Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Just now it's time to go to the Hambleton's sideline.
The first and third wins Wednesday of every month. We
have city council reports for Valley, opel Like and Auburn.
They presented to you by four seasons. Federal Credit Union
with two locations in Oplaika. Before we go to mayor Fudo,
let's hear from four seasons Federal Credit Union for season,
Federal Credit Union home road in the world.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The differences of people, friends and nab you for checking
saving zor loan serving us in nineteen sixty four.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Are your back to school expenses? Adding up four seasons
Federal Credit Union makes it easy to stay ahead with
flexible loan options for tuition, school supplies, and even newer
used vehicles with fast approvals, great rates and terms that
fit your budget. Apply online anytime at four seasons FCU
dot Com. That's four seasons FCU dot Com or visit
a local branch today. Account's federally insured by NCUA membership
(00:59):
eligib Well he required long and subject to approval, equal
opportunity to lender. Ask for more details.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Boy didn't stay real, Grady Junior.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Man, I do my bankhead for seasons along with Jeff
with two locations on Marvin Parkway and Pepperell Parkway. Time
to go to high Top City Hall in downtown Opelika,
our twenty year mayor who was about to close it
out about two more months. That's hard to believe, but
he is live on the habit of outline, the honorable
Mayor of the City of Opelaca, and my good friend
Gary Fuller, Good morning mayor.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Hey, good morning to do Mark. Jeff. Great to be
with you guys, And uh, I know Jeff's happy as
he braves. What double oneheader yesterday that did too little,
too late? And although I saw Chris pitch him a
little bit and uh looked like he was throwing well.
So anyway we can mark this season off, hopefully brings
(01:55):
some young guys up Jeff from uh from the farm
and uh let him get little playing time and uh
maybe we find sufistic before next spring.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (02:04):
Hey, hey, we're not mathematically eliminated, man, you know now
just hang on from get a E by the name
where they been eliminated.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
So well, it's it's uh, I think it's just a
matter of time and they.
Speaker 6 (02:22):
Lose two more games, that's uh.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Yeah, yeah. Uh, anything could happen, but uh, that'd be
the shocker of the center.
Speaker 6 (02:31):
It would just like it would be just like our
braves to do it too.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Oh yeah, yeah, Well guys, it's it's it's great to
be with you. We had a terrific council meeting last night.
It was short and sweet. Tik my hat to the
mayor elect and the President of the City Council Eddie Smith.
I was home by I think by six thirty and
U my part of the uh of the shortened street
(02:58):
sweet had the I did maybe one applointment, that's Tom
Pentton to the Opeca Planning Commission, Mark the mayor. Under
our form of government, the mayor appoints two boards without
any input from the City Council. One is the Housing
Authority Board and those five members, and the other is
(03:21):
the Planning Commission and the mayor of points eight of
the nine Planning commissioners, the city council appoints one of
their own to be on the Planning Commission. So Mike
Hillier resigned, and Mike works out of town now, so
it was kind of a hardship on him to get
(03:42):
in here for commission meeting. So he resigned and I
appointed Tom Pinton to the Opahaka Planning Commission. His term
will end this turn will end in February of twenty
twenty six, so the councilor will need to reappoint him
at that time. Then I can hand it out. They've
got the city's financial report for August, and then Joey Moightley,
(04:06):
our administrator, had the August building permitted report, and Mark,
I want to share us the number with you and
Jeff for the month. With one of our key numbers
that we always look at are single family homes. So
in the month of August we permitted thirty new single
(04:27):
family homes a permitted value of eight point six million dollars.
The total permitted value for everything for all permits in
August was eleven point nine million. Year. Today, our permit
total was one month left to go in the year
is one hundred and seventy four point three million. Of that,
(04:50):
four hundred and ninety two new single family homes at
a permitted value of one hundred and twenty four million dollars.
So we continue to build houses. Folks continue to move Gopalaika.
They moved because of great jobs and because of great schools,
So I'm glad to have that report from Joey last night.
(05:12):
And then the the I think the big thing out
of the council during the work session, our Controller UH
Cindy Boyd, spoke with the council about the FY twenty
sixth budget, which goes into effect October first, that's the
beginning of our new year. The council really didn't have
many questions about that, and then when it came up
(05:34):
on the agenda of the council approved it. So we
got the budget in place, and I think it shows
us with a with a slight number in the black
for the year. But typically the way we do that
is we were very very conservative on revenue and we're
(05:56):
not quite as conservative on expenses. So the end of
the year, we hope our expenses will be less and
our revenue will be more and that gets a little
plus column, and then we've put that in our savings
account so we can do things like build that new
lodge down at Springville Park, and that is really gonna
(06:17):
be a nice asset. It's gonna be beautiful and I
think it's gonna open sometime this fall, so it's gonna
be very very nice. And listen, folks are in enjoying
full park mark. I know you had Cojo spent a
lot of time over there, but they now playing football
there on Saturday mornings on that artificial turf, and I
(06:37):
think a good time has been had by Hall. I
need to get by there on Saturday morning much to play.
