New Colony Councilwoman Ethel Alexander, with Mayor Donnis Leeth / W.C. Mann
COLONY – The biggest order of business on the table at Colony’s town council meeting Tuesday was the selection of a new member to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Councilwoman Myra Twitty.
Both candidates who presented themselves last month appeared again before an apparently split council to offer their services.
Ethel Alexander, a former Boeing employee and retired teacher with a master’s degree in early childhood education, 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.
Melvin Hammond, a retired postal worker and Navy veteran, has lived in Colony since last July. He is a computer programmer and has been active in several civic and social organizations, holding various leadership positions.
After the two presented their credentials and reasons for seeking the office, Councilman Curtis Johnson made a motion to appoint Alexander. He, Mayor Donnis Leeth and Councilman Julian Fields voted in favor of the motion, while Councilwomen Jamelle Dimbo and Tammy Malcom abstained from the vote.
Alexander was presented her handbook and other paperwork, and is expected to be on board shortly.
Summer food program commended by the North Alabama Food Bank
Johnson reported that the summer food program is still going strong. It has averaged around 20 students on a typical day, and Wednesday special educational events have seen up to 46 in attendance.
Leeth reported on a recent visit by the North Alabama Food Bank’s Child Hunger Corps liaison Laurel Moffat.
The mayor stated, “We got inspected by Miss Laurel she said our summer food program is the best that they’ve got in Alabama. And she said that the kids we’ve got are real amenable; she asked them questions, they answered them good. They said the food was good, and that we treated them good.”
Colony’s summer feeding program was the first of all those in Cullman County to start, and the only one planning to serve food on every weekday in June and July (with the exception of July 4).
Other council business
The council approved a contract with Verizon that will cut the town hall’s phone bill from more than $300 to $105 per month, and allow the transfer of calls to the educational complex and community center.
Fields reported that crews will be working in the town soon to clear some ditches and install culverts. The contractor will install pipe supplied by residents, and will have pipe available for purchase. Interested residents should contact Fields or the town hall.
When the floor was opened for public comments, Hammond, the unchosen council candidate, put forth a plan for a town celebration called “Colony Day” to take place on Labor Day weekend, either on Labor Day or the Saturday before. His ideas included a picnic, 3-on-3 basketball tournament, kids’ games and food vendors, and he offered to take charge of planning. Council members were open to the suggestion, and put forth ideas of their own like a community softball game and craft vendors. Hammond will return to the next meeting with preliminary plans for discussion.
The Colony Town Council meets at Colony Town Hall on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
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