Tuesday, September 7, 2010
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City Council Tuesday formalized in a unanimous vote the already-announced purchase of Springdale Estate, the former home of John G. Scherf currently owned by Dr. Charles and Mary Margaret Tomberlin.
The property was to be auctioned on Thurs., Aug. 19, along with other properties owned by Dr. Tomberlin, who is preparing to retire.
Mayor Earl Johnson said, “We went in and struck a deal with Dr. Tomberlin, in which we agreed to pay $700,000 for the home and four acres and $200,000 for the adjacent commercial lot, which goes all the way back and joins our Veterans Memorial Park.”
Johnson said the deal calls for the city to pay $600,000 at closing on Oct. 1, with the remaining $300,000 to be paid in equal amounts over the next five years.
Johnson called the purchase a “bold move” that was necessary because the property was zoned B-1, and one that will protect First United Methodists Church and First Baptist Church, both located on East Three Notch Street, in the long term.
Andalusia director of development Andy Wiggins explained that a B-1 zoning allows for retail uses ranging from banks to professional offices to convenience stores and service stations.
“They could have done almost anything with it,” Johnson said.
The mayor spoke at length on the reasons the decision was the right one to make for the city. For full text, click here.
And he personally thanked members of the council for their support in what has become a controversial decision.
“I personally appreciate what you did,” he said. “I’ll take full blame if there is blame to go around, and you take the credit.”
Council resolution 2010-33 cites the historical significance of the property of the structure as the home of Scherf, a former four-term mayor who came to Andalusia to work for the chamber of commerce and later started Alatex and Andala textile companies. The resolution also authorizes the mayor and city clerk to secure acquisition financing
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Belly dance event to raise money for AAC
Posted on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am.
By Stephanie Nelson
Andalusia Star News
Come watch the veils sway and the swords fly as the Andalusia Adult Activity Center and the Sweet Magnolia Gypsies Belly Dance Troupe host “A Night in Morocco” on Sat., Sept. 25.
Dianne Jones, AAC director, said the event will serve as a fundraiser for the center.
Amy Henderson, troupe director of the Sweet Magnolia Gypsies Belly Dance Troupe, said the group wanted to repay the AAC for the use of the facility. Their event will feature five groups of dancers.Troupe director Amy Henderson said the troupe thought the fundraiser would be an excellent way to repay the center for the use of its facilities.
“We wanted to do something that would benefit the center,” Henderson said. “(There), they provide so many wonderful and valuable services, and we want to see that tradition continue.”
The event will feature belly dancing, sword dancing, drumming, zills, veils, fan and candle dancing by five troupes from Mobile and Pensacola, Fla., and individuals from both Pensacola and Milton, Fla.
“People kind of laugh when they hear ‘belly dancing,’ or think that it’s something inappropriate,” Henderson said. “That is the furthest thing from the truth. This is a very classical, elegant dance form. It’s very challenging to perform and interesting to watch.”
Henderson said in addition to the “great entertainment, we will also feature delectable Middle Eastern hors d’oeuvres, the things you would normally find served at the traditional Middle Eastern home.
“This whole event is very family oriented,” she said.
There are only 100 of 150 tickets left, Jones said. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with the performance beginning at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door, if available. They are available by calling the AAC at 334-
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Mayor plans speech tonight
Posted on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am.
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
Mayor Earl Johnson said Monday he plans to deliver a speech during tonight’s Andalusia City Council meeting about the city’s recent purchase of Springdale Estate, the historic home on East Three Notch built in the 1930s.
The council meets at 6 p.m. in City Hall. The meeting is broadcast on Andy Cable’s access channel. The speech will be posted to our Web site, immediately following the council meeting.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Air show details finalized
Posted on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 at 12:00 am.
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
Organizers of the air show planned at South Alabama Regional Airport (SARA) during Andalusia’s Homecoming 2010 celebration say that vendors are still needed for the event.