The council did a flit of the special appropriation for
National Night Out. Our event will be at Courthouse Square
on October seventh.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
That is.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Coming up. That's the first Tuesday in October, and that'll
be at Courthouse Square. And then we're doing we're working
with Parks and Director, Health Fair Sports Flex And then
the council didn't approve an emergency repair to the Northeast
Industrial Park sewer that was a little over six hundred
(07:17):
thousand dollars that we had had to spend because of
a break in the line. We brought a few automobiles
last night, bought some pleaground equipment for west Ridge Park,
marking tho there you go talk about that a few
months ago two hundred and fifty two thousand for a
new playground equipment for west Ridge Park. And then of
(07:37):
course we've still got work to do with West Ridge
and we're doing it. Really pleased with how that's coming along.
The council did have the second reading on two ordinances.
One approves three hundred and four acres half on Ridge
Road from R three and C two to a pub
(08:00):
playing unit development. And then the council had the first
reading for an electric Rate and Surplus Revenue ordinance and
that will come up at the first council meeting in
October for a prutal. So, you know, buying Laarge, I
think that was I think that was about It had
some just some general different things to pass and so
(08:24):
I think a good time was had by by all. Mark.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Well that's good, Maryor how much is it? What do
you got in there for wests the whole park coming
up next year? What kind of renovations is there any
kind of I don't have that.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Number in front of the sound can probably tell you.
And I know part of that. And we've been you know,
we've been looking at that new playground equipment and it's
been ordered and h and of course, you know, a
couple of years ago we replaced the school board. Then
you know, we had a group come in and Mark,
I don't know what you call this where they level
(08:57):
up the field and they laser grading it what they did,
ye yeah, and uh, I'm going to continue to do that.
This past year, we've replaced all the fixtures in the
bathrooms and we've we think we were about eliminated the
older problem that was coming from one of our industries. Uh.
They've been working with us and we've been working on it,
(09:19):
and we think we've bout got that bat got that
solved and and uh and and good good for and
it needed to be solved, sou West Ridges.
Speaker 6 (09:31):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
I think with you know, the stuff that they will
continue to do. I think you see still see a
lot a lot more action. And how many kids did
you have playing baseball this summer? Mayor?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
We had a little over one hundred in my group
thirteen through fifteen year olds. We had eight teams, one
of my largest leads we've.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Had, so I was going to last kind of compared
us to past year.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
One of our larger ones. We've had six to eight.
The last several since COVID has been fantastic Mayory. It's
been booming. We went from five before co with up
to eight since COVID. So baseball has been a big,
big big happening, and they're out there on that park
seven days a week. As you know from hearing some
complaints about lock gate, so you know all about that.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Well, but I think now folks understand if they will
call and reserve and and some ways to do that.
And as you know, Mark, part of the problem with
folks coming from Tim Buck too and using our park,
and uh, that's that's really designed for Opelika folks. And anyway,
I think that's good. Mark. I thought I thought for
(10:33):
sure you or Jeff would ask me about the fact
that I got to call the first play offensive play
in the off I thought.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
We talked, do we not?
Speaker 5 (10:41):
You know what?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Let me tell you this.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
I think it's good and it's sad at the same time.
And let me explain why I'm sad that it's taking
twenty one years from one of them coaches to let
you call the play. So I'm like, do y'all not
understand he wants to call a place to tell Brian
would you plead? I mean, would you please let him.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Call the play?
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And then Kayla Ross I was like, Caleb, he's got
to call the play, So good for Brian Moore Man
and you got four yards. I understand we did.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
And uh, and let me tell you what I gotta think,
Chief Healey, and I think our new superintendent, doctor Kevin Davis.
I think Chief mentioned that, uh to Kevin, and Kevin
may have mentioned it to Brian and and there was
some stuff going on there, I think. And uh, but
I was so pleased. Coach call me on Friday of
(11:31):
the Auburn game and he's he was telling me free
options to look at for that first play, and uh,
so I came up with the one that we wanted
to call and uh, and back on it. We did
get four yards and uh but uh, I don't need
to call any place.
