Purchase will settle decade-old debate over house
The Andalusia City Council settled a decade-old dispute Tuesday when it agreed to buy two lots at the intersection of Sheraton Drive and Lindsey Bridge Road.
The council, which authorized the purchase of the lots for $33,000, intends to put a pedestrian park there, with benches and lighting, for the convenience of those who use new sidewalks in the area and need a place to rest, Mayor Earl Johnson said.
The owner of the lots, Nathan Frank, has 60 days to remove a house or the city will demolish it, Johnson said.
The house has been a bone of contention for residents of the area who said it did not meet the standards of nearby Meadowbrook Subdivision for more than 10 years. Frank moved the house to the lots, but then learned the lots were zoned commercial. The Planning Commission denied a request to rezone the property residential in 2007, and outrage over the structure led the city council to pass a house-moving ordinance.
Mayor Earl Johnson helps demonstrate the Christmas in Candyland app, an augmented reality app, which is available for free. The app allows users to capture Candyland magic by adding snow to photos, or to find enchanted characters throughout the venue which add interesting items - like this snow scene and train - to photos.
The Andalusia City Council last night authorized a total budget of up to $96,000 for Christmas in Candyland, but expects to recoup a portion of its expenses in ticket sales and sponsorships.
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Chrissie Duffy outlined the event budget, adding that a good portion of the budget is for capital expenses, including a new train engine for the Candyland Express, the development of a new Christmas in Candyland app, and a new maze.
Because the Candyland Express runs constantly when the venue is open, and is always pulling weight, the original train engine is beginning to show wear. The new engine will include a diesel engine, and the existing engine will be used as a back-up.
Duffy said the city recoups part of its expenses from ticket sales for the Polar Bear Slide and ice skate rentals, which usually generate an income of $30,000 during the month-long event.
This year, Duffy said, there also is a new website for the event, christmasincandyland.com, which includes information about lodging, dining and other local attractions for those who travel to Candyland from outside the market. It opens Dec. 1.
First United Methodist Church on Sunday broke ground on a 6,500 square foot addition that will provide classrooms and a play area for children while improving security and incorporating technology into the learning environment.
The project, which is the second phase of major construction project undertaken by the church, is expected to be completed in 2019.
Speaking from the pulpit on behalf of the board of trustees and finance committees, Billy Bergfield said the project also includes a main entrance and new lobby that will provide direct access to both of the church’s elevators.
Once the construction is completed, the existing children’s wing will be demolished, and additional parking will be added.
At the groundbreaking following Sunday morning’s service, Mayor Earl Johnson was invited to share some thoughts.
Johnson quoted Winston Churchill, who said, “First we shape our buildings. Thereafter, our buildings shape us.”
The mayor talked about the importance of the Methodist buildings through the years, not just to church members, but to the community, as the setting for Boy Scout meetings, elementary school outings, and many other events.
Sarah Sightler, who represented the church’s architectural committee, said as a lifelong member of the church, she is excited to watch the project unfold, ultimately offering opportunities for her own children.
the first phase of construction included renovating the fellowship hall and kitchen, as well as addressing water damage in several places, including the church’s iconic bell tower.
U.S. Marine Corps Major (Ret.) Christopher Lawson will be the guest speaker at this year’s Veterans Day program, set for Mon., Nov. 12, immediately following the parade.
Lawson is a graduate of Pleasant Home High School and currently works in the Social Security Administration office in Andalusia.
During his 21-year military career, he was stationed in Quantico, Va.; Parris Island, S.C.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Gainseville, Fla.; Cherry Point, N.C.; Whidbey Island, Wash.; Pensacola; Iwakuni, Japan; and San Antonio, Texas.
He was deployed in 2007 to WestPac in Iwakuni, Japan; and in 2008 and again in 2009 to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq.
He received the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal (5th Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism, Drill Instructor Ribbon, Recruiter Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Commendation, Sea Service Deployment (3rd Award), Overseas Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), and National Defense Medal (2nd Award).
He also earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Auburn University in 2002.
Lawson is the son of Dige and Patricia Lawson of the Pleasant Home community. He and his wife, Renee, have two sons, Blake, 19, a University of Alabama student; and Brian, 17, a senior at Pleasant Home High School.
The annual Veterans Day parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Andalusia High School and end at the Covington County Veterans Memorial. High school bands from area high schools will be marching in the parade.
The Andalusia and Opp Fire Departments partnered up to travel Marianna, Fla., to help their fellow fire departments after Hurricane Michael.
“We helped with everyday operations,” Opp Fire Chief Cory Spurlin said. “We helped routine fire calls, daily operations and medical calls.”
Spurlin said that the devastation in Marianna is still affecting the community.
“It is still terrible there,” Spurlin said. “It is still a mess. The power is going to be out for a while, stores aren’t open, the pictures don’t do it justice and this wasn’t even one of the towns that was hit the hardest.”
The group went down to Florida because the fire chief in Marianna called Spurlin to ask him for assistance.
“Chief Lovett called me and asked if we could go down there and help with routine fire calls,” Spurlin said. “So I called Russell McGlamory, the Andalusia fire chief, and with the mayor’s permission we sent a group of our guys down there.”
Along with the routine fire calls, the group helped with clearing the roads in Marianna.
“On Monday we helped clear roads,” Spurlin said. “There are still lots of roads that aren’t cleared yet. A search and rescue team from South Florida came as well to go to each house and knock on doors to make sure they aren’t missing anyone.”
Spurlin said that they had to respond to a couple of construction fires while there.
“A lot of people down there have improperly wired generators,” Spurlin said. “So that is what is causing a lot of the fires that we responded to.”
Despite the tragedy, Spurlin said that going to Marianna was rewarding.
“You really find out who the good people are during a tragedy,” Spurlin said. “Being able to help our neighbors during something so traumatic is very rewarding. The people were very appreciative of our being there and that meant a lot to us.”
Andalusia Fire Chief Russell McGlamory said that he was more than happy to send some of his firefighters down to Marianna.
“I was working here when Opal hit, and there were so many volunteers that came here to work,” McGlamory said. “So when they asked me if I would send my guys there were several guys willing to go.”
McGlamory himself did not go, but he said according to the group that went, the devastation is still horrible.
“According to my guys, it is a lot worse than what we are hearing about,” McGlamory said.
McGlamory said that if the Marianna Fire Department called again, he would gladly send more people.
“We had so many guys willing to suit up and go,” McGlamory said. “So if they call again, we most likely would send people.”