new business, Bruce Hunt was appointed to the Boards of adjustments and appeals for a term ending 11/15/2027.

The Council gave approval for the Rural Transportation System to hire a pair of temporary, part-time drivers on an as-needed basis, paying $10 per hour.

Approval was given to adjust the salary of the Senior Center/Transportation Director, Demetra Reynolds to $27,500.

It was announced that the Childersburg Police Department has been awarded an ADECA Traffic Grant of $3,000 per month. CPD officers received training in 1st Amendment Auditors, 2nd Amendment Activists, new laws, new drug trends, along with firearms qualifications.

Approval was given to pay invoices in the amount of $298,453.22.

The next regular meeting of the Childersburg Council will be held on November 5th at 6:00 p.m.

Wow! What a weekend!

Wow! What a weekend in the Greater Coosa Valley! There was NO shortage of things to do in the region on Saturday (10/12), all full of family fun! A pair of annual festivals drew crowds in south Talladega County, as well as a big veteran-related music event in the Lincoln area.

Childersburg’s John Cox Stadium hosted a “combo” event – the “Pumpkin Festival & Coosa Fest 484,” while the Childersburg Rescue Squad’s “Ride to the Rescue” brought hundreds of bike riders to town, along with a Classic Car, Truck & Bike show and some of the south’s best BBQ and all the fixings.

And for the 14th consecutive year, Oak Grove’s Fall Family Festival was the biggest and best ever, along with a great collection of vintage vehicles from the Marble City Cruisers.

Learn about & get involved with the Talladega County Extension Service

Talladega County’s Extension Service held an “Open House” on Thursday, October 10th to show of their many community education offerings, while expanding their network of partners. Extension Service offices are an “extension” of Alabama’s land grant universities – Alabama A&M and Auburn University – Offering a wide variety of educational programs to make your life better, richer, and more fulfilling.

The new Talladega County Extension Agent, Dr. Samuel Roberson has been a “regular” of late at all manner of community gatherings and events, to introduce himself and his mission. With this “Open House” event, the focus shifts to enlisting partnerships of community leaders and the businesses, organizations, and other entities they represent.

Check out the event photo slideshow, but also hear directly from Dr. Roberson in the video below:

To find out more, to pledge your support, you can contact Roberson at [email protected], by visiting the Talladega County Extension Service office at 132 North Court Street in Talladega, By calling (256) 362-6187, and/or visiting aces.edu.