Speaker 6 (11:49):
I thought she was gonna tell what you called the
last play.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Now, Dad burned that there was a heartbreaker, and uh,
let me tell you what. I took Andrews and Am
to lunch over Bow and Aaron. They grinning like Jessic
Katz and enjoying that lunch. But you know what, I
won't be the mayor next year, but I'm gonna have
that same lunch wager with liose guys. The only way,
(12:13):
the only way I can come back is I got
to win my way back. But you know what, a
great rivalry that's been for a hundred years and it
will continue to be a great rivalry. And I think
fans on both sides behave themselves and that's always a
good thing. And you know, it was a bitter loss
for the Bulldogs, but we're having a great year and
(12:37):
I'm looking forward to going to Smith's Friday night. And
as Smith's, they having a little better year than they've
been having.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Mayor. They did win their opener, they've struggled since then.
They got a new coach, Blair Harrison. He's going to
do a good job. He's got a lot of wins
under it belt under his belt. But as far as
how much better they are this year, they're better, Mayor,
But I just don't know how much They've got such
a long way to go. And I don't mean that
being you know, derogatory to any young man or young
person out there.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Yeah, well, it's just kind of the nature of the beast.
And uh, you know, want the programs down, it just
takes a while to get it back. And of course,
big weekend for the Auburn University Tigers is that Norman.
We've got some folks that are traveling out there to
see the game, and uh, well, wouldn't that be something
for Auburn to go out there and beat Oklahoma on
(13:25):
their home field. I think they're going to well good,
I tell you what, what I'll be looking at it.
I think it's the two thirty game, isn't it?
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Or it is there?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
It is, so that would be good. And of course
Alabama's off this week and they'll uh they got an
easy game following week. Oh wow, Georgia. I think somebody
said Georgia has won thirty three straight in Athens and
uh so, uh, we'll see which Alabama team shows up
(13:56):
over there. And I think Georgia be a little different
content to Monroe or Wisconsin and uh and uh well
we'll find out a little more about that. But uh,
high school ball is you know, in full of swing
and we're excited about that. And I guess you got
all the coaches coming to mos tonight.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Yes, sir, Mayor. We usually have between sixteen around sixteen there,
sixteen to eighteen, and we have a blast and it's fun,
Mayor talking to all those coaches.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
It really is.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Oh, I know it is, and you know, we uh
we you know, we get excited about high school football,
uh in the South and uh and we love to
you know, to watch our kids and not only the
kids on the field, but you know, we got band,
we got cheerleaders, and uh we got parents that come
to see the band. And it's it's a it's a
(14:47):
family kind of atmosphere. And uh, well, I like I
like the job that coach Moore was doing and his assistance,
and I think we you know, is it would it
be possible for us to get another shot at all?
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Ooh?
Speaker 1 (15:01):
It possibly, Look, I think it would. We could be
It could either be in the sink what it could
be the quarter semis of the championship. I'd have to
see how it laid out, mayor, but certainly we could.
Absolutely if we go far enough and they go far enough,
we could match each other, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Well I'd love to see that again. But anyway, we'll
see what happens down the road. Guys, thank y'all for
allowing me to be on win. We've got two more
of these to do.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Mark, I was wondering, may that's gonna be tough, man,
that's gonna be sentimental for me? Now, I ain't gonna
I tell you as close as we are. And as
many years as we've done this, that's unbelievable. It's been
about nineteen years on the Mark that you've done this.
Because we're going into show year nineteen coming in January,
I knew.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
It had been a lot long time. And what a
what a great thing y'all do for to help the
city and for our citizens, for us to have this
vehicle to talk with folks and discuss, you know, city business.
And so I'm sure Heavy is gonna want to do
(16:05):
the same thing, Mark, And I'm not sure you'll want
to come down the City Hall just early in the morning.
But doing this, I got in a habit. You know,
I could do it at home, but I just kind
of like coming down here and it's kind of quiet
usually at this time of the morning. Only other person
here is the Vice mayor, Jack Robin, Big Jack, Big Jack,
(16:28):
and he's busy. I rarely see Jack in the building,
but he's around somewhere. But uh, you know, we got
we got three new folks coming on the city council.
You got Janatica Homes, Lee Whiteley, and Chuck Beams. And
we had a little it orientation for him for two
(16:50):
I'm yesterday Chuck was out of town, but Janatica and
Lee came and met our information technology team and got
their iPad and some instructions, and so we're beginning to
get them acclimated and we'll do a little orientation form
probably in October, and then there's a mandatory thing that
(17:13):
the state does for newly elected folks, and so they'll
participate in that and get them all trained up and
ready to go. The squaring in for the new council
and what is called their organizational meeting, Mark, will be
on Monday, November the third, and I think that's set
(17:35):
for six pm. They'll square in the new mayor and
all five of the council members, and then the council
will vote and decide who the President of the Council
is gonna be and who the president Protem's gonna be,
and then they'll go from there. And then the next night,
Tuesday the fourth, they will have their first council meeting.
