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Wayne Flynt one of nine Alabamians to be honored at ‘Celebration of the Arts’ awards on May 21

Friday, 10 May 2013 12:18
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Special to the Opelika Observer

The Alabama State Council on the Arts will honor nine outstanding Alabamians at the 2013 “Celebration of the Arts” awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 21 at 7:30 p.m.  The event will take place at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, 1 Festival Drive, Montgomery.  A reception will immediately follow the awards ceremony in the lobby of the theatre. The event is free and open to the public but reservations and tickets are required.

The Council’s “Celebration of the Arts” shines a spotlight on the arts and artists in Alabama. Individuals are recognized for their contributions to the arts in Alabama and beyond. Al Head, Executive Director of the Council stated, “This awards program is an opportunity for the state to showcase the work and support of individuals who are a significant part of our rich cultural landscape and bring great credit to our state through their achievements.”

This year’s recipients include a Pulitzer Prize winning author, an internationally recognized poet, a professor emeritus and cultural historian, a university president and his wife, a dance instructor and artistic director, a playwright, a traditional band, a community arts volunteer and arts patron and a long-time leader in the state legislature. Their contributions to the arts are diverse and far-reaching. This year’s recipients are:

Lyndra Daniel, Birmingham - Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award

Rick Bragg, Piedmont – Alabama’s Distinguished Artist Award

Dr. Wayne Flynt, Auburn - Governor’s Arts Award

Gordon & Geri Moulton, Mobile - Governor’s Arts Award

Jean Prescott Pierce, Birmingham - Governor’s Arts Award

Sonia Sanchez, Birmingham - Governor’s Arts Award

Kitty Seale, Montgomery - Governor’s Arts Award

Excelsior Band, Mobile - The Alabama Folk Heritage Award

Senator J. T. “Jabo” Waggoner, Birmingham - The Special Council Legacy Award

In offering his congratulations to this year’s recipients Governor Robert Bentley noted,”Alabama’s arts community reflects a rich diversity of human resources and endeavors.  The arts convey the personality of our state and communicate a unique “sense of home.”  From traditional shape-note singers and quilters, to world-class theatre, to some of the finest museums in the Southeast, Alabama is truly a state of the arts.”

The Governor’s Arts Award honors individuals who have made unique contributions to the arts in Alabama. Five awards in this category will be given this year: Dr. Wayne Flynt of Auburn;Gordon & Geri Moulton of Mobile; Jean Prescott Pierce of Birmingham; Sonia Sanchez of Birmingham; and Kitty Seale of Montgomery.

Dr. Wayne Flynt is a masterful storyteller, an award-winning author of twelve books and a prolific writer. In his books Dr. Flynt examines topics like religion, civil rights, education, poverty and politics through the history of Alabama. He has written extensively and in great detail about these topics throughout his distinguished career.

Flynt focused largely on the historical, economic and social fabric of Alabama in his book, Poor But Proud: Alabama’s Poor Whites (1990). He co-wrote Alabama: A History of a Deep South State. Both books were nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. He is editor-in-chief emeritus of the online Encyclopedia of Alabama, a partnership of Auburn University and the Alabama Humanities Foundation. In his various works, Wayne Flynt has consistently documented the important artists, writers and musicians of Alabama, as well as, the impact they have had both nationally and internationally.

Another of the awards, The Jonnie Dee Little Lifetime Achievement Award, has meaning for this area. The award is named after past Council member, Jonnie Dee Riley Little from Auburn who died in 1988 after serving with great distinction on the Council and in support of the arts in Alabama.

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County commission hears presentation on possible economic impact of changes at Fort Benning

Friday, 12 April 2013 08:57
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by Fred Woods

Editor

This week’s Lee County Commission meeting began with the presentation of a proclamation to the Civil Air Patrol recognizing and thanking the Civil Air Patrol for their tremendous assistance to Lee County’s Emergency Management Agency and Law Enforcement agencies. Making the presentation on behalf of the county commission was county EMA Director Kathy Raines and receiving it, on behalf of the Civil Air Patrol, was Col. Brad Lynn, Alabama Wing Commander, who lives in Valley, Alabama. Maj. Chris Tate, who also serves EMA as Training Officer, commands the local CAP unit, the Auburn Composite Squadron.

Two specific recent instances of CAP assistance include the 2009 and 2011 tornados that swept through the county when CAP pilots helped EMA officials with aerial damage assessments and last December when CAP aided EMA and local law enforcement personnel in searching for a missing elderly man believed to be lost in the Lee County area.

