By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Studies on health and obesity are usually unkind to the South, Alabama and Chilton County.

One local resident hopes to make a difference.

Jemison resident Ginny Hallmark has organized the first “Get Moving Jemison” fun walk and fitness expo for 9 a.m. on March 26 at the Jemison Municipal Complex.

Hallmark said the purpose of the event is to bring awareness to the community about the importance of exercise, which decreases the risk of heart disease and cancer and alleviates pain associated with arthritis.

Hallmark, a mother of two that offers personal training out of her home, has seen that a busy lifestyle can have a negative effect on women’s health.

“Sometimes, women tend to place themselves low down on the their priority list while placing their children, families and careers first,” she said. “This is detrimental to women’s health. As women, if we do not take care of ourselves, we will not remain healthy enough to continue to care for our families and children.

“Our loved ones also learn good habits from the example we set for them. Let’s show them good habits.”

The fun walk will begin and end at the Municipal Complex, looping around to Jemison City Park and covering about two miles.

Following the fun walk will be the expo, which will last until about noon.

Eighteen businesses, most of them focusing on healthier lifestyles, will set up booths in the complex auditorium.

Hallmark has a degree in sports medicine and has participated in charity races and triathlons in the Birmingham and Mobile areas.

“I just felt like God was leading me to do something for the community,” she said. “So far, I’ve had really good feedback.”

By Stephen Dawkins

The Jemison City Council on Tuesday discussed potential sources of revenue for the city.

Mayor Eddie Reed told the council to consider a proposed contract for rental of the old city hall, which sits adjacent to the Jemison Municipal Complex.

Reed said the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles would occupy half of old city hall for two years at a rate of $575 a month, if the council approves the measure at its next meeting.

“The good news is we’re meeting with the gentleman that’s going to rent the other half (on Wednesday),” Reed said. “That’s another income for the city, and we’re grateful for that.”

The council met Tuesday instead of Monday, its usual meeting day, because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Partly because of the success of renting the city’s auditorium, Councilwoman Faye King suggested the city clean out and rent the rescue building.

“It’s sitting there; we might as well make money off everything we can,” King said.

King also recommended the city purchase tablecloths for use in the auditorium. Renters could also rent the tablecloths; the council agreed it would be necessary to charge to compensate for having to clean the tablecloths.

In her final money-producing idea, King asked the council to vote to have a certified letter sent to two former firefighters, asking they repay money the city spent for them to attend a training course.

The council agreed the men had not met requirements put in place before the city agreed to spend the money.

The city paid $750 for each of the two men for them to attend the training.

In other business, the council:

•Allowed Fire and Rescue Department Chief John Dennis to spend up to $10,000 on renovations to the city’s fire station.
Dennis said he wants to turn some existing space into a dormitory and also upgrade the station’s bathroom facilities.

“Our plan is to eventually have people there 24 hours a day, and this is helping us move toward that,” Dennis said.

•Approved Nick Barnett to serve as a reserve police officer, based on the recommendation of Deputy Chief Marc McMinn.

The Jemison City Council on Tuesday discussed potential sources of revenue for the city.

Mayor Eddie Reed told the council to consider a proposed contract for rental of the old city hall, which sits adjacent to the Jemison Municipal Complex.

Reed said the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles would occupy half of old city hall for two years at a rate of $575 a month, if the council approves the measure at its next meeting.

“The good news is we’re meeting with the gentleman that’s going to rent the other half (on Wednesday),” Reed said. “That’s another income for the city, and we’re grateful for that.”

The council met Tuesday instead of Monday, its usual meeting day, because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Partly because of the success of renting the city’s auditorium, Councilwoman Faye King suggested the city clean out and rent the rescue building.

“It’s sitting there; we might as well make money off everything we can,” King said.

King also recommended the city purchase tablecloths for use in the auditorium. Renters could also rent the tablecloths; the council agreed it would be necessary to charge to compensate for having to clean the tablecloths.

In her final money-producing idea, King asked the council to vote to have a certified letter sent to two former firefighters, asking they repay money the city spent for them to attend a training course.

The council agreed the men had not met requirements put in place before the city agreed to spend the money.

The city paid $750 for each of the two men for them to attend the training.

In other business, the council:

•Allowed Fire and Rescue Department Chief John Dennis to spend up to $10,000 on renovations to the city’s fire station.
Dennis said he wants to turn some existing space into a dormitory and also upgrade the station’s bathroom facilities.

“Our plan is to eventually have people there 24 hours a day, and this is helping us move toward that,” Dennis said.

•Approved Nick Barnett to serve as a reserve police officer, based on the recommendation of Deputy Chief Marc McMinn.

By Stephen Dawkins

Eight local volunteer firefighters are more prepared for their positions thanks to completing a training course hosted in Jemison.