(17:57):
And someone asked me if I was gonna go to
the council meeting.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I said, what do you think, negative ghostwriter, said Mark.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
I asked a figure up. I said, twenty five years
because I went to council meetings when I was on
the council. And if you went to have twenty four
a year, you know, if you went to twenty a year,
that's five hundred, five hundred council meetings in twenty five years.
(18:28):
And I think I went more than twenty a year.
But that's a lot of Dad Marned counsel meeting and
Guy Gunner excuse me, the guy Gunner, but right there
with every one of those two.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Mark, I know, I know, so a lot of city work,
a lot of city work. Are you ready to go,
mayor are you ready to kind of get out of there?
Speaker 3 (18:47):
You?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I know you love your job. Now I don't mean that, but.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
God, and you know, Mark, it'll be a little bit
of an adjustment. I was talking to a friend the
other day and I said, you know, it's kind of
like when Laura and I sold the radio.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I know, I remember that I was a little lost there.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
For a little period. All of a sudden, I wasn't
in the flow of things. So I'm on probably miss
the action part of this, right, but you know, it's
it's all part of that great, big circle of life.
It was time for us to get some new leadership
and Eddie was ready and he's gonna do a terrific job.
(19:26):
I want him to be more successful than I've been
and and I think we all ought to want that
for our successors, that they agree successful. And because I'm
I'm going to continue to live here. This is my home,
so I'm looking forward. I think I'm going to have
a little office at it hope lack of power and
(19:47):
a little place that i can go and hang my
had I'm still involved with the U. It's now called
the South Energy Southeast. That's the old Alabama Municipal Electric Authority,
which hope like some member of that. So I'm gonna
be around, and I'm gonna be around to have Eddie
if he needs any help. And we've already met several
(20:09):
times and he's got some things going. Number one on
his list is get the annual prayer breakfast, which is scheduled.
I think he's gonna do it on Tuesday morning, November
the fourth, Okay, And that's something that we did for
twenty well we missed one year because of COVID, but
we did that twenty one years and Lucinda Cannon had
(20:32):
been the chair of that and she of course has
retired from that. So I think Dyna Moightley and Barbara
and Lee gonna get that done. And so looking forward
to the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast continuing on November the fourth,
and I think they're gonna be right back at first Baptist.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
All right, Mayor, A good deal, that is good. I
got a question I thought about this. Chuck Beans is
going to be a new counselman and he's on the
school board. When will that When will he have to
retire resign from it? And how will that work?
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Mayor? You know, that's that's a great question. Mark. I'm
guessing that you will need to sign uh in October
because he becomes a council member in November, and then
the city Council will appoint a member to replace Chuck
on the school board. And I've heard several names banded about,
(21:25):
but oh, I have to I don't know, because that's
that's up to the up to the council. And I
got involved in that baut fifteen years ago, and I
thought that everybody on the school.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Board ought to have children and up like amen to that,
and I think, uh, I think by and large, most
most of them do, not all of them, No, not
all of them at all, no one.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
So they will do that, and so I'm guessing it'll
be in October when that one.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
All right, Thank you, may I appreciate it. And look,
you hired me over thirty five years ago right here,
and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you.
I love you dearly. You and miss Laura were so
good to me Gary, and you still are. So thank
you for that.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
Oh my listen, my pleasure. And you've been good. You've
been good to me and good to us, and we
appreciate you. And you know Mark, I love Gopalaka. This
is my adopted's hometown. I grew up in Dayvielle, but
I remember back. I don't know where Laura's mother died.
It's been a number of years ago. We're coming back
from She was buried over Mississippi. And Laura said, you
(22:35):
want to be buried in Davie. We go parents, or
what I said? I said, my home to Plaka. There
you go, spend home of my bowets, spend to turn
it a year and uh and I love my mama
and daddy and loved Dabel. But uh, you know our
children were born here in unflaca and so this will
always be home. So I'm looking for I'm gonna get
(22:58):
involved in some stuff. I don't know what, but I'm
gonna get involved in some things. And I want to
contribute if I possibly can, to our community remains successful
and see if there's some areas that I can help in.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
I know you will, Mayor, and thank you very much.
We look forward to more counsel reports from you. Okay,
all right, have a great day, Mayor. Thank you, Yes, sir,
Just now it's time to go to the Hambleton's sideline.
The first and third wins Wednesday of every month. We
have city council reports for Valley, opel Like and Auburn.