Next, Gary Jones,Executive Vice President, Military Affairs, for both the Columbus (GA) Chamber of Commerce and The Valley Partnership provided an update on the impact of the U.S. Department of Defense drawdown (budget reduction) on Fort Benning and the economies of the area impacted by Ft. Benning. This planning area includes three Alabama counties (Lee, Russell and Barbour) and seven counties in Georgia.

Ft. Benning’s regional economic impact on the 10-county planning region is estimated, according to figures cited by Jones, at $4.3 billion annually. Including BRAC (Base Reduction and Closure) impacts gives an estimated additional economic boost of $1.65 billion annually.

Ft. Benning’s portion of the Department of Defense budget reduction projected for the next fiscal year will amount to the loss of 7,100 positions and 1,900 direct and indirect jobs supporting these positions. When family members are factored in, nearly 18,000 people will be adversely affected by the budget reductions.

Growth at Ft. Benning in the past few years has resulted in $3.6 billion in construction, the creation of 9,000 new jobs on post and 22,000 new people in the planning region.

The Valley Partnership, Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Ft. Benning leadership are developing a strategy for the installation’s future. They have accepted as a given that the Army will get much smaller and will continue to close installations. Ft. Benning now provides basic training to 35 percent of all new army enlistees. Part of the Ft. Benning strategy is to try and “grow” this concept for the future. The trend of base closures should accelerate the growth of BRAC. Lawson Army Air Field, with its 2,500 feet runways is seen as a real asset in attracting C-130 or C-17 base shutdowns. These are the large cargo/transport planes in the USAF fleet.

In other actions the commission approved the emergency replacement of a kitchen food steamer at the detention facility kitchen . It recently caught fire and was rendered inoperable. At the request rendered inoperable.

At the request of County Engineer Justin Hardee commissioners rejected a single bid for a used heavy duty back hoe and okayed Mr. Hardee to try and negotiate a better price for the equipment.

Commission Chair Bill English and Commissioner Ham complimented Mr. Hardee for his concern over saving the county money.

Mr. Hardee also recommended (and the commission approved) acceptance of roads in the Sentinel Hills Subdivision for permanent maintenance by the county.

Ordinarily this action might not even merit mention but Sentinel Hills (Phase A), located north of U.S. Hwy. 29 North just off Lee County Road 177 is the first county subdivision to be initiated, completed and completed the required two years of county supervision since the county’s subdivision regulations were adopted several years ago.

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Memorial fund created for Jeter student Alexus Whitlow

Friday, 10 May 2013 12:05
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by the Opelika Observer staff

Following the tragic passing of 7-year-old Alexus Whitlow after her collapse in gym class at Jeter Primary School last Friday, Opelika schools officials have helped to create a memorial fund that will help her family.

Opelika City School public relations coordinator Becky Brown said the Alexus Whitlow Memorial Fund will be handled by AuburnBank in Opelika.

“We want the community to know this is a way they can show their support and love for Alexus and her family,” Brown said.

Whitlow’s visitation will be held today, Friday, from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Harris Funeral Home. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Greater Peace Baptist Church at 1 p.m.

Citizens wishing to make donations to the Alexus Whitlow Memorial Fund may do so at the Auburn Bank location on South 6th Street in Opelika.

Whitlow was a first grader at Jeter Primary. After collapsing in her physical education class, Whitlow was unresponsive when emergency workers reached the school, and she went into cardiac arrest while en route to East Alabama Medical Center, where she was later pronounced dead.

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Opelika’s wood duck preserve continues to grow

Friday, 03 May 2013 08:28
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by Roger Johnson

(with input from the Opelika Observer staff)

The Friends of Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park (OWD) has recently been recognized by the Wood Duck Society, Twin Cities, Minnesota. The March 2013 issue of the Wood Duck Newsgram was recently received by Jenny Roe, treasurer of the local organization.

In the Wood Duck Newsgram article, the local group was featured in a two-page informative write-up. The article featured photos of members with their newly installed park sign and  photos of Wood Duck box installation.

Opelika was selected, in 2011, as the only city in the Southeast to be recognized as an Urban Bird Treaty City. The OWD  group has been working for a couple of years to raise money to be applied towards the migratory bird treaty grant, a  $70,000 matching challenge grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The park and preserve is also included in the  Alabama Piedmont Plateau Birding Trail.

Raising funds to match the grant has been slow and frustrating, but the enthusiasm for the project continues. Too, there was some initial confusion over the terms of the challenge grant. The money in the grant becomes available for use as the local group raises “matching funds,” either in cash or in kind (primarily volunteer labor and construction materials) and remains available until matched.

“Friends” members have put in many hours over the past two years to improve the area for the citizens of Opelika and surrounding area. Just recently a 1.3 mile trail was cleared. The trail now completely circles the lagoon. In addition, the Siddique Park land has had an extensive area cleared of privet and other invasive plants. Trail signs have been put in place and more are being planned.

