Preacher asks mayor, council to attend awareness event
By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
During the Monday (September 11) Atmore City Council meeting, a local pastor formally invited Mayor Jim Staff and members of the city council to attend the upcoming gun violence awareness event.
The Rev. Jamel Frye told the city governors their presence at the event, set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, at Houston Avery Park’s baseball field, would enhance the feeling of community that organizers hope to achieve.
“Last time I was here, I didn’t ask for the city officials to be present on the 23rd, because I knew other organizations have got things going (the same day),” Frye said. “But I would like, if you guys are willing and able to come, would like for y’all to show up if possible. I would also like if some of the police department showed up, and I’m going to call Heath Jackson and see if I can get him to come.”
He pointed out the relationship between law enforcement and local residents, especially children, could be strengthened through the interaction, saying “it would “go a long way” in accomplishing that goal.
Frye and Staff discussed the gains already made through such events as Shop With a Cop and Patterson Street Fun Day, then the local pastor expressed the importance of having as many city government leaders as possible at the observance.
“Deep down inside me, I’m feeling that if some of the officials show up, it will have a positive outlook,” he said.
The four council members present (Mayor Pro Tem Shawn Lassiter was out of town and couldn’t attend.) also:
*Approved a request from Escambia County High School to have its homecoming parade on Friday, September 29. Participants will line up at the former YMCA building on Pensacola Avenue and at 1 p.m. will travel west to Main Street, turn southward on Lindberg Avenue and return to the school.
*Passed a resolution to apply for airport improvement grant through the Federal Aviation Administration’s AIP grant program. Alabama Department of Transportation will be the pass-through agency.
- Passed a resolution to apply for airport improvement grant through the Federal Aviation Administration’s AIG grant program. Alabama Department of Transportation will be the pass-through agency for those funds, too.
*Extended the Atmore Utility Board term of Hooper Matthews, which expires October 10. Staff said Matthews has agreed to serve another term.
*Approved a request from Concerned Citizens of Atmore to use Houston Avery Park on Monday, September 25, starting at 6:30 p.m., for a “National Day of Remembrance” observance for murder victims here and elsewhere. In 2007, the U.S. Congress designated September 25 as National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims.