City, Rotary partner, hope to attract travelers
The City of Andalusia and the Andalusia Rotary Club cut the ribbon in the new Andalusia Dog Park Tuesday afternoon.
The park, located on Snowden Drive at the top of the hill behind McDonald’s, includes a 100 feet by 60 feet fenced area for large dogs, and a 100 feet by 40 feet fenced area for small dogs. Each area has benches, a waste station, and water station.
“This is something we have wanted to do, and known we needed to do, for a long time,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “When you’re traveling, it’s not difficult to find a spot for your children to get some relief and exercise, but that’s not always true for pets.
“We want to be known not only as the friendliest city for people, but also the friendliest city for pets,” he said.
Local Rotarian Jim Krudop secured a $5,000 from the Rotary district, and the local Rotary Foundation also contributed funds. The club partnered with the city, which helped provide materials and in-kind services for the project, which totaled $15,000.
Although the park was just completed last week it is already drawing visitors, both from local residents looking for places for their animals to play, and travelers.
The city expects to add lighting, landscaping, and other finishing touches in the near future.
Violators say city fees have been cheaper route
Absentee property owners who have relied upon city abatements as a yard service of sorts can expect to pay more for that service in the future.
On Tuesday, the Andalusia City Council held the first reading for an ordinance that sets the minimum administrative cost for abatements at $150. An ordinance requires two readings before it can be passed.
The proposed ordinance states that administrative costs may be assessed at a higher rate, and if the city contracts for abatement, the actual cost charged by the contractor for the abatement would be considered the administrative cost.
Mayor Earl Johnson said the city has continual problems with property owners who live outside the city and don’t maintain their property. The city, in turn, continually abates their property for unsightly weeds and/or debris.
“They have turned our abatement program into their yard maintenance,” Johnson said. “Some of them have said they can get it done by us cheaper than contracting with someone.”
If the city abates property for unsightly weeds, and the property owner does not respond, the city has the property cleaned up, and bills the property owner. If the resulting charges are not immediately paid, they are attached to the owner’s property taxes.
The council is expected to vote on the proposed ordinance at its next meeting.
In other business, the council:
• Reappointed Virginia Brawner to the Board of Equalization.
The Andalusia City School’s APPLE Program held its annual student art reception yesterday and art instructor Michelle Colbert said that events that showcase art are important for all art students.
“Events like these show students that all of the hard work that they are putting in is worth it,” Colbert said. “It shows that they are not just having fun when they are creating art, but they are making an impact in the community. They need to experience that.”
Students learn about different artists and techniques in their after-school classes.
“Generally, we spend the afternoon talking about an element of art,” Colbert said. “Whether it is composition, value or shape. Then we go through examples of the art like artists who use it. After that we go through different techniques and how to do that type of art. Between that and working through different projects, we are always pretty busy.”
Colbert teaches seven different students between the grades of sixth through eighth, and she said that the age difference plays a big role in how they learn.
“It would be different if I taught kids younger than these,” Colbert said. “When it gets into this age range, they are in this class because they want to be and they bond over that. They do get along really well though. The sixth graders are a little more hyperactive more so than the seventh and eighth graders so it keeps it interesting in the class.”
When it comes to art education, Colbert said the arts need to be funded so that they are able to keep teaching the kids.
“Art education has shown improvement in SAT scores later on in a child’s education,” Colbert said. “It is so important for these kids to have that, but we are seeing it being pushed to the wayside with budget cuts as far as education goes. I think as much art education as these kids can get, the better it will be for them in the long run.”
LBW Community College will hold the annual commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. on May 10, 2019, in the Andalusia Kiwanis Community Center with the Hon. Earl V. Johnson, mayor of Andalusia, as guest speaker.
“Mayor Johnson brings many accomplishments to the podium and our graduates are sure to hear an encouraging message to mark this important milestone in their lives,” said LBWCC President Dr. Herb Riedel.
Johnson is a 1965 graduate of Andalusia High School, attended Auburn University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and business administration from Troy University. He continued his education at Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1974.
While in law school, Johnson was named to the Dean’s List and was twice awarded the Am Jur Book Award. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in November 1974, was admitted to practice before numerous federal trial and appellate courts, and continues in private practice in Andalusia. He also served two terms as commissioner on the Alabama State Bar board of commissioners. He is in a fourth term as mayor of the city of Andalusia and remains active in professional, civic, and business affiliations. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association, formerly serving as the bar commissioner for the 22nd judicial circuit and as a member of the disciplinary committee.
Johnson is also a member of the American Bar Association, formerly served as assistant district attorney in Covington County, is a member and past-president of the Covington County Bar Association, a past-president and Paul Harris Fellow with the Andalusia Rotary Club, and a member of the Andalusia Leadership Hall of Fame.
Previously, he served as a founding director of First National Bank of Andalusia, vice-chairman of the Andalusia Downtown Redevelopment Authority, chairman of the Andalusia Industrial Board, secretary of South Alabama Regional Airport Authority, president of the Andalusia Lion’s Club, drive chairman of the Andalusia Area United Fund, president of the Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Foundation, and was a member of the Covington Arts Council and Aviation Council of Alabama.
Johnson was awarded the Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Award in 2012, and currently serves on several boards of directors, including the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce, Covington County Economic Development Commission, and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He is actively involved with raising funds to support sports, scholarships, and revitalization efforts at Troy University. He served on the committee responsible for raising funds for Troy’s entry into NCAA Division I, and is a member and general counsel of the Troy University National Alumni Association of Directors.
He presented Troy University with a memorial Trojan monument located in the lobby of the Trojan Arena, originated and served as chairman of the Quad Revitalization Committee, is a member of the Troy University Foundation board of directors, is the founding president of Troy Shield Society, is co-chairman of Troy University Planned Giving Council, and founding chairman of Troy University Sports Hall of Fame board of advisors.
In 2008, Johnson was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, and in 2015, he was appointed to the Troy University board of trustees.
He is married to the former Sylvia Crook of Decatur, Ga., has two daughters and four grandchildren.
LBWCC’s commencement in Andalusia is a combined ceremony of the College’s four locations in Andalusia, Opp, Greenville, and Luverne, and recognizes the completion of short certificates, certificates, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees.
A reception in honor of graduates and their families is planned for 1-1:30 p.m.
Andalusia’s city streets will get more than $829,000 in improvements in coming weeks, thanks in part to a Community Development Block Grant.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday accepted the low bids from Bullard Excavating, Inc., for two projects designed to improve city streets. Bob Carter of Goodwyn Mills Cawood, who designed the project, reviewed the three bids received and made the recommendation.
The first project, funded mostly by a CDBG grant, totals $268,850, and is for resurfacing parts of Woodruff Street, Third Street, Second Street, Eighth Street, and Ninth Street.
The second project, for which the city will use its gasoline tax accounts, street resurfacing account, and capital improvements account, totals $560,500.
It will resurface portions of Stratford Court, W. Meadowbrook Drive, E. Meadowbrook Drive, Ruby Lane, Adams Street, East Three Notch Court, Snead Street, Pecan Street, Spruce Drive, Waites Street, Highland Avenue, Arnold Street, Bagley Street, Thweat, Cawthon Street, and Allen Street.