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  | | The Camellia Japonica pictured is currently in bloom in the Winter Garden of the Mobile Botanical Gardens. |
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Mobile County Commission District 2
News & Events
Commissioner Connie Hudson
January 26, 2012 |
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MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER HUDSON
| Happy Birthday Mobile County! 2012 marks Mobile County's 200th birthday. During our year-long Bicentennial celebration-which will culminate on December 18, 2012-every edition of this e-newsletter will feature special Bicentennial events, interesting historical facts, and even some folklore about our beloved County. For instance,
Did you know?...
Once upon a time, the shoreline of Coden featured a resort area known as the "Coney Island of the South." Tourists from all over the nation would come by train to visit the three-story Rolston Hotel. Two-hundred pound tarpons were pulled out of the surrounding bay waters. Jefferson Davis and Booker T. Washington walked the grounds. The Mobile County Commission will mark this historic site, once known as Portersville, at Rolston Park located at Coden Belt Road, west of Hemley Road. The ceremony (rescheduled-TBA) will include the unveiling of a historical marker citing the larger history of the site. The event will be part of an ongoing program by the Mobile County Bicentennial Commission to mark similar spots of historical significance throughout the county during the year. The Mobile County Bicentennial Commission, a volunteer, non-profit group that is planning the year-long county celebration, will be highlighting communities and unincorporated areas that once had a prominent role in the development of the County. Many of these areas are less well known today as cities and towns have developed around them. A new historical calendar also will be presented that features rarely seen photos of the earliest days of the community. It's time for us to get reconnected to our County's history and that we certainly shall, but let's also remember that Mobile County is moving forward and making great progress in improving services and quality of life and in procuring jobs for citizens through economic development initiatives. 2012 promises to be an exciting year for Mobile County. I believe that the best is yet to come!
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Commissioner Connie Hudson presents Mr. Jeff Yordon with a Lifetime Acheivement Award during the GoDaddy.com Mayor's Luncheon on Friday, January 6.
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Commissioner Hudson pictured with Chief Jessie McLaughlin (R) and several members of the Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Chunchula on a recent visit. Following the 2011 redistricting, the Oak Grove Department is now located within Commission District 2.
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2012 VOLUNTEER INCOME TAX ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
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HandsOn South Alabama (formerly Volunteer Mobile, Inc) and the Volunteer Income Tax Coalition now offers FREE Tax Assistance! The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers FREE tax help to those with low to moderate incomes ($50,000 and below). Certified volunteers help prepare basic tax returns in Mobile and Baldwin counties. Tax preparation assistance can help low-to-moderate income families, the disabled, the elderly and those with limited English proficiency in securing the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC), receiving up to $5,751 in tax refunds.
In 2011, local non-profits and numerous volunteers operated 16 volunteer tax sites in Mobile and Baldwin Counties helping 1,738 families claim $2,126,779 in tax refunds and credits. Over 115,000 people in our area qualify for this program.
To schedule an appointment call HandsOn South Alabama at 433-4456 or email vita@handsonsal.org. To locate the nearest VITA site call 211 or Click Here.
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WILMER YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BEGINNING NFL FLAG FOOTBALL REGISTRATION
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When: Registration 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays January 28, February 4, 11 and 18.
Where: Wilmer Park, Moffett Road, Wilmer
Open to all children ages 5-17. WYAA also offers football and cheerleading. The mission of WYAA is to provide a positive introduction to youth football and cheerleading, while reinforcing a positive self-image and sportsmanship.
Cost: $35 through February 11; $40 February 18. Multiple child registration discount is $5; each child has to be present at the time of registration to receive the discount.
Adult teams are being considered. Please contact the Wilmer Youth Athletic Association for more information at 944-7340 or Click Here to view their Facebook page.
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DISTRICT 2 FUNDED PROJECTS UPDATE
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SEMMES SENIOR CENTER
Plans for renovation of the Blackwell-Batson Estate, located at 9635 Moffett Road in the Semmes Community, are currently underway. The County purchased the Estate property in 2011 utilizing federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding in order to renovate the facility into a senior recreational facility. The building will undergo extensive renovations and the construction upgrading required by state code (also funded by CDBG). Once completed, the Center will feature such amenities as a dining hall, computer classroom, billiards room, exercise and fitness center and multipurpose/crafts and game rooms. Construction bid documents are scheduled to be opened February 1. The County will pursue plans to contract with the Semmes Woman's Club for operation and management of the Senior Center once construction is complete.
