August 7, 2009

Grand daughter Debbie Jo and her mom and dad arrived last night a little after midnight from Atlanta. While Deborah and Courtney took her around today to show Deborah's coworkers and generally shop Belaire Mall, Stuart and I went on a tour of Chickasaw and West Mobile. We
hit such special places as the Port, City Hall, Hobby Lobby, Mobile Country Club and Cheeseburger-Cheeseburger. Before we went out for seafood at Bayley's tonight, Debbie Jo performed a little "soft shoe" in my Georgia Tech slippers.

August 6, 2009

I attended a meeting with Mayor Pittman, Mike Reynolds and one of Mobile's most respected real estate brokers this afternoon to find suitable property for some of our incoming business prospects. Then Sam Rawls from Public Works and I drove down to the Mobile Chamber Of Commerce to talk with Herman Tinsley about our final preparations to widen the second bridge on Viaduct Road for safer and wide-load capable trucks. This modification is needed to match up with the road widening already funded as a project for Viaduct Road.
I was particularly pleased to hear that Representative Randy Davis was sucessfully able to get Chickasaw the $59,000 needed to repair the roof of the library and civic center. These repairs have been sought after for some time. Tonight, the 2010 Smalltown committee headed by Jennifer White met to discuss preparation for this October's Sale event and the combination Founders Day / Smalltown Alabama week occuring in October 2010 at Millers Park.

In addition, my sweet little granddaughter arrives tonight with her mommy and daddy to spend the weekend with us. So, for the next three days expect candid shots of the little one.

August 5, 2009

This morning I met Mr. Bowden and Charlie from Maintenance over at the J.C. Davis Auditorium to discuss mounting new speakers. Then the City Code Inspector called about meeting with Sam Rawls concerning the Viaduct Bridge Expansion. That will necessitate a trip to Mobile tomorrow afternoon. Corresponded with the mayor about new business for Chickasaw and spent the rest of the rainy afternoon with my bride while she made treats for the grandaughter due tomorrow afternoon.
Thought I would share what a friend sent. . . even pac-man has followers!

August 4, 2009

Today there was a meeting of the Chickasaw Garden Club where discussion of plantings in the medium of Highway 43 at Brooks Park reached a fevered pitch. There were those who wanted Crape Myrtle trees and those who wanted lower profile shrubs to avoid blocking anyones view that are turning west into the park. Good homemade sandwiches and lemonade were provided by Ed and Marilyn Jones.
Tonight was a culmination and summary by Ephraim Stockdale of Phase I of the city's Strategic Planning sessions, The key stakeholders and general public were invited to witness (2) two new businesses being voted into Chickasaw: Trappers Restaurant at 601 Hwy. 43 and Dollar General at 288 Hwy. 43. The Commercial Development Board finished their voting process before turning the floor of City Hall over to Sherrie Graham, Ephraim Stockdale of Alabama Power, Mayor Byron Pittman and Councilwoman Jennifer White. All four speakers made statements of Chickasaws progress over the last fifteen months and answered questions from the audience members who had received a strategy report. Pictured are Ephraim Stockdale addressing the meeting. The second photo is Stockdale, Pittman and Hayward.

August 3, 2009

Today at Kiwanis we held our monthly business meeting and heard from a youth counselor, Brook Duprey, a protege who's program we had helped to fund. We also learned, quite by accident, that while we were paying Kiwanis International right on schedule; we had missed Kiwanis Alabama. Who knew? Also under the heading of strange news, they had to call the police at our mayors new building when a landscaper showed up "higher than a kite" and began driving the tractor over top of the freshly sodded grass.
Later in the afternoon I met with the code inspector to pick up necessary paperwork on the new Dollar General store who wants to open on Highway 43 in front on the Pine Cone Apartments. They would like to be in occupancy by the last of November, so we will bring it up for a vote tomorrow night at the Commercial Development Board Meeting. One of the other board members looked at the paperwork this afternoon and I will email information to the rest so everyone will have advanced input on the project.

August 2, 2009

After 8:30 AM church service I had a Knights Of Columbus meeting where I was assigned program and communications chairman for the chapter. We ate lunch downtown and went by the Civic Center to see why the enormous number of cars were parked there. While we were in the area Deb took my picture at Ft. Conde. The Civic Center was having a large Jehovah's
Witness gathering. Then it was off to Brookley to check if my friend Jeff was flying his 310F this weekend. That apparently wasn't happening today, since the heavy cumulus clouds make for bumpy rides.

August 1, 2009

We traveled to Bienvbille Square this afternoon for Jazz Fest and I was amazed that we found a parking spot next to the park so quickly. It was only after I set down on a wet bench and asked a friendly "musician-type" bearded dude when the music was supposed to start that I was informed the event had changed venues to 351 Water Street. For those of you who have never been to Club 351, let me tell you that from the outside it looks a bit "seedy". Suprisingly enough, everyone inside was extremely friendly and I immediately felt comfortable, even more so when Donna Hyatt began blowing sax. Great little trio with drums and Hammond B-3 organ. They had moved over to the club due to impending rain all afternoon and no-one likes getting 110 VAC through their hand when they reach for a wet microphone. Can't blame them for that! Stayed for about an hour and a half and was pleased with all the great sounds.