Former AU standout, Dallas Cowboy joins other sports greats in statewide hall of fame
Tommie Agee said he’s humbled by the support family members, former coaches, and new Andalusia friends showed this past weekend when he was inducted in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.
Agee, who is the director of leisure services for the City of Andalusia, grew up in Maplesville, and played football like his older brothers. It was there that he caught the eye of Auburn University, where he was a four-year starter at fullback as lead blocker for Bo Jackson. He finished his college career with 356 carries, 1,733 rushing yards, and 13 touchdowns.
He was drafted in the fifth round of the 1987 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He played six seasons in the NFL, which included playing for the Dallas Cowboys during their Super Bowl runs in 1992 and 1993.
“Dallas is where I found my niche,” Agee said. “I fell in love with the plays and the coaches. Jimmy Johnson reminded me so much of Pat Dye in the way that he worked us to death.”
“I never dreamed I’d be included in the Hall of Fame,” Agee said Tuesday. “I was blessed to play at Auburn, in the pros, and to win a Super Bowl ring, but this weekend took the cake.
“I was deeply humbled to be inducted with all of the other athletes,” he said.
His immediate family, including his children and grandchildren, were a part of the ceremony, but many other special family members and friends were, too.
“Coach (Joe) Whitt who recruited me to Auburn was there, and so was our dorm mother,” Agee said. “I had relatives who came from as far away as Florida and Dayton, Ohio. So many people from Andalusia also supported me, from my city co-workers, some members of the city council, and some park board members. It was just great.
“It was definitely a weekend I’ll never forget,” he said.
Other inductees with local ties include Robert Horry (basketball, 2010); Arthur P. “Tarzan” White (distinguished sportsmen, 1981) who was born in Lockhart in 1915; and Mal Moore (distinguished sportsmen, 2012), who was a native of Dozier.
The Andalusia Farmers Market’s first weekend was a success, weekend with most vendors selling out of their products by 9:30 a.m. Saturday, manager Allie Vuyovich said.
“I was super pleased with our first weekend,” Vuyovich said. “I really couldn’t have asked for a better day in terms of weather and the customers and vendors kept on saying that as well.”
Vuyovich said that a lot of the vendors sold out of products, but that is what she wants.
“I mean, you always want people to buy so much that you run out,” Vuyovich said. “But we are definitely going to have to work on getting more vendors and more products out there.”
Since it was at the new location on the square, Vuyovich said that they had the factor of people stopping just to see what was going on.
“We definitely peaked people’s curiosity this weekend,” Vuyovich said. “We have people impulse stopping now, which is exactly what we wanted. It was just very different from being at the Farmers Market building. We had some vendors that had cookies, lemonade and boiled peanuts, so it was nice for people who just wanted to stop quickly and get a snack and look around.”
Vuyovich said that for the coming week, they will be more prepared.
“Now we know exactly what to expect,” Vuyovich said. “The vendors are going to be prepared and bring a lot more produce, at least to keep them there until noon. I think with the farmers, they don’t want to pick too much and then not sell enough of it, so I think now since they know what they are getting into, they are going to pick a lot more. The set up and take down of the tents also went a lot more smoothly than I expected.”
She said that next Saturday there will be a sheet ready for people who are looking into becoming a vendor.
The Andalusia Farmers Market is open today from 7 a.m., until noon at the Farmers Market building at 256 Historic Central Street.
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.
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.
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.