PHOTO: Fort Payne Councilman Gerald "Red" Taylor discusses the appointment to the Fort Payne Board of Education. (Tyler Pruett | Southern Torch)
By Tyler Pruett, Managing Editor
FORT PAYNE, Ala. — The Fort Payne City Council moved to reappoint long-time board member Jimmy Durham to the Fort Payne City Schools Board of Education. Applications were accepted through Friday, April 7th until 4 pm. Mark Dorries, Joe Griggs, and Sharon Jones also applied for the spot.
Councilman Gerald Taylor made the motion to reappoint Durham: "It looks like we have four good, qualified people that applied to be appointed to this board. I know Jimmy has been on there three terms already, but under the circumstances, and undertaking the purchase of property and building a new facility, I make a motion to reappoint Jimmy," said Taylor.
The project Taylor discussed, is the new facility that the board is planning on building at the corner of 49th Street and Valley Head Road, in front of the old bakery building. The school district purchased the 55 acres and is currently in the process of developing the property.
Councilwoman Lynn Brewer seconded the motion, and the appointment was approved.
"It was an honor for me to be appointed again," said Durham after the appointment. "There is a lot of good people out there, and we feel like we have a lot of good things going with the school system, and there is a couple of things that I would like to finish up in this term. This will definitely be my last term."
Durham also pointed out the growth of the district, and the importance of seeing those programs continued:
"Seeing the school system grow and change over the past several years, seeing the new career programs, we've got kids competing on a national level on different areas of education, and all the programs Mr. Cunningham has started have just been tremendous, and I want to see these programs continued," said Durham.
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In other items addressed, the council also moved to establish a 4-way stop at the intersection of Alabama Avenue and 4th Street South. The council had requested at the previous meeting for an ordinance to be put together. After a motion to suspend the rules to adopt the ordinance, the council approved the ordinance.
Ordinance 2017-05 was also approved, which amended Ordinance 2015-04, changing the date of the "Back-To-School" Sales Tax Holiday from the first weekend in August, to the third week in July. The council moved to suspend to the rules to go ahead and adopt the ordinance.
Other items addressed at the meeting:
- It was also decided to appropriate $1000.00 to the Wills Valley Elementary School for the purchase of a new sound system.
- Moved to Declare certain Recreation Department equipment surplus.
- As discussed in the last meeting, the city had been asked by the Department of Public Examiners to adopt new policies in regard to personnel. The council approved the policies recommended.
- Authorized the opening of bids for engine repair to the landfill "pan" scraper.
- Authorized opening bids for road paving materials (plant mix and binder). Councilman Wade Hill pointed out that the city will be starting to repave the north end of the city once the sewer repairs are complete.
- Approved a two year contract with Tony Keef for the cutting of hay on city property located just north of JET Polymer (old bakery building).
Mayor's Report:
- The competition for a new a city flag design is in full swing. Contest forms may be picked up at City Hall, the banks around town, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, and Fort Payne City Schools.
- Chesser pointed out that the recent "Gas Tax" Bill being considered in Montgomery had died, but it's rumored that the bill could reemerge. The mayor pointed out that if the bill is not revived, the city may need to consider increasing it's fuel tax to fund the repair of city streets.
- The council and mayor also decided for a council-member to start appearing on WOLW's morning show once per month.
The next meeting of the Fort Payne City Council will be held May 2 at 12:00 pm at Fort Payne City Hall.