DROP-OFF RECYCLING CENTER
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A view from Hitt Road of the proposed Center.
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The aerial-view rendering of the proposed Drop-Off Recycling Center.
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The County has initiated plans to build a Drop-Off Recycling Center on the Southeastern parcel of the county-owned former Brewer Center property off Hitt Road. The Center will be funded through a Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) federal grant made available to each district in Mobile County for conservation-related projects. Currently the project is in the design phase and about 30% complete. The Drop-Off Recycling Center, as proposed, will be an attractive state-of-the-art well-buffered facility accepting glass, paper, plastic and electronic items. The County plans to contract operations and management services of the Center to Goodwill Easter Seals when construction is complete.
Click Here to view the preliminary site plan completed by Driven Engineering which also includes additional privacy fencing and vegetative buffering surrounding the Center.
MOBILE COUNTY DROP-OFF RECYCLING CENTER INFORMATIONAL MEETING
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8
Where: Church of the Redeemer, 7125 Hitt Road, Mobile
Join Commissioner Connie Hudson, Mobile County Environmental Services Director Bill Melton, and staff from Mobile County Engineering, Driven Engineering and Goodwill Easter Seals to learn more about the proposed Drop-Off Recycling Center to be located off Hitt Road on the former Brewer Center complex property.
For more information please call Commissioner Hudson's office at 574-2000.
MOBILE COUNTY BICENTENNIAL PAVILION
Plans are underway to construct a multi-purpose pavilion in Medal of Honor Park (formerly Cottage Hill Park) off Hillcrest Road in west Mobile. The Mobile County Commission and the City of Mobile entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreement that allows the County to manage the construction of the facility within the park. Once construction is completed, the facility will be maintained and operated by the City of Mobile. The Pavilion will be used for concerts, theatrical productions and performances, movies, markets, and other special community events. Funding for the project is through a City/County/Community partnership utilizing Commission District 2 funds, City Council District 6 funds (earmarked for the project in 2009), and two funding assistance grants from Mr. Blacksher Whitespunner and the J.L. Bedsole Foundation. Currently the foundation for the pavilion is in design and that work is being coordinated with pavilion drawings provided by RCP Shelters, Inc.
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MOBILE COUNTY FINANCIAL UPDATE & END OF YEAR REPORT
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 The December report reflects expenses for 6 biweekly payrolls and 3 monthly payrolls. For December we expect to see between 23% and 25% of the personnel budget utilized. The 25% is for departments that have only monthly payrolls. Salary reimbursements usually lag by at least one month. Operating expenses also lag by nearly a month. We expect departmental expenditures to be below 25% in this report. The funds associated with special projects in process have not been rolled forward at this report date.We have also included a report showing the number of employees on the payroll. This report reflects merit system employees only. We will update this report monthly and include it with the budget report. We are seeing a decline in the number of employees on payroll as departments implement the respective plans to remain within budget. At the end of the first quarter all expenditure categories are within expected range. Most appropriations are paid quarterly however some one time appropriations are paid in one payment. The 29% utilization is acceptable for this category. |
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DISTRICT 2 ROAD PROJECTS UPDATE
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District 2 road projects are moving along toward completion. Please Click Here to view a complete list of ongoing road projects in Mobile County Commission District 2.
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DISTRICT 2 ALDOT AND CITY OF MOBILE
ROAD PROJECTS UPDATE
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Please Click Here to view updates from the Alabama Department of Transportation on the Zeigler Blvd. project (Forest Hill Road to Athey Road and Schillinger Road to Cody Road ALDOT and City of Mobile Project) and the Highway 158 extension.
Road projects in the city limits of Mobile, paid for through the Mobile County Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Program, are complete, according to Roderick Harris with the City of Mobile Engineering Department, with the exception of some additional drainage work needed on Schaub Avenue in City of Mobile District 6. Please Click Here to view a complete list of the streets within the city limits of Mobile that were included in the PAYGO program using Mobile County PAYGO funding.
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DISTRICT 2 COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS | |
MOBILE CELEBRATES MARDI GRAS
When: January 21 to February 21
Where:Downtown Mobile
Mobile is not only recognized as celebrating the first-known American Mardi Gras celebration in 1703, but also as home to the "America's Family Mardi Gras," delighting both young and old from around town and across the nation. This magnificent celebration lasts for over two-and-a -half weeks and culminates on Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course teeming crowds of parade-goers. The floats are glowing spectacles manned by masked riders festooned in satin and sequins, and armed with crowd-pleasing "throws" such as beads, moon pies, doubloons and candy.