A pavilion to be constructed on the Siddique Park  land is in the planning stages. The pavilion will allow area teachers to bring local students to the park,  on  field days, and to expose students to the joy and wonder of nature. The pavilion will also allow the Friends group to set up public information programs on  many nature related subjects. The group is also planning to install a walking bridge across the Rocky Brook Creek which flows between the park and lagoon preserve.

The Friends’ group reports two areas of real excitement that have been occurring during recent months. The first is the involvement of high school students. During  work days at the park, students from the Opelika High School’s Environmental Club have volunteered many hours of “fun labor”. These students have helped clear trails, install signs, and cleaned up the viewing house. As an additional benefit they have provided the Friends group with many hours of enjoyment in watching the students’ enthusiasm in learning about nature. OHS science teacher Betsy Gore is currently developing additional educational curriculum materials.

Secondly, local scouting groups have found the city park to be a bonanza in providing Eagle Scout Projects to qualified candidates. One scout has completed his project and four other scouts are planning  projects.

All these volunteer efforts can be converted to their cash value and counted as part of the match. Volunteer efforts so far have amounted to between $13,000 - $15,000. Most labor is valued at $10 per hour but school (including college) classes are valued on the basis of the teacher/instructor’s salary.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller initially contributed $5,000 from his discretionary fund.  The city council is expected to contribute an additional $5,000 in the near future. The “Friends” also recently received a $20,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). Additional applications for grants from national headquarters of several local businesses have either been submitted or are currently being prepared.

If you would like to donate to the preserve and park, checks should be made to OWDHP&SNP and mailed to Jenny Roe, 1106 Willow Run, Opelika, Al 36801. Area citizens are encouraged to visit the preserve, walk down to the lagoon and see the Wood Duck boxes the group has installed. Get in touch with nature and enjoy.

 

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Lee County Commission hears update on pavement preservation project

Friday, 03 May 2013 08:31
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by Fred Woods

Editor

This week’s meeting of the Lee County Commission was highlighted by updates of a pavement preservation project being carried out jointly  by the National Center for Asphalt Technology and the Lee County Highway Department and updates on county road and bridge projects either scheduled or underway.

Dr. Buzz Powell of NCAT, which has its test track located near Spring Villa, led an informative presentation of an asphalt preservation study being carried out on Lee Road 159, north from LR-10 (Sandhill Road)  to the Martin Marietta Quarry entrance. East Alabama Paving also has an asphalt plant at the quarry entrance.

The study involves  some 22 different types of pavement treatment and comparisons of how each treatment holds up under a daily stream of loaded dump truck traffic.

Seven primarily southeastern states are participating in financing this project. A full report on this project will be made in June in an meeting at Auburn University.

Lee County Engineer Justin Hardee then updated the commission on bridge and road projects.

Three bridge projects, financed by county bonds, were discussed.

The Society Hill road bridge across Chewacla Creek at Mitchell’s Mill is proceeding on schedule.

Hardee has said from the start that his goal is to have this structure complete and open to traffic before school starts this fall and still expects to meet this goal.

Hardee and the commission also discussed road conditions on the “unofficial” detour (unpaved Lee Road 27) used by many locals and the efforts of the highway  department to keep this road in good driving condition in the face of recent rains.The bridge on LR 236 near the Russell county line has hit a couple of unexpected problems but is expected to be completed by July.The remaining bridge, on LR 70 near Roxanna, was apparently done in, at least partially by a colony of beavers.

Its replacement is currently in the design phase and is probably at least a year away from completion. Fortunately the road is a loop so no one is unable to access their property.

Several road projects are being financed under the state ATRIP program which uses anticipated future federal funds to finance current projects.

These projects require a 20 percent local match.

From ATRIP, round one, a $1,9949,100 project to widen and resurface 7.2 miles of LR 240 (the old “back road” to Phenix City- Columbus) is scheduled to start in July.

ATRIP-round two projects include widening and repaving LR 246 (Moore’s Mill Road) from the Auburn city limits to the road’s end at AL Hwy. 169 (8.7 miles, $1.4 million) and LR 158, 7.2 miles from the Salem Land Fill at LR 183 to LR 379 south of Halawakee Creek ($2.2 million).

The county is currently preparing the roadways for these projects and both are scheduled to start next spring (2014).

ATRIP-round three projects are due May 31 and the county will submit an application for several bridge replacements and road resurfacing projects.

A cooperative Auburn-Opelika MPO project for resurfacing 2.7 miles of LR 391 (Old Columbus Road) from the Opelika city limits to US Hwy. 280 at a cost of $475,697 is slated to begin in June.