The firefighters completed a 160-hour Alabama Volunteer Fire Department course from Aug. 4 to Dec. 2 that covered the topics of introduction to firefighting, basic skills of firefighting, advanced skills, and hazardous materials awareness.

“It’s a big deal for these guys to take the course time-wise. They’re coming up here at nights, on the weekends,” Jemison Fire and Rescue Chief John Dennis said. “It makes them more knowledgeable about fire and fire behavior, they can better combat a fire, they’re more knowledgeable about what a fire is going to do next so they can better conserve property, and they’re more knowledgeable about fire safety so they can better protect themselves during a fire.”

Fourteen participants began the course, and eight completed it: David Sewell and Dustin Walker with the Jemison fire department; Tiffany Mims, Tyler Mims and Kenneth Wilson Jr. with East Chilton department; Brent Hilton with Gap of the Mountain; and Seth Fortenberry and Joseph Stough with Collins Chapel.

Jemison hosted the same course last year, and Dennis said 22 people completed it.

Those who earn certification in the course have the opportunity to become a certified full-time firefighter by completing a weeklong bridge course at the Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa.

Sewell, who has been with the Jemison department four about a year, was also named the department’s Member of the Year at the annual banquet Monday evening at the Jemison Municipal Complex.

By Stephen Dawkins

As plans were being formed for Jemison’s Municipal Complex, Mayor Eddie Reed had to be convinced an auditorium would benefit the city.

Reed has since seen the light.

“That has been one of the best things we could have done,” Reed said at Monday’s city council meeting.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Jemison had received more than $11,000 in revenue from people renting the auditorium, including deposits that have already been paid to reserve a date in the future.

The auditorium features seating for several hundred people, depending on the arrangement; a stage; a sound system; and two drop-down projection video screens.

Karen McMinn is handling reservations for the auditorium. She can be reached at 688-4492 ext. 319 (office) or 287-1260 (cell).

An updated application will be uploaded to the city’s website, www.jemisonalabama.org, in the coming days, McMinn said. Those interested in making a reservation can print the application, fill it out and send it to McMinn or take it by her office at the complex.

“There were some things that needed to be added, like we don’t rent the room to people that are going to charge admission at the door—without prior approval of the council and mayor,” McMinn said. “We’re going to let non-profits do that, of course, we just don’t want anyone running a business out of there.”

The auditorium hosted its first event, in late April, before the complex was officially open. McMinn now has reservations as far out as December 2011.

Most of the events held at the auditorium are banquets, wedding receptions, birthday parties and church events.

The building has provided an unexpected benefit to the city by being the site of police training courses.

The city might pay several hundred dollars for one officer to attend training in Montgomery, for example, but hosting the training allows all Jemison officers to attend, at a reduced cost to the city.

“That has gone over really, really well,” McMinn said. “Officers that have been to the training here have nothing but positive things to say.”

The auditorium floor was finished in October, along with the bathrooms.
“The room looks beautiful now,” McMinn said.

By Scott Mims

Beginning Thursday, the Chilton County Commission will conduct weekly public hearings in different areas of the county to find out how citizens feel about a proposed 1-cent sales tax increase.

The purpose of the hearings is to gather input from the public and formulate a plan based on the feedback. Later, the commission will formally present a plan outlining how the tax money would be used.

If the hearings go well, the commission plans to request a countywide referendum. The vote would likely take place in 2012, unless a special election were held.

“We just want to know how people feel about the possibility of an additional 1-cent sales tax to be voted on by the entire community,” said Commissioner Red Turnipseed, who is in charge of organizing the hearings.

The first hearing will be Thursday, July 29 at the Jemison Municipal Complex at 6 p.m. Additional hearings are set for Thursday, Aug. 5 at the Chilton County Courthouse and Thursday, Aug. 12 at the Maplesville Library, both at 6 p.m.

Turnipseed said he is in the process of securing a meeting place for a hearing in South Chilton County.

“There may be other hearings,” he said.

All seven commissioners and Chilton County Engineer Tony Wearren have been asked to attend. Other county officials may also be present.

The floor will be open to anyone who wishes to provide constructive comments dealing with whether they are for or against the proposed tax increase, and reasons why.

“We’re looking for a large turnout,” Turnipseed said. “We encourage everyone to come out and express their wishes and desires about this tax.”

The times, dates and locations of future hearings will be announced as the information becomes available.

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison has invested about $1.6 million in its new Municipal Complex, according to Mayor Eddie Reed.

The figure is not exact because some aspects of the project–such as a large clock on the outside of the building, exterior lighting and signage–have yet to be completed, Reed said Thursday.

Reed declined to provide more information about costs related to the project.

The city purchased the old ACE Hardware building and accompanying land adjacent to the old city hall after the business had closed, and the renovated 18,000-square foot building opened in early May.

Part of the decision to build a new city hall was that the city had $586,000 left from a bond issue for a sewer project. If the money had not been used–and for some type of construction project–the city would have had to repay the funds.

The Municipal Complex provides the city with more space for municipal court, the police department, council meetings and the library.

Before construction of the building, municipal court was held at the city’s fire station, and council meetings often had more people in attendance than seats.

The facility also features an auditorium that can seat as many as 400 people in front of a stage, a sound system and two drop-down projection screens.

The auditorium can be rented for reunions, banquets and other gatherings.

According to Reed, Popwell Appraisal Service in Clanton recently appraised the property at $2.762 million.

By Stephen Dawkins

Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed has said he thinks the auditorium is perhaps the aspect of the city’s new Municipal Complex that would be of greatest benefit to residents of the city.
And the residents seem to agree.
Interest in the auditorium has been so great that officials have had to put someone in charge of handling reservations.
“The phones have been ringing off the hook,” said Karen McMinn, the city’s contact for auditorium usage. We’ve got three [events] scheduled for 2011 already.
“It’s going to go over really, really well.”
The auditorium is a venue the likes of which the city has not had in the past, and the site is suitable for banquets, parties, reunions, receptions and other events.
The city can offer seating for about 300, though the auditorium could accommodate more seats. There are 32 round tables, which seat eight people each, available for use.
The auditorium has a stage, a sound system and two projection video screens.
The cost to rent the space for an evening is $300. $50 extra is charged if the sound system will be used. The city will even provide someone to operate the sound system, for $20 an hour with a two-hour minimum.
Use of the kitchen costs $50, and, in some instances, a police officer would be required to be present to provide security, at a rate of $20 per hour.
A $150 deposit is required to hold a specific date, and the remaining balance is due 10 days before the date of the event.
Officials would have to be notified of a cancellation five days prior to the event, and $50 of the deposit is non-refundable.
Other guidelines must be agreed upon to rent the auditorium. For a list or any other information about renting the space, call McMinn at the Municipal Complex at 688-4492.
“We want to see them come and enjoy the facility because it’s for the people,” McMinn said.

Dear Editor,

I often pray for the leaders in this country, from the president to my local mayor and city council.

I ask God first to provide us good leaders who will seek Him first, and then to give them wisdom and good judgment in their leadership services.

With the blessing of the new city hall in Jemison, which was built in difficult economic times, ensuring employment for many and bolstering Jemison’s reputation in the county all the way up to the U.S. Congress (as represented by the gifts bestowed to the mayor), God has abundantly provided for our little city.

It is quite gratifying to see Jemison’s mayor and city council include thanksgiving to God in the grand opening ceremonies for the new municipal center and city hall. Their humility is appreciated.

During the ceremonies, I was reminded of Malachi 3:10, when God says, “Try me now in this, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

Thanks to God and our local leaders who have provided excellent leadership for our community so that we may prosper and be a blessing in return.

–Rex Bittle, Jemison

By Justin Averette

Jemison leaders and citizens got together Sunday to celebrate their community and dedicate its new municipal complex.

Hundreds of peopled turned out for the 2 p.m. event, which mistress of ceremony and District Court Judge Rhonda Hardesty called “a very special occasion for the city of Jemison and its citizens.”

Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said the new, 18,000-square-foot complex reflects a “shared vision and sacrifice.”

The mayor said the complex is dedicated first to God and then Jemison’s citizens.

“This truly is the people’s building,” Reed said.

Reed said city workers completed 85 percent of the work done on the complex, saving “the city great sums of money.”

The ceremony started with the presentation of the flag and Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 773.

Jemison High School’s Blue Regiment band also participated in the program, playing the National Anthem; I’m Proud to be an American; and God Bless America at different times. Patti Hamm Beam also sang “How Great Thou Art.”

The Rev. Rex Kent, pastor of Jemison First Baptist Church, lead the dedication, which ended with everyone repeating the following: “We do, in all sincerity, with love for God our creator and with an attitude of servitude, we, the citizens and all elected officials of the city of Jemison do hereby dedicate this building for all mankind, do gratefully dedicated this building.”

Reed offered thanks to several Jemison employees and elected leaders, both past and present, as well as other individuals, like project manager Shannon Welch, who played vital roles in the building’s construction.

“They all work out of the goodness of their hearts,” Reed said.

Perhaps the afternoon’s greatest honor was given to Morris E. Padgett, who sold the city the property, on which his empty ACE Hardware store once sat. Reed announced the city was renaming Union Grove Road to Padgett Lane.

Following the ceremony inside, a ribbon cutting was held in front of the building. Those in attendance then enjoyed refreshments and the music of Stomps Hill while touring the complex.