Click Here to view the 2012 Mardi Gras Parade schedule.
PRESS-REGISTER SENIOR BOWL EXPERIENCE & COCA-COLA MEET THE PLAYERS EVENT
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, January 27
Where: Arthur Outlaw Convention Center, 1 Water Street, Mobile
More than 10,000 fans flock to the Mobile Convention Center on the eve of the game each year to pose for pictures with players and enjoy several interactive displays, special activities and one-of-a-kind entertainment. Admission to both events is free, making them two of the more popular game week events each year. In addition to meeting the future stars of the NFL, fans can also meet NFL cheerleaders and enjoy interactive displays from the New Orleans Saints, Under Armour, the Marine Corps, Coca-Cola and AT&T. The Press-Register Senior Bowl Experience and Coca-Cola Meet the Players-truly an experience unlike any other.
For more information call 438-2276 or Click Here.
2012 SENIOR BOWL
When: 3 p.m. Saturday, January 28
Where: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, 1621 Virginia Street, Mobile
The annual Senior Bowl is the nation's most unique football game and football's premier pre-draft event. It features the country's best senior collegiate football stars and top NFL draft prospects on teams representing the North and South, coached by the entire coaching staffs from two National Football League teams. Senior Bowl practices are attended by over 800 general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts and other front-office personnel from the 32 National Football League teams, making Mobile and the Senior Bowl the week-long host to a one-of-a-kind NFL Coaches Convention.
Cost: $10, $18, and $24 seats available for purchase at the following venues:
Senior Bowl Ticket Office
151 Dauphin Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
432-4109 or 888-736-2695
Select Regions Banks locations: Pinebrook (340-8501) - 3950 Airport Blvd
Foley (943-1501) - 100 West Roosevelt Avenue
Malbis (626-0964) - 30083 Woodrow Lane
Tillman's Corner (602-1620) - 5436 Highway 90
University Oaks (660-1147) - 5202 Cottage Hill Road For more information contact the Senior Bowl Office at 432-4109 or Click Here to view their website. DINE FOR DISASTER RELIEF When: Saturday, January 28 Where: Ruby Tuesday locations across the State of Alabama. Please join Ruby Tuesday in their efforts to support victims of this Monday's deadly tornadoes. Ruby Tuesday locations across the state of Alabama will be hosting Dine for Disaster Relief as part of their Community Give Back Program. Click Here and print out the flyer, visit your Ruby Tuesday location of choice this Saturday, present the flyer to your server and 20% of your purchase will benefit Red Cross Disaster Relief. GULF COAST EXPLOREUM: MEGALODON- LARGEST SHARK THAT EVER LIVED
When: Saturday, January 28 through Sunday, May 6
Where: Gulf Coast Exploreum, 65 Government Street, Mobile
 The new Exploreum exhibit is devoted to a 60-foot ocean predator that vanished two million years ago. It features a 60-foot-long walk-through sculpture, fossil and modern shark specimens, as well as full-scale models and explores shark evolution and the importance of shark conservation. For hours of operation, tickets costs, and more information contact 208-6873 or Click Here to view the Exploreum website. WILMER COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 31 Where: Wilmer First Baptist, 13371 Moffett Road, Wilmer Invited guest speakers are candidates for upcoming elected offices: Pete Riehm (running for United States Congressional Office) and Eaton Barnard (running for Circuit Court Judge). For more information Click Here to contact Sharon Fox with WCAG on their Facebook page. CITY OF SEMMES COUNCIL MEETING When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 2 Where: City of Semmes Council Chambers, 7875 Moffett Road Unit C, Semmes For more information contact the City of Semmes at 649-8811 or Click Here to view their website. MOBILE TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD PUBLIC MEETING When: 1 p.m. Saturday, February 4 Where: New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 7220 First Street, Mobile The City of Mobile is initiating plans to apply to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for a Community Development Block Grant to make neighborhood improvements in the Mobile Terrace area. There will be a public meeting to discuss the neighborhood survey that will be part of the application. All residents of the area are encouraged to attend. For more information contact Jenny White with South Alabama Regional Planning Commission at 652-0585. 2012 AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GO RED FOR WOMEN INFORMATIONAL SESSION & LUNCHEON
When: 8 a.m . to 1 p.m. Tuesday, February 14
Where: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel, Downtown Mobile
This will be an informative and powerful day for women with educational breakout sessions, free health screenings, exhibit booths, fashion show, motivational speaker and Olympian Gail Devers, and true and inspirational stories from five local women about their struggles with heart disease and stroke. A heart healthy lunch will be served.
Cost: $75 per ticket or $1,000 sponsorship for a table of 8
For more information or to sponsor the event visit GoRedForWomen.org or Click Here to email Christina Quick, Regional Director.
CITY/COUNTY COMMUNITY MEETING & CANDIDATE FORUM When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23 Where: Christ United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 6101 Grelot Road, Mobile All citizens are invited to attend this meeting co-hosted by District 6 City of Mobile Councilwoman Bess Rich and District 2 Mobile County Commissioner Connie Hudson. This meeting will include an opportunity for invited judicial candidates for Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court to introduce themselves. Invited candidates are the presiding Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Charles Graddick, incumbent Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, Charles Malone, and former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore. The primary election is slated for Tuesday, March 13 and the general election is Tuesday, November 2, 2012. For additional information on this meeting you may contact Councilwoman Bess Rich at 208-7441 or Commissioner Hudson's office at 574-2000. MOB ILE BOTANICAL GARDENS GULF VEGETABLE GARDENING CLASSES When: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25 and 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 29 Where: Mobile Botanical Gardens, 5151 Museum Drive, Mobile Get the most and best vegetables from the Gulf Coast's unusual climate and soils. Take home Bill Finch's planting calendar and recommendations. Field demonstration, weather permitting. Cost: Members $25; Non-members $35 For more information or to view a list of upcoming events Click Here to view the Mobile Botanical Gardens website.
FRIENDS OF SEMMES 2012 AZALEA FESTIVAL
 When: Saturday, March 17
Where: Mary G. Montgomery High School, 4275 Snow Road, Semmes
Featuring azaleas in full bloom for purchase, this festival organized by the Friends of Semmes will also host the 9th Annual Azalea Beauty Pageant, the Azalea Festival 5K Run and a car, truck and bike show.
For more information Click Here to contact Terri Nelson, Azalea Festival Chairwoman for the Friends of Semmes (FOS) or Click Here to view the FOS website.
For more information on City of Mobile events Click Here.
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SPOTLIGHT ON COUNTY SERVICES
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Each edition of the District 2 E-Newsletter will highlight an area of service, service agency, or a county service that is funded by the Mobile County Commission.Mobile County Strickland Youth Center
Immediately upon becoming Juvenile Court Judge in 1965, Judge James T. Strickland recognized the need for a youth center for Mobile County. Judge Strickland obtained funding from local, state, and federal sources. The Mobile County Juvenile Court's new complex at 2135 Costarides Street in Mobile was dedicated on Sunday, July 2, 1973. Built on 15 acres, the 20,000 square foot facility was constructed for approximately $2 million dollars. The facility is equipped to house juveniles ages 12 to 17, 71 boys and 24 girls, who have committed misdemeanor offenses.
Juvenile Court Judge Edmond Naman manages Center operations and a total annual operating budget for the Strickland Youth Center of approximately $6.5 million. It is funded by Mobile County, the City of Mobile, the Department of Youth Services and various grants from the State of Alabama.
The Juvenile Court of Mobile County is committed to providing justice, protection, and inspiration through guidance, accountability, education, and effective community partnerships, thereby empowering our children and families to realize their fullest potential. Mobile County has outstanding resources to help build a strong family. Many of the programs are designed to give you tools to provide parenting tools. Programs offered include Stop the Madness, leadership programs for boys and girls, and counseling programs for troubled youth and their families The program LIFE: Lessons In Family Enhancement, which teaches communication skills, conflict resolution management, time management, freedom and responsibility, job skills, and information on domestic violence and goal setting. The program PACT: Parents And Children Together provides group counseling.
The philosophy of the Strickland Youth Center is that helping a troubled youth requires the active participation of the youth's entire family. Consistent with this philosophy, all treatment programs operated by the Center are designed to include family members.
For more information on the programming at the Strickland Youth Center or Mobile County Juvenile Court please Click Here. |
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CONTACT COMMISSIONER HUDSON
|  Commissioner Connie Hudson Mobile County Commission
P.O. Box 1443
Mobile, Alabama 36633 Office: (251) 574-2000
Office Fax: (251) 574-2001
Mailing Address: 205 Government Street, 10th Floor
Mobile, Alabama 36602
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