By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
The Atmore City Council took care of just one business item, the reappointment of Dr. Hugh Long to the city housing board, during the group’s Monday, March 13, meeting but also heard an update from city attorney Larry Wettermark on the progress of the city’s annexation plan.
“He’s been on that housing board since it’s been a housing board,” said Mayor Jim Staff of the local physician, who serves as team doctor for Escambia County High School’s football team. The measure passed by unanimous vote.
Wettermark then told the council the Alabama Legislature should begin consideration within a relatively short time of a bill to make the proposal law, once its regular session begins.
“As you know, we’re trying to unite the city proper, downtown, with our Rivercane property,” Wettermark said. “The bill is ready to be advertised. I talked to Senator [Greg] Albritton this morning, and he said as soon as the first day of the regular session starts, which will be later this month, it will be introduced and hopefully we’ll get approval as a local act, and the city will unite itself all the way to I-65. That’s great news for the city.”
The city attorney also announced that a group of landowners not included in the initial annexation plan have asked to have their property brought into the city.
“Secondly, we’ve received a request to be annexed into the city, by voluntary petition, of about 100 acres or so, on the west side of the industrial park, north of (U.S.) Highway 31,” he continued. “There are multiple owners. As soon as I get the petition drafted … I can get the signatures of all the property owners, and it will be on the council’s next agenda. All it takes is passage of a simple ordinance. That’s good news, too.”
The property, located near Alto Products, is reportedly owned by a trust, and Wettermark said he would work with the bank that established the trust to make sure all the landowners sign the petition.