The Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsors as it works to finalize the schedule for this summers’ July Jamz Summer Concert Series.
“We had a great response from musicians who want to participate,” Executive Director Chrissie Duffy said. “If we get good response from sponsors, we could possibly even do more than the four Thursday nights in July.”
Assistant Executive Director Maggie Jones described the response as “a ton of musicians.” “We want to make sure we have a good mix of genres, so the board will be working to put the schedule together later this week,” she said.
The free concert series, a joint project of the Chamber and the City of Andalusia, is entering its third year of Thursday night concerts on the lawn of Springdale.
Hardee’s has signed on as the opening act sponsor for this summer’s series, Jones said. “We also have two of the four title sponsors in place.”
But there are still plenty of opportunities, including:
- Foam Frenzy Sponsor – the highly anticipated foam canon fills the lawn with 8,000 cubic feet of white, fuffy foam at each concert. $2,000.
- Event Title Sponsor (entertainment sponsor) – $1,250 each.
- Stage sponsor – Logo will be displayed on the perimeter sign of all concerts – 350.
“We also are accepting vendor applications,” Jones said. For a $100 fee, a vendor may sell refreshments or other items at all four concerts.
For additional information, contact Duffy at or Jones at , or 334.222.2030.
Andalusia Star News
Council to secure $6M for $8M auditorium, stadium work
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved a resolution authorizing the mayor and clerk to secure $6 million in financing for capital projects at Andalusia High School.
The council’s vote came within 24 hours of the Andalusia Board of Education’s decision vote to seek $6 million of the approximately $8 million needed to renovate the auditorium and stadium. Superintendent Ted Watson made the formal request of the council last night. The council’s vote was unanimous in favor of the project. Watson said that members of the Public Building Authority – Charles Eldridge, Steve Posey, and Paula Sue Duebelt – have been raising money for the project for months. With the help of Rep. Mike Jones, who secured at least $1 million in state funds for the project, they have contributions and pledges totaling $2 million, Watson said.
The bond will be designed, Watson said, so that less than half of the money generated for the school system with a half-cent sales tax will be used to retire the debt over a 25-year period.
“The balance will go into a maintenance fund to maintain facilities over all of the campuses,” Watson said. “That’s money the school board has never had before.”
Mayor Earl Johnson predicted it will take 60 days to put together a bond issue, and rates are expected to remain between 3.5 and 4 percent during that time.
“We have a timeliness issue here of trying to get started on this so we don’t tie up the auditorium for more than one academic year,” he said. “You can’t fix it without basically tearing part of it down, and it won’t be useable.”
Councilman Terry Powell made the motion to secure the bonds and Councilman Kennith Mount seconded.
Council member Hazel Griffin said that she came to the meeting “after much prayer and with a heavy heart. I didn’t want us to spend this kind of money.”
“But because the school board backed it 100 percent, and I don’t want to cause any hindrance, I’m going to agree to it,” Griffin said.
Powell said Andalusia is fortunate to even be in the position to consider the projects.
“There are schools throughout the state of Alabama that are in much worse condition that our facilities are,” Powell said. “They can’t even talk about it. Because of support of the citizens and businesses of Andalusia, we are able to make this a reality.”
The AHS auditorium opened in 1963; the stadium in 1950.
“We will be remaking it into something first class, and we can all take a lot of comfort in knowing our children will be playing in the best facilities,” Mayor Johnson said. “They will be as safe as they can make them playing a tough game. The (artificial turf) surface means we can use it for soccer matches, and the band can practice on it every day, and it still be in good condition come game night.”
Andalusia Star News
The LBWCC Foundation will presents 7 Bridges, the Ultimate EAGLES Experience tomorrow, May 5, 2017.
“We are thrilled to bring this band back to Andalusia,” said Debbie Marcum, Foundation president. “They were here a couple of years ago with the Covington Arts Council and played to a packed house. If you saw them then, you know how good they are and you’ll want to hear them again. If you didn’t see them, now is your chance.”
The event is set for 7 p.m. at Springdale. Tickets are $15 each, and are available at the Chamber or Commerce, Southern Independent Bank, CCB Community Bank and LBW Community College.
Andalusia Star News
The Andalusia City Council is seeking an attorney general’s interpretation of who it can appoint to the South Central Alabama Mental Health board.
Mayor Earl Johnson said, “Most times when state statute gives us appointment authority, it says we may appoint a qualified elector from the city.
“The statute dealing with the South Central Alabama Mental Health board doesn’t state that. It says we are to appoint someone who lives in the area of service. “ Johnson said the council needs the AG to clarify whether that means in the board’s service area or the city’s.
The city currently has two seats to fill on that board.
In other business, the council:
Purchased computers, chairs and a projector for the library’s computer lab. The items, totaling $23,648, were purchased from the state bid list.
Agreed to purchase a new electronic access control system for city hall and a separate one for the Andalusia Police Department.
Agree to purchase 22 new security cameras for city hall and its campus.
Andalusia Star News
Andalusia Star News
Jahdiya Lowery, Brianna Yelder, Zanyia Anderson and Morgan Jenkins show off the clocks that they painted and made during art class at the City of Andalusia’s A.P.P.L.E. program on Monday afternoon. The clocks, along with other pieces of art painted by the students, will be on display at the A.P.P.L.E. Art Showcase at LAAC on May 19.
Andalusia Star News