By Ben Flanagan

Jemison City Council took time Monday night to thank the city’s police and fire departments for the hard work they do every day.
“We just can’t thank you enough,” Mayor Eddie Reed said.
The council passed a resolution to repay Regions Bank a loan of $495,000 that paid for the construction of the city’s new city hall building.
While thanking Jemison Police Chief Shane Fulmer, Reed said they were fortunate that nothing had been stolen during the construction.
He said earlier this week there was a theft outside of the new city hall.
A man stole a cement mixer but was apprehended by police officers approximately five minutes after he committed the crime, Reed said.
Fulmer expressed his gratitude toward the council and other city officials who attended the  meeting.
“We’re glad to be a part of it,” he said. “I feel blessed to be here.”
The council also passed a resolution to purchase playground equipment to be built and placed in a local park.
The council passed a resolution to purchase flood insurance for areas in the city subject to flooding or mudslides.
Reed said the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommended the insurance, and the resolution was passed to become eligible for it.
The council also passed an amendment to an ordinance regarding setting fees and rates for alcohol sales in Jemison.
Another amendment was passed on an ordinance to adjust the present rate of business license fees to include alcohol sales.
Chief Fulmer said the Alabama Beverage Company says those who wish to apply for an alcohol sales license can do so now.
The final resolution the council passed was to give Chilton Leadership $500 for a two-part project involving revising the 10-year-old county video advertising the municipalities and attractions in the area.
Rex Bittle appeared on behalf of the organization and said the current video is only available on VHS but will soon be adjusted with new video and photos and available to store and distribute on DVD, flash drives, SD cards and the organization’s Web site.
The council also approved producing a new advertisement for Minooka Park.

By Scott Mims

Clerks in Jemison City Hall are working long hours this week to restore six months of data lost during a Christmas Eve lightning strike.
Mayor Eddie Reed said lighting struck a transformer in front of City Hall on the night of Dec. 24, causing damage to the computer system. Also, the backup system did not work properly, resulting in the loss of court records and other information from June through December.
Assistant City Clerk Crystal Smith and Court Magistrate Tammy Miller are working to re-enter the information in the absence of City Clerk Mary Ellison, whose husband has been ill.
Reed said new data cannot be entered into the system until they are caught up.
“We owe them a great deal of gratitude and thanks,” he said of Smith and Miller. “They have been working to get the said information up to code.”
Reed believes the city’s insurance company will cover the damage. The city is working to establish an off-site backup system for protection during future incidents.
City customers may still take their water bills to City Hall, Reed added.
“We are fortunate we didn’t lose all the information,” he said during Monday night’s council meeting.
In other business, Brian Pate of Insight Engineers made a presentation to the city council. The city is currently seeking an engineering firm to assist in areas such as drainage and wastewater treatment. No decision was made Monday night.
Also, the council reminds citizens of the upcoming wet/dry vote set for Tuesday, Jan. 12 at the Jemison Fire Station. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The fire station is located at 191 Main St in Jemison.
Depending on the results, the vote could potentially legalize the sale of alcoholic beverages in Jemison corporate limits.

By Jeannette Brasher

Most of my regular patrons know that the library will be moving in the near future.  

But they don’t know, and neither do I, just when that move will be. 

We will be located in the new Jemison Municipal building with more space and much better parking conditions.

It has been very nice here, but personally, I miss being part of the City Hall. 

In the new building, there will be elbow space for the water board, court clerk, city clerk, mayor, city council, library and police department.

Having everyone under the same umbrella is a smart move for the  city. Everyone will benefit.  Taking care of business with one stop will be much easier for the citizens of Jemison.  

We are no longer a small town.  Our traffic flow can get congested at times.

The city will have the new sidewalks completed soon.  That will be so nice for foot traffic, not to mention those who have motorized wheelchairs. 

I expect there will be signs of Hop-Scotch here and there.  

– Jeannette Brasher is librarian of Jemison Public Library.