Story By Thomas Koury
FORT PAYNE — The Fort Payne City Council approved a motion to provide a letter of support for a local restaurant planning to add a microbrewery when the eatery relocates.
Roadside ‘Que is considering a move to the former Firestone building at the corner of Sixth and Gault, with plans to install a microbrewery with a 30-gallon capacity for custom-made beer, City Clerk Andy Parker told council members. The council agreed to provide a letter of support and noted that a revision to the city’s alcohol regulations may be required to accommodate the venture.
The council approved an activity request for a block party Aug. 2 for Main Street, and a change of address for Carter’s Package Store’s coming relocation.
The council authorized bidding out three trucks for the public works department, a process initiated last year. The city expects to get $30,000 more than it paid for the trucks, given the discount the city receives and the advantage of being able to wait for delivery of trucks. The motion passed unanimously.
The council set a meeting for noon Thursday (July 3) to interview DC Gas Board appointment applicants. Council member Lynn Brewer said there were five strong candidates for the board. Council member John Smith said the council voted last week for the administrative committee to do those interviews, but Council President Walter Watson said they had decided to all council members should be involved. The council is accepting applications for the water board through July 8. The council will interview water board applicants July 10.
In community news, the Fort Payne 10-Under Little League team will represent the city at the Little League World Series in Baton Rouge from Tuesday July 8, until the championship on Sunday July 13. Team coaches said they are seeking community support for hotel expenses through a raffle ticket purchase that could award the winner $50 in groceries per week for an entire year, and the team will also participate in a gift bag exchange with
their opponents featuring Fort Payne keepsakes representative of life in our town.
The Wills Valley Model Railroad Club, a community-funded facility, continues to engage the community with 17 active and two associate members.
Club member Jimmy Carter spoke to the council, about the club. He said it hosts around 100 visitors every third Saturday. The club is developing dioramas of Fort Payne, including a newly-commissioned model of the historic train station.
A rescued sign from the Fort Payne railroad station is now prominently displayed at the museum, located upstairs at the Coal and Iron Building.