The widening and resurfacing of Pierce Chapel Road (3.2 miles at the cost of $1 million) is still in the planning stage.

Hardee also discussed several other widening/resurfacing projects in the Smiths Station area. All told, Lee County has $9,125,215 in current federal aid projects.

At the end of Mr. Hardee’s report several commissioners and Chairman English complimented the Highway Department as a whole and Mr. Hardee personally for several areas of performance.

All the officials mentioned compliments passed on from citizens.

Having completed his evaluation of how well this year’s budget is progressing, County Administrator Roger Rendleman requested, and was granted, two budget adjustments.

The first dealt with the highway department and allows that department to utilize unexpected gains from truck fleet rotation and proceeds from the sale of underutilized and surplus equipment to purchase an additional $505,000 of needed equipment.

“The required budget adjustment is basically a ‘wash,’” said Rendleman.

In the second adjustment, Rendleman proposed taking $175,000 of 2012 unexpended funds and $400,000 which had been held in reserve in case it was needed for courthouse roof repairs ( it was not) and reallocating the resulting $575,000 as follows:

- $100,000 to the Sheriff’s office for replacing four vehicles which would basically get this office’s fleet rotation back to its pre-recession status.

- $100,000 for communications infrastructure. New technology and a recent study have identified how the county can improve capabilities and eliminate areas of current poor coverage; thereby improving deputy safety and enhancing emergency management capability.

- $375,000 for courthouse facilities. Part (about $43,000) would go to clock tower repairs and most of the rest would be used in repointing courthouse masonry. Any remainder would go towards design-related costs for the facilities projects.

In other actions the commissioners approved several bids for environmental services and one for the jail’s kitchen steamer, approved an off-site beer and wine license for a Dollar General store in the Valley area, approved a retail liquor license for El Gallo Mexican restaurant on Hwy. 29 in Cusseta. The commission also okayed a Special Event Liquor license for a two-day rodeo in the Smiths Station/Phenix City area, and held the first reading for Sam Bailey’s reappointment to the Lee County Recreation Board.

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OPC Profile: David Canon juggles roles as member of Council and Commission

Friday, 03 May 2013 08:29
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by Greg Markley

Political Writer

 

David Canon and his wife Ann delight in their four grandchildren, the progeny of their children Kimberly and Chris. But Canon, since fall 2010 a member of the Opelika Planning Commission, has found an occasional “grandfather” issue at OPC to be a whole lot less enjoyable than the times he spends grandfathering at home.

“Once there was an issue pertaining to a business that had stopped operating for several years and lost its ‘grandfather’ status after the area was rezoned during a revision of our Long Term Plan for the city,” said Canon, who in addition to his OPC membership represents Ward 5 on the Opelika City Council. “The business could continue to operate as long as it did not close for more than a certain period of time.”

Unfortunately, after more time than allowed had passed, the individual who wanted to open the location again as a similar business was not allowed to do so.

Canon recalled that “The reason was because of the length of time the ‘grandfathered’ business had been closed. Again, this was a sad situation for those who wanted the new business to open but the zoning did not allow for it.”

An Opelika native, Canon has been on the planning body since Sept. 2010 and his term expires in November 2016. Canon beat out two candidates during a 2010 special election following the death of Ward 5 Councilman and prominent local physician Dr. William Lazenby. Canon was reelected without opposition in 2012.

During his 36-year banking career, Canon was affiliated with four local financial institutions  – Farmers National Bank, Colonial Bank, Eagle Bank and Charterbank. He recently returned to banking as a senior advisor. He says his long banking career helps a lot in his OPC decisions.

“Being a banker, I’ve had a good bit of experience in reviewing construction drawings and reading blueprints for both commercial and residential buildings,” he said. “Prior to serving on the OPC, I learned most of the terminology relating to the construction industry and that has helped me adapt rather quickly.”

Canon is a graduate of Opelika High School, Auburn University, the Alabama Banking School and the LSU School of Banking of the South. A member of Opelika’s First United Methodist Church, he is an adult Sunday-school teacher and has held a variety of leadership positions. He is a past president of the Opelika Rotary Club and the Opelika Historic Preservation Society, Opelika Main Street, Inc., and United Way of Opelika.

In 2011-2012, a challenging issue for Canon and the other OPC members was a planned Oak Bowery Road development.

Concerned the project that included apartments was not in keeping with the neighborhood’s “character” of large single-family lots, many citizens strongly opposed the development. Opponents rejoiced, but Canon saw a hollow victory.

“In the final analysis, the citizens won but I think the community lost because a very well planned development that would have offered unique housing and other amenities was stopped,” he reflected last week. “I hope that the right location can be found for it to become a reality.”

 

 

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