The nearly 7 inches of rainfall recorded in parts of Covington County during the last week has done its part in helping to lift a statewide burn ban.
Gov. Robert Bentley and state forester Linda Casey announced Monday that the fire alert has been lifted because recent rains have reduced the threat for catastrophic wildfires.
Weather reports show the biggest rain producing days were last Monday with 1.13 inches in Andalusia; Saturday with 2.41 inches and Sunday with 1.05 inches.
Forecasts for the remainder of the week predict sunny skies with little to no chance of rain until the weekend.
Local residents should be cautious when burning outside, and the Alabama Forestry Commission urges those doing outdoor burning to follow safety recommendations such as not leaving a fire unattended until it is out, having the necessary equipment and personnel to control the fire, and having a garden hose or other water supply on hand for smaller debris burns.
Any fire more than a quarter-acre in size or within 25 feet of a forested area requires a permit from the AFC. Burn permits may be obtained by calling 1-800-392-5679.
Burning without a permit is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and/or up to a $3,000 fine.
The Andalusia City Council suspended the rules twice Tuesday night, first to approve an ordinance for the refinancing of South Alabama Regional Airport’s debt, then to adopt an ordinance selling approximately 15 acres of the city’s Snead-Kennedy property to PowerSouth.
The ordinance related to SARA Authority debt relates to up to $7.5 million in financing from the Royal Bank of Canada to refinance old debt and pay for construction of Vector Aerospace’s expansion. In the ordinance, the city agreed to be responsible for 37.5 percent of the debt if the authority could not make the payment. The county would be responsible for 37.5 percent and the City of Opp, 25 percent.
Councilman Kennith Mount questioned the percentages, pointing out that previous agreements required the county to secure 50 percent of the debt; Andalusia 30 percent and Opp 20 percent.
“In the big picture, Andalusia benefits more,” Mayor Earl Johnson said, adding that he doesn’t anticipate the airport authority defaulting on the note. Johnson said all parties have been working on the refinancing for almost two years.
Meanwhile, the council agreed to extend for 60 days short-term financing it secured from Whitney Bank to begin the Vector Expansion project. When the larger financing project is completed, the Whitney Bank note and interest will be paid by the Airport Authority.
The council also agreed to sell PowerSouth 15 acres that abuts the campus north of town.
School board members voted Monday on a capital plan that will close the Andalusia Middle School as an education facility, sending graders to the elementary school and seventh and eighth graders to a new facility at the high school.
Superintendent Ted Watson said a recent state department of education analysis report said that by reassigning the students onto two campuses it will save between $300,000 to $400,000 a year by eliminating duplication of staff and services.
“Andalusia City School parents and alumni expect a quality program, electives and academics that are second to none,” Watson said. “To do that, it was time for us to look within our system by looking for waste and duplication. By (reassigning students), the state says we can save money. We feel like, that, along with the fact that we don’t stay stagnate, we’re ready to move forward.”
The plan calls for constructing a kindergarten early learning center on the AES campus, and then using the space freed-up to house sixth graders. The move would maximize the efficiency of personnel by having all elementary certified teachers at the same location, Watson said.
The AMS building would then become a new home for the board’s central office, serve as a professional development facility for staff, provide additional storage and possibly be considered as a possible preschool or Head Start location.
“Then we would construct a seventh and eighth grade wing on the high school campus,” he said. “Those two steps would cost us a fraction of what it be to construct a new middle school, and allows for all those teachers to be under one roof.”
It would also allow for bus services for both campuses, he said.
“And the only concern I would have as a parent is if my student moved from the elementary to the high school,” he said. “That’s a big jump and they have a right to be concerned, until they realize they’ll have their own facility, their own bell schedule and move void of the bigger students. They won’t walk the halls at the same time.”
Board members agreed, with Dr. Bill King, board president, stating the annual cost savings should be enough to fund the project’s construction.
“There’s really no time frame on the project, but I’d like to see it done as soon as possible,” he said. “Within a year we should have a project ready to go on the table.”
Mayor Earl Johnson, who attended the meeting, commended the board on its foresight.
“When you go back to the 1970s and compare the number of students then to now, there comes a point when you can’t continue to have the same number of campuses to serve less students,” he said. “This move maximizes a lot of things – faculty, staff and facilities. It’s the biggest bang for your tax dollars. Our No. 1 responsibility is to provide the best education to all children of this community. What building it’s done in isn’t important.”
No firm timetable was set, but board members said they hope to have an architect drawing plans within a year. It is thought that the earliest possible implementation of the plan is the 2013-14 school year.
A public forum will be scheduled for the future to give parents an opportunity to discuss the move.
Sponsored by Challenger Sports (TM)
British Soccer Camps provide players of all ages and abilities with the rare opportunity to receive high-level soccer coaching from a team of international experts. Each day includes individual foot skills, technical drills, tactical practices, small-sided games, coached scrimmages, and a daily tournament. Equally important, the Challenger coaching staff provides your child with lessons in respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship and leadership.
2011 Andalusia Soccer Camp will be held at the Andalusia Sports Complex July 25 through July 29 for ages 3 to 14. All groups will be split depending upon age and ability. Fees vary with length of camp (half day vs. full day) desired.
Click here for more information and registration.
Tony Cardenas believes he has the “best kept secret in Andalusia.”
Just off Hwy. 84 East on Airport Rd., about two miles down, Tosa Park sits, waiting to offer its fun for the family.
“I don’t know what the thing is,” Cardenas said. “The weird thing is that there’s nothing else for these kids to do.”
Cardenas built Tosa Park from the ground up, laying the foundation for its 800-foot g0-kart track and the 18-hole mini golf course. The golf course took 19 yards of concrete to be completed.
The park has been open for two years, and it offers kart enthusiasts rides for $5, and golf nuts a round of put-put for $4.
Additionally, there is a party room for families or big groups interested in throwing birthday parties for kids up to 14 years old.
The park is open from noon until about 6 p.m. every day unless it rains, Cardenas said.
For more information on the park, call 222-1908.
“This is the best kept secret in Andalusia,” Cardenas said.