They presented to you by four seasons. Federal Credit Union
with two locations in Oplaika. Before we go to mayor Fudo,
let's hear from four seasons Federal Credit Union for season,
Federal Credit Union home road in the world.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
The differences of people, friends and nab you for checking
saving zor loan serving us in nineteen sixty four.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Are your back to school expenses? Adding up four seasons
Federal Credit Union makes it easy to stay ahead with
flexible loan options for tuition, school supplies, and even newer
used vehicles with fast approvals, great rates and terms that
fit your budget. Apply online anytime at four seasons FCU
dot Com. That's four seasons FCU dot Com or visit
a local branch today. Account's federally insured by NCUA membership
(00:59):
eligib Well he required long and subject to approval, equal
opportunity to lender. Ask for more details.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Boy didn't stay real, Grady Junior.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
Man, I do my bankhead for seasons along with Jeff
with two locations on Marvin Parkway and Pepperell Parkway. Time
to go to high Top City Hall in downtown Opelika,
our twenty year mayor who was about to close it
out about two more months. That's hard to believe, but
he is live on the habit of outline, the honorable
Mayor of the City of Opelaca, and my good friend
Gary Fuller, Good morning mayor.
Speaker 4 (01:33):
Hey, good morning to do Mark. Jeff. Great to be
with you guys, And uh, I know Jeff's happy as
he braves. What double oneheader yesterday that did too little,
too late? And although I saw Chris pitch him a
little bit and uh looked like he was throwing well.
So anyway we can mark this season off, hopefully brings
(01:55):
some young guys up Jeff from uh from the farm
and uh let him get little playing time and uh
maybe we find sufistic before next spring.
Speaker 5 (02:04):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (02:04):
Hey, hey, we're not mathematically eliminated, man, you know now
just hang on from get a E by the name
where they been eliminated.
Speaker 4 (02:16):
So well, it's it's uh, I think it's just a
matter of time and they.
Speaker 6 (02:22):
Lose two more games, that's uh.
Speaker 4 (02:24):
Yeah, yeah. Uh, anything could happen, but uh, that'd be
the shocker of the center.
Speaker 6 (02:31):
It would just like it would be just like our
braves to do it too.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Oh yeah, yeah, Well guys, it's it's it's great to
be with you. We had a terrific council meeting last night.
It was short and sweet. Tik my hat to the
mayor elect and the President of the City Council Eddie Smith.
I was home by I think by six thirty and
U my part of the uh of the shortened street
(02:58):
sweet had the I did maybe one applointment, that's Tom
Pentton to the Opeca Planning Commission, Mark the mayor. Under
our form of government, the mayor appoints two boards without
any input from the City Council. One is the Housing
Authority Board and those five members, and the other is
(03:21):
the Planning Commission and the mayor of points eight of
the nine Planning commissioners, the city council appoints one of
their own to be on the Planning Commission. So Mike
Hillier resigned, and Mike works out of town now, so
it was kind of a hardship on him to get
(03:42):
in here for commission meeting. So he resigned and I
appointed Tom Pinton to the Opahaka Planning Commission. His term
will end this turn will end in February of twenty
twenty six, so the councilor will need to reappoint him
at that time. Then I can hand it out. They've
got the city's financial report for August, and then Joey Moightley,
(04:06):
our administrator, had the August building permitted report, and Mark,
I want to share us the number with you and
Jeff for the month. With one of our key numbers
that we always look at are single family homes. So
in the month of August we permitted thirty new single
(04:27):
family homes a permitted value of eight point six million dollars.
The total permitted value for everything for all permits in
August was eleven point nine million. Year. Today, our permit
total was one month left to go in the year
is one hundred and seventy four point three million. Of that,
(04:50):
four hundred and ninety two new single family homes at
a permitted value of one hundred and twenty four million dollars.
So we continue to build houses. Folks continue to move Gopalaika.
They moved because of great jobs and because of great schools,
So I'm glad to have that report from Joey last night.
(05:12):
And then the the I think the big thing out
of the council during the work session, our Controller UH
Cindy Boyd, spoke with the council about the FY twenty
sixth budget, which goes into effect October first, that's the
beginning of our new year. The council really didn't have
many questions about that, and then when it came up
(05:34):
on the agenda of the council approved it. So we
got the budget in place, and I think it shows
us with a with a slight number in the black
for the year. But typically the way we do that
is we were very very conservative on revenue and we're
(05:56):
not quite as conservative on expenses. So the end of
the year, we hope our expenses will be less and
our revenue will be more and that gets a little
plus column, and then we've put that in our savings
account so we can do things like build that new
lodge down at Springville Park, and that is really gonna
(06:17):
be a nice asset. It's gonna be beautiful and I
think it's gonna open sometime this fall, so it's gonna
be very very nice. And listen, folks are in enjoying
full park mark. I know you had Cojo spent a
lot of time over there, but they now playing football
there on Saturday mornings on that artificial turf, and I
(06:37):
think a good time has been had by Hall. I
need to get by there on Saturday morning much to play.
