By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

The Andalusia City Council and Andalusia Industrial Board have approved an agreement to build a 42,000 square foot expansion for Vector Aerospace that will mean 100 new local jobs averaging over the next two years.

When the new jobs are added, he said, Vector will have well over 200 local jobs averaging approximately $25 per hour.

Vector moved in to its existing facility at South Alabama Regional Airport about 18 months ago and has already outgrown the space.

Under the terms of the agreement, the city will oversee the construction of the expansion in much the way it did SaeHaeSung’s new facility in the Andalusia Industrial Park.

“They need it now,” Mayor Earl Johnson said.

The agreement approved by the council and the IDB states that the project is not to exceed $3 million.

The South Alabama Regional Airport Authority is in the middle of refinancing its debt through a bond issue, Johnson said. Until the bond issue is completed, it cannot build the expansion, which Vector needs immediately.

The Andalusia Industrial Development Board will finance the construction for five years and the lease and lease payments will be assigned to the IDB. At some point, the airport authority will take over the financial obligation for the expansion.

“I cannot express to you how excited I am this is taking place,” Johnson said. “This expansion will put us high on the totem pole with aerospace in South Alabama. Doing this in this way allows us to go quickly, which is critical for Vector.”

Vector provides helicopter maintenance and repair to military and domestic companies from its Andalusia location.

Posted on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 at 12:01 am.

By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News

Twelve students have been chosen as ambassadors for the City of Andalusia for the 2010-11 school year.

Ambassadors are selected through a rigorous interview process, and are directed by Jerri Stroud.

This year’s ambassadors are:

Jay Brewer

Jay Brewer is a junior at AHS. Where he is active in band, varsity baseball, Future Farmers of America, Peer Helpers, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Key Club.

He is active in the Carolina Baptist Church and received the Dr. Shakespeare Leadership Award in band.

Stephen Caton

Stephen Caton is an AHS junior. He is president of the Key Club, a member o the AHS band, parliamentarian of FBLA, a member of the Peer Helper Club, Literacy Club, Usher Club, SGA, Fellowship of Christian Students, French Club, Memolusia staff, and served as sophomore class treasurer.

An Eagle Scout, Caton, is an active member of First Presbyterian Church and has participated in Andalusia Regional Hospital’s summer volunteer program.

Sam Fairley

Sam Fairley is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the AHS marching and symphonic bands, Usher Club and SGA.

He has volunteered with Meredith’s Miracles, and is active in theater productions at First Presbyterian Church, at school, and at LBW.

Michael Kelley

Michael Kelley is a junior at AHS. He is a member of the band, Andalusia baseball team, Peer Helpers, Key Club, SGA, Literary Club and French Club.

He is a member of the praise band at Bethany Baptist Church, volunteered for the groundwater festival, and is an honor student.

Dilan Manring

Dilan Manring is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the baseball team and Peer Helpers. He received the Bulldog award for baseball.

Anna Bay McCord

Anna Bay McCord is a senior at AHS. She is a varsity cheerleader, a member of the tennis team, Anchor Club, Usher Club, SGA and AHS Chorus.

She is an honor roll student, is active in the youth group of First Baptist, and volunteers her time for Meredith’s Miracles.

Millard McWhorter

Millard McWhorter is a senior at AHS. He is a member of the band, Future Business Leaders of America, Peer Helpers and plays basketball.

He is an honor roll student, was selected to participate in the national Young Leadership Conference, and is an active member of the Mt. Moriah youth group.

Haley Moody

Haley Moody is an AHS senior. She is a member of the Peer Helpers, SGA, Spanish Club and Usher Club, is a varsity cheerleader, and was voted class favorite her sophomore and junior years.

She is an honor roll student, PowerSouth Youth Tour winner, a member of the Stingray’s swim team and a U.S. Achievement Academy national award winner.

Morgan Palmer

Morgan Palmer is an AHS senior. She is a member of the DECA club, Anchor Club, Usher Club, FCCLA, and Key Club.

She was a Duke TIP state winner, and Alabama DECA finalist, and volunteers with Meredith’s Miracles.

Catherine Grace Searcy

Catherine Grace Searcy is a junior at AHS. She is a member of the AHS band, yearbook staff, Anchor Club, Usher Club, Peer Helpers, an d Fellowship of Christian Students. She is active in the youth group of First Baptist Church.

She is an honor roll student, was selected to the Alabama All-State Honor Band and District Honor Band, and volunteers for Meredith’s Miracles.

