The Andalusia City Council is considering changes in sanitation in Andalusia. Under the proposed plan, the monthly cost to residents and businesses would increase $5 per hobo or “wheeled container,” per month. The cost to the city for removing trash, garbage and lawn debris is almost $1 million each year. Current fees only account for about seventy – five percent of sanitation costs to the city. The proposed changes would recover the expenses and provide more litter control in Andalusia.
Sales taxes up for 3rd consecutive December
Sales tax collections for the City of Andalusia in December indicate that those who visited Candyland did more than take advantage of the free downtown event.
Sales tax collections were 3 percent higher for December 2016 (collected in January 2017) than in December 2015. The increase of $27,041 in collections in 2016 represents $600,911 in retail sales. Sales tax collections were up 2 percent for the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 (October through December of 2016) over the same period last year.
Figures provided by Andalusia City Clerk John Thompson show the collections have increased each of the past three Decembers, in which Candyland activities and traffic have also increased. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said retail stimulation is just one of the goals of Candyland, which is produced in a partnership of the Chamber, city, and private businesses.
“The event has three main goals, tourism, retail stimulation and community involvement,” Duffy said. “We brought roughly 30,000 visitors to the downtown area of Andalusia in December of last year, many of whom came across county and state lines.
“For a small rural town with no beaches or other draws, this is a huge accomplishment,” she said.
While the retail growth is impressive, Duffy said another amazing thing happened.
“Our community took pride in the event and found a new reason to be proud of the place we all cherish and call home,” she said.
The event also generated positive publicity and exposure for the community.
“According to our social media channels – 200,743 people saw the Candyland event come through their newsfeed during the month of December,” she said. “Of those, 50,073 either commented, shared, liked or tagged the event.” Most of those people were from outside of Covington County, she said.
The event also received positive press locally, and across the state and region.
The Covington Arts Council will present the Montana Repertory Theatre production of Barefoot in the Park on Mon., March 6.
Neil Simon wrote the romantic comedy, which opened on Broadway on Oct. 23, 1963, and ran for 1,530 performances. It was Simon’s longest-running hit, and the 10th longest-running non-musical play in Broadway history. Read More>
Andalusia Star News
A giant, 100-foot wide octopus will greet those who attend Meredith’s Miracles’ 11th annual Cookies with Characters today, Sat., Feb. 25. The decor was designed to carryout the theme of this year’s show, “Belle’s Birthday Beach Bash,” featuring Frank Shaffer as Sebastian the crab and Alyssa Jones as Belle. Shown are members of the crew who worked tirelessly this week to get the Kiwanis Community Center ready for the event, including... Read more>
Andalusia Star News
Some 70 characters will perform at Saturday’s Cookies with Characters event. The event is held annually and sponsored by Meredith’s Miracles, a non-profit organization that assists families with non-medical expenses such as hotels, food, gas, etc.
There will be two shows on Saturday at the Kiwanis Center. The Silly Show will be held at noon. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and will close at 2:30 p.m. A Glow Show will begin at 5 p.m. Doors will open at 4 p.m., and will close at 7:30 p.m.
In addition, there will be autographs and photos with characters, souvenirs and jumpy houses. Admission is $5 per person, which includes cookies, show and autographs. Tickets are available at Harold’s or at the door. For more info, call 427-5321.
Andalusia Star News