By Marla Jones

Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala.-- The Geraldine Town Council met on Monday, March 13 for their regular monthly meeting.

The council adopted a proclamation designating April 24 each year as “Hody Childress Day”  to honor the selfless generosity exhibited by Mr. Childress for the many less fortunate.  

Childress was a Geraldine farmer who secretly paid pharmacy bills for those who were unable to pay for nearly a decade. 

Hody Childress died at the age of 80 on New Year’s Day.  It was only, near the end of his life, that Childress, informed his family of his random acts of kindness. 

The Proclamation states “Let us all commemorate Mr. Hody Childress Day by some act of support for those less fortunate by paying forward our love for our community and others.”

The council announced that Geraldine Youth Sports  Opening Day Festivities will be held on March 25.

The Geraldine Town Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 1st at Geraldine Town Park. Events are planned for three different age groups.

An update was given for the proposed new Tee Ball field. Bids will be going out soon with completion expected this fall. The council voted to build additional restrooms at the park to serve the High School softball field and the pavilion area.

The Geraldine Council adopted a Resolution to move the council meetings back to Geraldine Town Hall beginning in April, and also adopted an Ordinance to declare a Golf Cart surplus. 

Mayor Chuck Ables was designated to represent the Town of Geraldine as a Delegate at the League of Municipalities annual convention in May.

At the end of the meeting, discussions were held concerning adding a streetlight on County Road 52 near the Highway 227 intersection, and also how to best use the proceeds received from recent litigation involving multiple parties. The result of the litigation reflects the common desire to abate and alleviate the impacts of the opioid epidemic in this State.