Last week, students got to construct an electronic circuit to power a light. / Patricia Ponder
COLONY – The latest Colony Town Council meeting included exciting news about the Town’s summer feeding and activity program. Meanwhile, the council reached its deadline for filling the seat vacated by Myra Twitty without a decision, so that the appointment may now be out of the Town’s hands.
Councilman Curtis Johnson reported that the summer feeding program has had more than 20 participants per day since it started two Mondays ago (the first site in the County to begin feeding for the summer). Town Clerk Patricia Ponder addressed the summer reading program that accompanies the feeding program, pointing out that 46 students attended last Wednesday, when "Build A Better World" kicked off with designing, constructing and testing obstacle courses and building electronic circuits to light a bulb and power a fan. On Wednesday, June 14, staff from the McWane Science Center in Birmingham provided the program.
When the council’s agenda came to the empty seat, two local residents presented themselves as candidates: Ethel Alexander and Melvin Hammond.
Alexander, a former Boeing employee and retired teacher, has lived in Colony for 14 years. She has been active in the area as a volunteer, planning and hosting events like the recent Black History and Senior Fashion programs.
Hammond, a retired postal worker and military veteran, has lived in Colony since last July. He has been active in several civic and social organizations, holding various leadership positions.
The council seemed clearly divided in members’ support for the two. Mayor Donnis Leeth stated that current policy requires at least one year of residency to serve on the council, and that Hammond could not be considered for that reason. Councilwoman Margaret Dimbo briefly appealed with an opinion that the residency requirement was only six months, but the mayor held to his position.
Johnson nominated Alexander to fill the seat. Leeth, as mayor, can vote but does not bring motions or seconds. With Councilman Julian Fields absent, Alexander’s nomination required a second by Dimbo or Councilwoman Tammy Malcom. Neither offered a second, and the motion ended with no action.
As the council will pass the 30-day deadline for filling the seat, the appointment question could possibly go to Gov. Kay Ivey’s office in Montgomery for resolution.
The Colony Town Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 6 p.m. in the town hall, with work session at 5:30. The public is invited to attend.
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