Jed Blackwell, co-manager of the SARA, and a committee of local residents are working with David Schultz Airshows to stage the Veterans Day weekend event on Sat., Nov. 13.
Members of the USAF Silver Wings, based in Ft. Benning, will perform locally on Nov. 13.“Pepsi-Cola is a sponsor and they will be the official soft drink for the event,” Blackwell said. “I know we’ve got the corn vendor who was at the Rattlesnake Rodeo and a lemonade vendor. We could use some more.”
The local airshow, which is free to the public, will feature the U.S. Army Silver Wings Parachute Team and U.S. Air Force A-10AThunderbolt II demonstration, as well as a number of other attractions. Organizers say the quality of the show should draw people from throughout the Southeast.
The Silver Wings is comprised of soldiers from throughout the Ft. Benning airborne community. The average age of this group is 33, and the members’ average number of freefall jumps range between 200 and 2,500 per team member.
The USAF Thunderbolt demonstration team is dedicated to showing the extreme capabilities of the A-10 aircraft though exceptional aerial maneuvers. The team calls Davis Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, home.
There also will be static displays, ranging from World War II era and Korean Conflict aircraft to that used by present day heroes currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The static show includes an A-10A Thunderbolt II, and a Blackhawk.
Before the air show begins, there will be a 5K race on the runway, as well as a race from one end of the runway to the other.
“Air shows are starting to do these events pretty regularly,” Blackwell said.
Additional information is available at http://andalusia.schultzairshows.com.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Work begins on new $5M cancer center
By Michele Gerlach
Andalusia Star News
Speaker of the House Seth Hammett summed up the groundbreaking ceremony for a new cancer center well.
“This is a red letter day,” he said. “No family I know of has not been touched by cancer.”
The new center is another important step in Andalusia Regional Hospital’s vision of being a regional health care provider. And with this step, he said, “the community has won.”
Indeed a good representation of the community braved extreme heat for the groundbreaking of the new, 10,000 square foot facility on the campus of ARH. The hospital is partnering with 21st Century Oncology in the development of the new comprehensive cancer center slated to open in Andalusia next summer.
“We are fortunate to have a partner in 21st Century Oncology who believes in this project and what it will mean to our community as much as we do,” ARH CEO Mark Dooley said. “Upon completion, the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Andalusia will occupy more than 10,000 square feet with the potential to expand by over 2,000 square feet with the addition of a second linear accelerator as the patient base grows.”
He estimated that the project will represent a $5 million investment in the community.
“You will notice the name of the center is Comprehensive Cancer Center of Andalusia,” he said. “The word comprehensive is intentionally used to indicate that most if not all cancer treatment services that one may need will be located right here in Andalusia. The new center itself will house a linear accelerator to provide radiation therapy and the Sacred Heart Medical Oncology Group from Pensacola will come to Andalusia to provide chemotherapy and other infusion services.”
Dr. Hejal Patel of 21st Century Oncology said he hopes to expand the services offered locally to include enrollment in research protocols. Regardless, he said, patients will be treated like family when they walk through the doors. Patel said staff members will celebrate successes with patients and their families, “and provide broad shoulders to cry on when the news is not so good.”
The hospital also is negotiating with vendors to provide PET scanning here, Dooley said. PET scanning is an imaging technology that is used to detect cancer, determine whether cancer has spread, and assess the effectiveness of cancer treatment.
“I hope to be able to announce more about that service in the near future,” Dooley said.
Others on hand for the ceremony included members of the hospital board of trustees Terry Powell, Joe Bratton, Sammy Glover, Wem Mellown, Dr. Angelo Agro, and Dr. Charles Eldridge; medical staff president Dr. Gabrielle Baldwin; staff from 21st Century Oncology’s centers in Dothan and Opp; and Dr. Mark Boatwright and staff from the Sacred Heart Medical Oncology group.
Representatives of ARH, 21st Century Oncology and Sacred Heart Medical Oncology were on hand Monday. | Michele Gerlach/Star-News