The council did a flit of the special appropriation for
National Night Out. Our event will be at Courthouse Square
on October seventh.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
That is.
Speaker 4 (06:55):
Coming up. That's the first Tuesday in October, and that'll
be at Courthouse Square. And then we're doing we're working
with Parks and Director, Health Fair Sports Flex And then
the council didn't approve an emergency repair to the Northeast
Industrial Park sewer that was a little over six hundred
(07:17):
thousand dollars that we had had to spend because of
a break in the line. We brought a few automobiles
last night, bought some pleaground equipment for west Ridge Park,
marking tho there you go talk about that a few
months ago two hundred and fifty two thousand for a
new playground equipment for west Ridge Park. And then of
(07:37):
course we've still got work to do with West Ridge
and we're doing it. Really pleased with how that's coming along.
The council did have the second reading on two ordinances.
One approves three hundred and four acres half on Ridge
Road from R three and C two to a pub
(08:00):
playing unit development. And then the council had the first
reading for an electric Rate and Surplus Revenue ordinance and
that will come up at the first council meeting in
October for a prutal. So, you know, buying Laarge, I
think that was I think that was about It had
some just some general different things to pass and so
(08:24):
I think a good time was had by by all. Mark.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
Well that's good, Maryor how much is it? What do
you got in there for wests the whole park coming
up next year? What kind of renovations is there any
kind of I don't have that.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Number in front of the sound can probably tell you.
And I know part of that. And we've been you know,
we've been looking at that new playground equipment and it's
been ordered and h and of course, you know, a
couple of years ago we replaced the school board. Then
you know, we had a group come in and Mark,
I don't know what you call this where they level
(08:57):
up the field and they laser grading it what they did,
ye yeah, and uh, I'm going to continue to do that.
This past year, we've replaced all the fixtures in the
bathrooms and we've we think we were about eliminated the
older problem that was coming from one of our industries. Uh.
They've been working with us and we've been working on it,
(09:19):
and we think we've bout got that bat got that
solved and and uh and and good good for and
it needed to be solved, sou West Ridges.
Speaker 6 (09:31):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
I think with you know, the stuff that they will
continue to do. I think you see still see a
lot a lot more action. And how many kids did
you have playing baseball this summer? Mayor?
Speaker 1 (09:42):
We had a little over one hundred in my group
thirteen through fifteen year olds. We had eight teams, one
of my largest leads we've.
Speaker 4 (09:48):
Had, so I was going to last kind of compared
us to past year.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
One of our larger ones. We've had six to eight.
The last several since COVID has been fantastic Mayory. It's
been booming. We went from five before co with up
to eight since COVID. So baseball has been a big,
big big happening, and they're out there on that park
seven days a week. As you know from hearing some
complaints about lock gate, so you know all about that.
Speaker 4 (10:12):
Well, but I think now folks understand if they will
call and reserve and and some ways to do that.
And as you know, Mark, part of the problem with
folks coming from Tim Buck too and using our park,
and uh, that's that's really designed for Opelika folks. And anyway,
I think that's good. Mark. I thought I thought for
(10:33):
sure you or Jeff would ask me about the fact
that I got to call the first play offensive play
in the off I thought.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
We talked, do we not?
Speaker 5 (10:41):
You know what?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
Let me tell you this.
Speaker 1 (10:43):
I think it's good and it's sad at the same time.
And let me explain why I'm sad that it's taking
twenty one years from one of them coaches to let
you call the play. So I'm like, do y'all not
understand he wants to call a place to tell Brian
would you plead? I mean, would you please let him.
Speaker 4 (11:01):
Call the play?
Speaker 1 (11:02):
And then Kayla Ross I was like, Caleb, he's got
to call the play, So good for Brian Moore Man
and you got four yards. I understand we did.
Speaker 4 (11:10):
And uh, and let me tell you what I gotta think,
Chief Healey, and I think our new superintendent, doctor Kevin Davis.
I think Chief mentioned that, uh to Kevin, and Kevin
may have mentioned it to Brian and and there was
some stuff going on there, I think. And uh, but
I was so pleased. Coach call me on Friday of
(11:31):
the Auburn game and he's he was telling me free
options to look at for that first play, and uh,
so I came up with the one that we wanted
to call and uh, and back on it. We did
get four yards and uh but uh, I don't need
to call any place.
