July 30, 2009

Between paying bills and answering the door for UPS and Fedex delivering audio equipment for J. C. Davis Auditorium, I managed to come up with a list of talking points for our Communications and Marketing Committee meeting tonight at City Hall. We detailed all the lines of communication our city can use to reveal plans to our citizens as well as to the media. It is not only important for that vital link to the community, but to also reach the surrounding towns with our goals and accomplishments. Chickasaw is becoming a city of forward moving people looking for new spirit in all we hope to achieve and the proof of that will be seen next Tuesday evening at the Commercial Board's summation of Phase I, looking for that
start-up of Phase II. Ephraim Stockdale will be there to tell us what we may expect and prepare us for the upcoming Auburn Urban Planning Team. Please mark your calendar for Aug 4th 7:00 PM.

July 29, 2009

Early trip to printer to get Aug. 4th Chickasaw Strategy Planning invitations finished and delivered to some of the churches and businesses. This meeting is not only for the "key stakeholders", but open to the general public as well. It will be Tues. at 7 PM at City Hall.
The Communications and Marketing Committee will also meet tomorrow at the Civic Center to finish up our report for Tuesday. Some of the ways to promote and market our city is through some of the events held here annually such as the Disc Golf Tournament, The 5K run and hopefully with an annual kayak race starting from Brooks Park. I spoke with the Mayor this afternoon about available buildings in our city for new industry and commerce.

July 28, 2009

Out of 7,000 applications, only 1,000 grants were approved and Chickasaw was one of the cities awarded with $129,000. over three years which will pay for an additional policeman for our community. This was fulfilled by the COPS grant, written by Sherrie Graham. Our neighbor, Prichard received a grant for two officers, which will please them, I'm sure. In keeping with our city expansion and growth, I was given permission to order an official pair of 36" ceremonial scissors out of the Commercial/ Industrial Board budget for our future "ribbon cuttings" done at new business openings. This evening we had a council meeting which honored our promoted policemen. Mike Reynolds, our new police chief, was officially sworn-in by Judge Don Davis. Mike, then promoted several officers and his new fire captain. Their proud wives and children pinned on their new badges.

July 27, 2009

We were fortunate to have Commissioner Susan Parker, of the Alabama Public Service Commission speak to us at Kiwanis today. Susan addressed the energy and carbon pollution problem with us, recommending we switch to all fluorescent bulbs in our lamps and have our homes tested for insulation deficiencies. Alabama is in a bad position, since all our power comes from coal fired, power generating stations. Even though she is a democrat, she is against the Cap and Trade Bill recently passed by the House, because it requires power companies to reduce their carbon footprint by 80% in the next 15 years. That would force Alabama Power to
purchase allowance credits from other manufacturers, driving up our individual power bills 40% or more. Alabama Power is consistantly trying to keep pace by installing lime sequestering injectors on the smoke stacks to reduce the gases, but the Cap and Trade legislation would place them in an unwinable situation. As it relates to wind-energy, it would take 31,000 acres of windmills, just to replace the output of Barry Steam Plant. Susan believes nuclear energy might be a salient solution for the SouthEast.

July 26, 2009

After church today we stopped by Mama Lewis Diner for some brunch. Apparently some of our friends had the same idea. While we were there we had some pleasant conversation with two fellow Kiwanians, two councilpersons and their families and the city's accountant. Word about good food travels fast. Then the rains came and put an end to visiting the art galleries downtown.

July 25, 2009

Tonight the Chickasaw Civic Theatre had their Annual Awards Banquet, election of officers and appointment of six new people to the Theatre Board. The event was held at Catfish Junction in Saraland and was attended by approximately 100 guests. Many awards were given out for each of the five plays during the 2008-09 season with final awards to the most important male and female contribution of the season. New officers named were President: Leonora Harrison, Vice President: Jeffrey Williamson, Secretary: Debbie Goff and Treasurer Steve Dawson. The new Board Members voted in tonight were: Charles Shaw, Janice Talbot, Jim Trout, Judy Van Norman, Steve Alsip and last, but not least, Ervin Dailey.

July 24, 2009

There will be a Strategic Planning Event open to key stakeholders and the general public on Tuesday August 4, 2009 at City Hall 7:00 PM. This will start Phase II in preparations for the Auburn Urban Design Team coming to Chickasaw to help with new city plans. You should mark your calendars and plan to attend.. Things are starting to happen fast in our community.
One of my friends from Florida emailed me today with one of the "hottest" songs sweeping the country. You can preview it yourself by going to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFzyYYZsvGc or googling LAS KETCHUP Interesting, No?