Kathryn Williams

Kathryn Williams is a junior at AHS where she is a member of FBLA, Key Club, Anchor Club, French Club, SGA, DECA and band. She also is a majorette.

She volunteers for Meredith’s Miracles, Habitat for Humanity, and the Kiwanis Covington County Fair. She is an honor roll student and a member of the Andalusia Ballet’s senior company.

Devin Williamson

Devin Williamson is an AHS senior. She is a member of the Anchor Club, band, Peer Helpers, Key Club, chorus, and FCCLA.

The current Covington County Junior Miss, she volunteers her time for Meredith’s Miracles, and is active in the youth group and symphony of her church, First Baptist. She has been selected to both the honor and All-State bands.

Andalusia Ambassadors for 2010-2011 are (front row, from left) Catherine Grace Searcey, Kathryn Williams, Anna Bay McCord, Haley Moody, Devin Williamson, Morgan Palmer, and director Jerri Stroud; (back row) Dilan Manring, Michael Kelly, Stephen Caton, Millard McWhorter, Jay Brewer and Sam Fairley. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce
1208 West Bypass
P.O. Box 667
Andalusia, Al 36420
Phone: (334) 222-2030
Fax: (334) 222-7844
Website: www.andalusiachamber.com
 

Contact:  Ashley Eiland, Executive Vice President   For Immediate Release 
              (334) 222-2030
               

COUNTY-WIDE VETERAN’S DAY PARADE:  AN “ALL-AMERICAN HOMECOMING”

COVINGTON COUNTY, Ala. (Oct. 4, 2010) – The city of Andalusia, Alabama, will host a Veteran’s Day Parade and Ceremony on November 11, 2010, at 9 am.  The parade will serve as the kick-off for the weeklong festivities celebrating Absolutely Andalusia Homecoming 2010. 

All veterans in Covington County are invited to participate in this event.  Floats will represent the WWII Era, the Korean War Era, the Vietnam Era, the Cold War Era, Desert Storm/Desert Shield Era, and the Global War on Terror Era. Other parade participants include area high school bands, the National Guard Flag Corp, the Boy Scouts, the CCR Honor Flight, as well as other area civic, educational and church organizations.  The parade will start at Andalusia High School, travel Third Avenue onto East Three Notch Street, and end at the Veteran’s Memorial Park.

 Following the parade, a ceremony and reception will be held at the Memorial Park.  Brigadier General Walter Givhan will be the guest speaker.  Activities include a historical marker presentation, a reception, pictures with all participating veterans at Memorial Park, and City Hall tours for everyone. 

Bus service is made available by First Baptist Church from the Veteran’s Memorial Park to the AHS stadium after the parade and ceremony.  For more information, please call (334) 222-2030 or visit www.andalusiachamber.com.  

October 4, 2010

FACT SHEET-ABSOLUTELY ANDALUSIA HOMECOMING
2010 VETERAN’S DAY PARADE

Who
The City of Andalusia & Covington County
All US veterans in Covington County

What
2010 Covington County Veteran’s Day Parade & Ceremony

Where
East Three Notch Street, Downtown Andalusia, Ala.
PARADE ROUTE:  Line up at AHS stadium, travel up 3rd Avenue to East Three Notch Street.  Walking units will join the parade at First Baptist Church and proceed to the light at City Hall.  Review stands will be in the front lawn of City Hall and float riders will disembark on 6th Avenue in front of the Veteran's Memorial. 

When
Thursday, November 11, 2010
8:30 am Veterans line up
9 am Parade begins

Why
To salute and honor our veterans and their families in Covington County

INFORMATION CONTACT
Ashley Eiland, Executive Vice President
(334) 222-2030

www.andalusiachamber.com

Posted on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 6:18 pm.

By Staff Reports
Andalusia Star News

Following is the text of a speech delivered by Andalusia Mayor Earl Johnson during Tuesday’s council meeting:

“Because the citizens of Andalusia deserve a complete and accurate explanation of the decision by me and the city council to purchase the historic Springdale Estate, located on East Three Notch Street, next door to city hall, I would like to take this opportunity to address that issue and hopefully debunk a number of rumors surrounding this important decision.