Speaker 6 (11:49):
I thought she was gonna tell what you called the
last play.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Now, Dad burned that there was a heartbreaker, and uh,
let me tell you what. I took Andrews and Am
to lunch over Bow and Aaron. They grinning like Jessic
Katz and enjoying that lunch. But you know what, I
won't be the mayor next year, but I'm gonna have
that same lunch wager with liose guys. The only way,
(12:13):
the only way I can come back is I got
to win my way back. But you know what, a
great rivalry that's been for a hundred years and it
will continue to be a great rivalry. And I think
fans on both sides behave themselves and that's always a
good thing. And you know, it was a bitter loss
for the Bulldogs, but we're having a great year and
(12:37):
I'm looking forward to going to Smith's Friday night. And
as Smith's, they having a little better year than they've
been having.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
Mayor. They did win their opener, they've struggled since then.
They got a new coach, Blair Harrison. He's going to
do a good job. He's got a lot of wins
under it belt under his belt. But as far as
how much better they are this year, they're better, Mayor,
But I just don't know how much They've got such
a long way to go. And I don't mean that
being you know, derogatory to any young man or young
person out there.
Speaker 4 (13:04):
Yeah, well, it's just kind of the nature of the beast.
And uh, you know, want the programs down, it just
takes a while to get it back. And of course,
big weekend for the Auburn University Tigers is that Norman.
We've got some folks that are traveling out there to
see the game, and uh, well, wouldn't that be something
for Auburn to go out there and beat Oklahoma on
(13:25):
their home field. I think they're going to well good,
I tell you what, what I'll be looking at it.
I think it's the two thirty game, isn't it?
Speaker 5 (13:33):
Yes?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
Or it is there?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
It is, so that would be good. And of course
Alabama's off this week and they'll uh they got an
easy game following week. Oh wow, Georgia. I think somebody
said Georgia has won thirty three straight in Athens and
uh so, uh, we'll see which Alabama team shows up
(13:56):
over there. And I think Georgia be a little different
content to Monroe or Wisconsin and uh and uh well
we'll find out a little more about that. But uh,
high school ball is you know, in full of swing
and we're excited about that. And I guess you got
all the coaches coming to mos tonight.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Yes, sir, Mayor. We usually have between sixteen around sixteen there,
sixteen to eighteen, and we have a blast and it's fun,
Mayor talking to all those coaches.
Speaker 3 (14:25):
It really is.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
Oh, I know it is, and you know, we uh
we you know, we get excited about high school football,
uh in the South and uh and we love to
you know, to watch our kids and not only the
kids on the field, but you know, we got band,
we got cheerleaders, and uh we got parents that come
to see the band. And it's it's a it's a
(14:47):
family kind of atmosphere. And uh, well, I like I
like the job that coach Moore was doing and his assistance,
and I think we you know, is it would it
be possible for us to get another shot at all?
Speaker 6 (15:01):
Ooh?
Speaker 1 (15:01):
It possibly, Look, I think it would. We could be
It could either be in the sink what it could
be the quarter semis of the championship. I'd have to
see how it laid out, mayor, but certainly we could.
Absolutely if we go far enough and they go far enough,
we could match each other, no doubt.
Speaker 4 (15:16):
Well I'd love to see that again. But anyway, we'll
see what happens down the road. Guys, thank y'all for
allowing me to be on win. We've got two more
of these to do.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
Mark, I was wondering, may that's gonna be tough, man,
that's gonna be sentimental for me? Now, I ain't gonna
I tell you as close as we are. And as
many years as we've done this, that's unbelievable. It's been
about nineteen years on the Mark that you've done this.
Because we're going into show year nineteen coming in January,
I knew.
Speaker 4 (15:45):
It had been a lot long time. And what a
what a great thing y'all do for to help the
city and for our citizens, for us to have this
vehicle to talk with folks and discuss, you know, city business.
And so I'm sure Heavy is gonna want to do
(16:05):
the same thing, Mark, And I'm not sure you'll want
to come down the City Hall just early in the morning.
But doing this, I got in a habit. You know,
I could do it at home, but I just kind
of like coming down here and it's kind of quiet
usually at this time of the morning. Only other person
here is the Vice mayor, Jack Robin, Big Jack, Big Jack,
(16:28):
and he's busy. I rarely see Jack in the building,
but he's around somewhere. But uh, you know, we got
we got three new folks coming on the city council.
You got Janatica Homes, Lee Whiteley, and Chuck Beams. And
we had a little it orientation for him for two
(16:50):
I'm yesterday Chuck was out of town, but Janatica and
Lee came and met our information technology team and got
their iPad and some instructions, and so we're beginning to
get them acclimated and we'll do a little orientation form
probably in October, and then there's a mandatory thing that
(17:13):
the state does for newly elected folks, and so they'll
participate in that and get them all trained up and
ready to go. The squaring in for the new council
and what is called their organizational meeting, Mark, will be
on Monday, November the third, and I think that's set
(17:35):
for six pm. They'll square in the new mayor and
all five of the council members, and then the council
will vote and decide who the President of the Council
is gonna be and who the president Protem's gonna be,
and then they'll go from there. And then the next night,
Tuesday the fourth, they will have their first council meeting.
