Bessemer: A Fistful of Dollars

Continuing in the Clint Eastwood movie theme, money is what Bessemer will need: The Mayor of Bessemer is seeking approval of a bond issue ($5 to 8 million) to get our streets paved.


Mayor Ed May tried this last year, but the council voted it down deeming it a pre-election ploy. Our streets are in desperate need of paving. But is a bond issue the way to do it? I haven’t formed an opinion yet, because I don’t know what the terms of the bond issue will be. We certainly don’t want to be repaying bonds 12 years from now after the proposed repaving is obsolete in 10. Repaving only lasts a few years, and I am not sure all repaving efforts are of the same quality. So there are a lot of variables here. I will try to keep you posted.



This week’s tip of the hat goes to council person Jesse Matthews. Jesse was instrumental in getting the newly (almost) completed McNeil Park opened. Adults and children can use this park.


There is a playground area.

And a water play area.

And picnic tables provided by the Jefferson County Commission,
thanks to Commissioner Sheila Smoot.

Walking around the track I noticed this fruit tree blooming in an adjacent yard.

The park is located at 20th Ave and 13th St. Go by and take a look. And a walk. Thanks, Jesse.

Congratulations to Jess Lanier student Paula Montford for achieving the 2007 Girl Scout Gold Award. Paula is among twelve area girl scouts being recognized. She saw a need among health fairs to address health and safety issues among teenagers, and created a symposium that addressed spiritual health, nutrition and fitness, stress and depression and alcohol and drugs, smoking, safety and tattoos and piercings. The event was held at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church and was staffed by experts on the issues.

Coming soon to the Alys Stevens Center: hometown (Birmingham) Star Emmylou Harris. Will she bring MarkKnopfler with her? Click here to listen to “This is Us” by Emmylou and Mark. She is one of my long time favorites and I will certainly be there. The event is scheduled September 30.

http://www.hyfntrak.com/knopflerharris/nobuy/go.php

Actually you can listen to the whole cd "All the Roadrunning."



Also, there will be Candlelight Vigil at the fountain in Five Points South in Birmingham on March 19, 2007 to mark the anniversary of the Iraq War. The sacrifice of the more than 3000 soldiers who have given their life will be solemnly honored, and the path of the future contemplated. 5:30 pm. Sponsored by Birmingham Peace Project, Pax Christi, Birmingham One Corp and MoveOn.org. This is a nationwide event, come and take part.