“Springdale Estate was built in the early 1930’s by Mr. John G. Scherf, Sr. This property is historically significant for several reasons, but primarily because Mr. Scherf was the founder of the Alatex, the economic engine of Andalusia for more than half a century. Mr. Scherf came to Andalusia with little more than the shirt on his back, after having immigrated to America from Germany. Shorty after arriving in Andalusia as the executive for the Andalusia Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Scherf and other investors organized and began operations of the Alatex; a clothing apparel manufacturing company that evolved into an industrial giant in South Alabama and Northwest Florida, employing thousands in Andalusia. This phenomenal growth took place in spite of the “Great Depression” and provided much needed income to hundreds of Andalusia families for several generations. Hundreds, if not thousands, of Andalusia’s children were educated through college because their parents had income from their work at the Alatex.

“Also, Mr. Scherf served as mayor of Andalusia for 16 years, during which time many of the public facilities we enjoy today were constructed. It is simply impossible to imagine what Andalusia would be today without Mr. Scherf’s vision and leadership. I think it is not a stretch to consider John G. Scherf, Sr., as the father of modern Andalusia. Of course the great Alatex no longer exists. It is only a memory with Springdale Estate being one of the very few remaining connections to that historic era.

“Springdale Estate is composed of approximately 4 acres, the beautiful main house of Mediterranean design, a large 4-car garage, a guest house, a small lake, several fountains, and beautifully landscaped lawns. It is truly the “crown jewel” of Andalusia’s beautiful old homes. There is also a 1.5 acre commercial lot adjoining the estate on its west side. This property joins the city’s property near the Veterans’ Memorial Park.

“Through the years, Andalusia has lost so many of its beautiful and historic homes with only a handful remaining. Only after this property was put on the market for sale did I learn that Springdale Estate is zoned B1, which means that its purchaser could have used the property for any use permitted in a B1 zone. So two weeks ago we were faced with the very real possibility that we could lose Springdale Estate to commercial developers, which would have resulted in that beautiful property being converted into some sort of commercial use, totally incompatible with its history and heritage. Or, it would have been left to deteriorate like so many of our older buildings in downtown Andalusia. Just take a mental trip around downtown and picture in your mind the many historic buildings that are in such a sad shape of disrepair. The City would have much preferred for Springdale to remain in the hands of someone who would have maintained it as it has been for more than 75 years, but it was obvious to me that unless the City acted to protect this irreplaceable property, it would have fallen into the hands of someone whose only interest would have been to make a buck at the expense of future generations of Andalusians. Frankly, Andalusia could never recover the history and heritage that would have been lost had the City not acted to prevent the commercial development of this property.

“Now the question I hear most is, “What will the City do with this property?” We have a very good plan for the future use of Springdale as well as a plan to recoup the purchase costs. First, this property now belongs to the citizens of Andalusia – all the citizens of Andalusia – and we will use it for many public events. Examples of theses are Christmas programs, decorator showcases, Easter egg hunts, concerts, seasonal open house, and other such events. As time goes on, we will develop many new public uses.

“Also, we will open the rear of the property and join it to the Veterans’ Park with beautiful landscaping and create our large public park that is much needed in the center of town. It will contain walking trails, park benches, and other public areas that will add to the quality of life for all Andalusians. We will also offer the main house and grounds for private weddings, receptions, birthday celebrations, corporate retreats and other such private events that will create income to help defray the upkeep and maintenance expense of the property. And, this property will be an invaluable asset to aid us with business and industrial recruitment.

“Finally, we will organize a public foundation, whose purpose will be to search out grants and gifts for this property so as to eventually repay the city for the purchase price and provide for its perpetual care and maintenance. The city really had no choice I this matter. The money paid for this historic and irreplaceable property is an investment by us into our city’s future by saving an important part of our past. An investment that I am convinced will pay handsome dividends to all Andalusians for many generations to come.

“I know there are those who may disagree with this decision, and that is fine. We are all entitled to our opinions, and I respect that. I only ask that you give this some time, and I believe you will come to appreciate the value that this property will bring to our civic life. Also, I ask you to consider the comments of England’s Sir James Stevens, who commented on the importance of preserving historic places. Sir Stevens said, “Historic buildings are a proud and significant part of our, and every, nation’s heritage. They are an irreplaceable element of the collective memory of local communities…. They contribute both to our sense of identity and to that regional distinctiveness which is so valuable and so vulnerable.”

“And finally, in 1889, William Morris said, “These old buildings do not belong to us only…they have belonged to our fore-fathers and they will belong to our descendants. They are not our property, to do as we like with. We are only trustees for those who come after us.”