(17:57):
And someone asked me if I was gonna go to
the council meeting.
Speaker 1 (18:00):
I said, what do you think, negative ghostwriter, said Mark.
Speaker 4 (18:07):
I asked a figure up. I said, twenty five years
because I went to council meetings when I was on
the council. And if you went to have twenty four
a year, you know, if you went to twenty a year,
that's five hundred, five hundred council meetings in twenty five years.
(18:28):
And I think I went more than twenty a year.
But that's a lot of Dad Marned counsel meeting and
Guy Gunner excuse me, the guy Gunner, but right there
with every one of those two.
Speaker 1 (18:40):
Mark, I know, I know, so a lot of city work,
a lot of city work. Are you ready to go,
mayor are you ready to kind of get out of there?
Speaker 3 (18:47):
You?
Speaker 1 (18:47):
I know you love your job. Now I don't mean that, but.
Speaker 4 (18:51):
God, and you know, Mark, it'll be a little bit
of an adjustment. I was talking to a friend the
other day and I said, you know, it's kind of
like when Laura and I sold the radio.
Speaker 1 (19:00):
I know, I remember that I was a little lost there.
Speaker 4 (19:03):
For a little period. All of a sudden, I wasn't
in the flow of things. So I'm on probably miss
the action part of this, right, but you know, it's
it's all part of that great, big circle of life.
It was time for us to get some new leadership
and Eddie was ready and he's gonna do a terrific job.
(19:26):
I want him to be more successful than I've been
and and I think we all ought to want that
for our successors, that they agree successful. And because I'm
I'm going to continue to live here. This is my home,
so I'm looking forward. I think I'm going to have
a little office at it hope lack of power and
(19:47):
a little place that i can go and hang my
had I'm still involved with the U. It's now called
the South Energy Southeast. That's the old Alabama Municipal Electric Authority,
which hope like some member of that. So I'm gonna
be around, and I'm gonna be around to have Eddie
if he needs any help. And we've already met several
(20:09):
times and he's got some things going. Number one on
his list is get the annual prayer breakfast, which is scheduled.
I think he's gonna do it on Tuesday morning, November
the fourth, Okay, And that's something that we did for
twenty well we missed one year because of COVID, but
we did that twenty one years and Lucinda Cannon had
(20:32):
been the chair of that and she of course has
retired from that. So I think Dyna Moightley and Barbara
and Lee gonna get that done. And so looking forward
to the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast continuing on November the fourth,
and I think they're gonna be right back at first Baptist.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
All right, Mayor, A good deal, that is good. I
got a question I thought about this. Chuck Beans is
going to be a new counselman and he's on the
school board. When will that When will he have to
retire resign from it? And how will that work?
Speaker 4 (21:01):
Mayor? You know, that's that's a great question. Mark. I'm
guessing that you will need to sign uh in October
because he becomes a council member in November, and then
the city Council will appoint a member to replace Chuck
on the school board. And I've heard several names banded about,
(21:25):
but oh, I have to I don't know, because that's
that's up to the up to the council. And I
got involved in that baut fifteen years ago, and I
thought that everybody on the school.
Speaker 5 (21:39):
Board ought to have children and up like amen to that,
and I think, uh, I think by and large, most
most of them do, not all of them, No, not
all of them at all, no one.
Speaker 4 (21:52):
So they will do that, and so I'm guessing it'll
be in October when that one.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
All right, Thank you, may I appreciate it. And look,
you hired me over thirty five years ago right here,
and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you.
I love you dearly. You and miss Laura were so
good to me Gary, and you still are. So thank
you for that.
Speaker 4 (22:12):
Oh my listen, my pleasure. And you've been good. You've
been good to me and good to us, and we
appreciate you. And you know Mark, I love Gopalaka. This
is my adopted's hometown. I grew up in Dayvielle, but
I remember back. I don't know where Laura's mother died.
It's been a number of years ago. We're coming back
from She was buried over Mississippi. And Laura said, you
(22:35):
want to be buried in Davie. We go parents, or
what I said? I said, my home to Plaka. There
you go, spend home of my bowets, spend to turn
it a year and uh and I love my mama
and daddy and loved Dabel. But uh, you know our
children were born here in unflaca and so this will
always be home. So I'm looking for I'm gonna get
(22:58):
involved in some stuff. I don't know what, but I'm
gonna get involved in some things. And I want to
contribute if I possibly can, to our community remains successful
and see if there's some areas that I can help in.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
I know you will, Mayor, and thank you very much.
We look forward to more counsel reports from you. Okay,
all right, have a great day, Mayor. Thank you, Yes, sir,
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