Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center is preparing for its 24th Annual Senior Appreciation Day with an Alabama bicentennial theme on Thurs., March 28, at the Kiwanis Community Center.
Doors open 8:30 a.m. The show begins 9 a.m. with Ron Taylor and the Country Brand. Activities continue until 2:30 p.m., and admission and participation are free.
In keeping with the theme, organizers have added an Alabama trivia contest to this year’s events, starting at 11:10 a.m. Cash prizes will be awarded.
The baking contest also is Alabama-themed, and entries should include pecans as a main ingredient. Desserts should be at the judges’ table no later than 10:45 a.m.
There also will be a banner competition, talent contest, character contest, and dance content.
To help celebrate the bicentennial, Troy University will exhibit its Wade Hall Postcards: Historical Scenes of Alabama and the theme is Tourism in Alabama. This exhibit shows how people got here (rivers, trains, roads, etc.), where they stayed (hotels, motels, lodges, etc.), and what they saw (natural and man-made).
T-shirts are available for $14 to $18, depending upon size and color.
The event includes a Senior Trade Day. As in the old days, you can buy, sell and maybe even trade a variety of items, such as arts, crafts, jewelry or even yard sale items.
The event is sponsored by the City of Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center & Nutrition Center, with support from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Andalusia Health, and the Martha and Solon Dixon Foundation.
Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson on Thursday commended Covington County Commission for changing its plans to provide recently-acquired property to South Central Alabama Mental Health (SCAMH) for a forensic mental health facility,
Last week, the commission hosted a groundbreaking and reception at the property, located adjacent to the Covington County Jail, and joined the Alabama Department of Mental Health and SCAMH in announcing the new facility, touting it as an economic development project that would bring 25 new jobs.
But on Wednesday, Commission Chairman Greg White issued a statement saying he would ask the commission to rescind its offer to SCAMH when it meets on Tuesday, March 12.
Commissioner Kyle Adams also provided a statement to the media, and said other commissioners have already agreed to not offer the land to SCAMH.
The statements were issued on Wednesday at about the same time Johnson sent a letter to commissioners asking them to rethink their position.
“I commend Commissioner White and the county commissioners for taking another look at this project and listening to the voice of the citizens and their concern about the impact this facility would have on our community,” Johnson said Thursday. “I encourage them to reverse their decision and not support this at the county jail or anywhere else in Covington County.”
The mayor said he plans to attend the Tuesday meeting.
“I will, however, be at the county commission meeting on Tuesday to make sure that the voice of the people of Andalusia is heard by the county commissioners,” he said.
In his earlier letter to commissioners, he said he was dismayed to learn at last week’s groundbreaking that “murderers, rapists, and other potentially dangerous people could be housed indefinitely in this facility.”
He said he also was concerned that the project moved to the groundbreaking stage without an opportunity for public input.
“Since the groundbreaking, I have had the opportunity to do some legal research into the operation of such a facility and I have talked to legal professionals who deal with the kind of issues that such a facility will create,” he said. “This research and the unanimous opinions of these professionals has convinced me that the project should be stopped.”
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. on Tues., March 12.
The Andalusia City County on Tuesday got a closer look at new equipment recently acquired by the Public Works Department. Public Works Director Glynn Ralls explained that the new machine allows his department to repair pot holes and other damage to streets with hot mix rather than cold mix asphalt. The machine will hold 4 tons of asphalt, and has a timer so that it can be plugged in and timed to be “hot” when crews arrive at work. The equipment is a joint purchase of the city and the Utilities Board.
Shown from left are council members Hazel Griffin, Ralph Wells, Will Sconiers, Terry Powell and Kennith Mount.
Will be inducted during Thursday night’s Chamber banquet
Earl Johnson will join the distinguished list of members included in Andalusia’s Leadership Hall of Fame when he is inducted at the Chamber of Commerce banquet Thursday night.
Johnson is serving his fourth term as mayor of Andalusia, and leading his hometown through what many have described as a renaissance. During his tenure, hundreds of millions of dollars in private, corporate and government funding have been invested in the city’s infrastructure and businesses.
Johnson has worked hard to preserve the history of Andalusia, beginning in his first term with the renovation and repurposing of the beloved East Three Notch Elementary School as Andalusia City Hall. The preservation continued when, in a public-private venture, the Church Street Elementary School was renovated to become the Church Street Cultural Arts Center.
The formula was used again to preserve the former corporate headquarters of AlaTex as the home of the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.
More recently – and again through public-private partnerships – Andalusia’s downtown historic buildings were preserved and renovated to become Big Mike’s and Milky Moo’s, and the downtown home of Clark Theatres was upgraded to a state-of-the-art facility.
Johnson believes that first impressions count, and, with the support of the city council and numerous grants, has led the effort to improve East Three Notch, River Falls and South Three Notch streets, adding sidewalks and decorative lighting.
The son of a World War II veteran, Johnson also was instrumental in the development of the Veterans Memorial Park, where twice each year events pay tribute to those who have served in the military.
Mayor Johnson has worked with the education community to secure funding to enhance local education services and upgrade facilities, including the addition of a sixth grade wing at Andalusia Elementary; construction of the new Andalusia Junior High School, an indoor practice facility at Andalusia High School, and the ongoing renovations of the AHS stadium and auditorium.
During his tenure, quality of life for local residents also has been improved by continual investment in parks and recreation. Johnson Park was completely renovated, Kirkpatrick Park was added, and the city acquired historic Springdale, establishing its grounds as an additional park.
Long before he was an elected official, as a private pilot, Johnson was an advocate for the South Alabama Regional Airport, serving on its governing board. He has continued to push for infrastructure expansion there as mayor.
The Andalusia Industrial Park was improved and expanded during his tenure, and the city partnered with SaeHaeSung to build a state-of-the-art facility for the company.
He played an instrumental role in Shaw Industries’ decision to invest $250 million to upgrade its local facilities.
Even as he was leading these projects in Andalusia, he also was working to advance his collegiate alma mater, Troy University. He is a member of the Troy University Board of Trustees, and has served in many alumni roles. He was the founding president of the Troy Shield Society, the originator and chairman of the Quad Revitalization Committee, is member and general counsel of the Troy University National Alumni Association of Directors.
Mayor Johnson also is a graduate of the Cumberland School of Law and Samford University, where he earned his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1974. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar later that year, and has been continuously engaged in private practice in Andalusia since that time.
He serves on the board of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
He has been involved in the civic life of Andalusia through membership on the Andalusia Industrial Development Board, Covington County Economic Development Commission, Andalusia Downtown Redevelopment Authority, Andalusia Rotary Club, Andalusia Lions Club, United Fund, Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce, LBW Community College Foundation, and the Covington Arts Council.
He received the Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Award in 2012, and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Troy University in 2008.
He and his wife, Sylvia, are the parents of two daughters, and the grandparents of three granddaughters and one grandson.