CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala.- Municipalities throughout Cullman County are constantly receiving new information pertaining to COVID-19 (coronavirus) and making difficult decisions in an effort to help prevent the spread of the virus. The Tribune reached out to several mayors Monday to find out what measures are being taken. These details were accurate as of press time. Go to www.CullmanTribune.com for the very latest.
City of Hanceville
The City of Hanceville announced Monday afternoon changes to the Hanceville Municipal Court schedule.
Beginning March 16, 2020, the City asks all monthly payments be mailed in (money order or cashier’s check) to: Hanceville Municipal Court, 112 Main St. SE Hanceville, AL 35077.
Also, the following court dates have been rescheduled: March 23 is reset to May 18, April 13 is rest to June 8. The March 30 (Amnesty Docket) will be rescheduled at a later time.
If you have any questions, contact the Court Clerk at 256-352-9830.
Mayor Kenneth Nail addressed the community Monday afternoon during a Facebook Live video: “We are going to do a few things differently over the next few weeks. We decided to follow the school system and we are going to re-evaluate everything prior to April 6. I know school will be out until then. We are not closing city hall; it’s going to remain open, but we will ask that if you come to city hall, there will be a hand washing station. We ask that if you enter city hall that you use this.
“We are going to keep our windows closed at city hall. If you need anything from city hall, we will crack the window and pass it through the window. That is for our personnel’s safety and your safety also.
“We will re-evaluate this on April 6. Until then, we are suspending all activities at our parks. All park balls will be suspended. Any activities at our civic center have been suspended. The parks are still going to be open. We will be spraying the playground equipment a couple times a day just to be sure, with a Clorox solution.
“The fire department is suspending any burn permits until further notice. We do that this time of year, even with the flu we have done this in the past. We don’t want our folks with a lot of breathing difficulties to have trouble breathing because people are burning. Folks, we pick it up for free for you anyway inside the city limits of Hanceville.”
He went on to announce the closing of the Hanceville Public Library until further notice.
He urged everyone to use lots of soap and water and common sense, saying, “We are going to beat this thing.”
City of Good Hope
Monday afternoon, the City of Good Hope made several announcements including the closing of their facilities and the postponement of all youth league sports.
Mayor Jerry Bartlett released the following statement:
“Due to the National and State of Emergency over the COVID-19 virus, the City of Good Hope has POSTPONED Youth League Baseball/Softball. We will be following the lead of the Cullman County Board of Education scheduling as to when the practices and league play will start back. As of today, March 16, 2020, all City of Good Hope facilities are closed, no practicing allowed, including all events, leagues and travel ball. Our goal is for the season to resume and be extended as follows: resume practice on April 6 and the first games to be played on April 13. If you know that you do not want your child to participate at this point, we will gladly refund you in full. If you would still like to have your uniform, we can deduct the price of the shirt and/or hat from the registration fee. We appreciate your patience during the unique emergency. We are sorry for any inconvenience/hardship this has caused. We are committed to the health and safety of our citizens, first and foremost.
“City Hall doors are locked but we are in the office Monday-Friday. Do not come to city hall, we will mail your refund. If you have any questions, please call 256-739-3757 or you are welcome to message through our Facebook page: The City of Good Hope or Good Hope Park & Recreation.
“Mayor Jerry Bartlett, Council Member Place 5 Taft Dillashaw, Park Director Danny Buchanan”
Town of Holly Pond
Holly Pond Mayor Bill Oliver has not made any decisions about closing town hall.
He said, “Right now, my plans are to keep it open but we may, and this could change as soon as this afternoon, it’s kind of up in the air right now. We’ll still come to work because we have to keep the town running but may not have public access to town hall after Wednesday afternoon. I don’t know that at this time. That’s the decision we are thinking about right now.”
Oliver wants to make sure his town does all it can do to keep the virus from spreading. He has been in constant contact with neighboring municipalities and the CCBOE.
“Right now, we have suspended summer rec. We are not practicing and we are not going to play. If it’s bad enough that the school is canceling all their athletic activities, we are not immune to that. I am not going to expose our kids and our parents to the possibility of getting it. It is suspended, not canceled, but in the long scheme of things, that may turn out to be the same thing because we don’t know how long this is going to last.”
Oliver said the information coming in can seem overwhelming at times and warned, “Things are changing by the minute. We are getting information from Montgomery, from the league and here and there. A decision can be made today and be readjusted tomorrow. Right now, I’m trying to keep the council informed and we may have to come together as a group and plan something, but right now we are planning by the minute and trying to make decisions we feel are in the best interest and health of the people in our community and that’s all we can do.”
Town of Vinemont
The Town of South Vinemont has also postponed its rec league baseball and softball until further notice. Mayor Radginal Dodson said Monday morning that the town hall is still open.
He said of the sports complex, “They have limited to groups of 50 people, and that’s going to virtually eliminate that ballpark. When they close the school, technically, that closes the complex, too.”
Town of Baileyton
The Town of Baileyton has also postponed practices for its youth league baseball and softball. Mayor Johnny Dyar was still trying to reach out to Holly Pond and Fairview before making any decisions about the closing of town hall. The town hall was closed Monday but not related to the coronavirus and Dyar expected the office to be open Tuesday.
Town of Garden City
The Garden City Town Council on Monday night declared a local state of emergency.
Town of West Point
Park Director Wesley Laney said leagues should not practice. Opening day has been postponed until May 1, but that is tentative.
Mayor Gerald Schafer said he does not feel the need for the town council to take any action regarding additional decisions pertaining to the COVID-19 virus.
He said, “Hopefully this stuff will start tapering off in the next few weeks.”
For the very latest on all municipalities, check www.CullmanTribune.com. We are awaiting word from Fairview, Berlin and Colony.
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