The City of Andalusia on Friday hosted the 15th induction ceremony of the W. Robert Brown Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Awards.
This year's honorees were Hollis Kelley, Jr.; Deidre W. Smith, Dr. Zack Studstill, Bill Tunnell, Sue Williams Wiggins, and James Arthur Wilson.
Hollis Kelley, Jr., Class of 1984, is a financial advisor and limited partner for Edward Jones, who also is known in his profession as a mentor. Forbes named him Best Wealth Advisor in 2022, 2023, and 2024. He is a graduate of Auburn University and the College for Financial Planning. He has been active as a coach and board member for Little League and other youth organizations, and in his church, St. Stephen Catholic in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Deidre W. Smith, Class of 1988, is the Deputy Director, Civil Rights Zone V, for the U.S. Forest Service, where she has worked for 30 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Alabama A&M University and a master’s from Strayer University. She often mentors students, and has reached back to Andalusia to help more than a dozen students earn scholarships, stipends and internships.
Dr. Zack Studstill, Class of 1956, practiced dentistry for 42 years in Montgomery before becoming the executive director of the Alabama Dental Association, where he served for 12 years. He also earned a master’s degree in counseling from Auburn University while practicing dentistry, and used it in his church’s family counseling program. He was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame, and received the American Dental Association’s Distinguished Service Award, its highest honor.
Bill Tunnell, Class of 1964, spent 20 years as the executive director of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, which has documented 20 million visits. During his tenure as executive director, and later as executive director and Battleship Commission Chairman (2020-2024), many additions and repairs were made to the Park. He was the first inductee into the Alabama Tourism Hall of Fame. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of the South, and completed additional studies at the University of South Carolina School of Law.
Sue Williams Wiggins, Class of 1968, has spent a lifetime bringing art to the public. She founded her own company which created and maintained corporate art collections across the United States. A graduate of the University of Alabama, Wiggins recently returned to Andalusia where she founded Air Artist, Inc., and opened the Cotton Street Gallery.
James Arthur Wilson, Class of 1923, spent a career in education, but is most well known for the 18 years he served as principal of Andalusia High School, where his pursuit of excellent teaching was unrelenting, and where he inspired students to reach their fullest potential. He was a member of the first AHS football team, and is credited with restarting the storied program after World War II. He also was a WWII-era veteran of the Army Signal Corps.
The Andalusia High School Outstanding Graduate Award was established in 2007 by the Class of 1948 Foundation, now the Andalusia High School Scholarship Foundation. The award is designed to honor those graduates of Andalusia High School, Woodson High School and Ralph Bunche High School whose personal lives, professional accomplishments and community service exemplify the ideals of Andalusia High School.
To make a nomination for the award, contact Michele Gerlach at .
The City of Andalusia’s Adult Activity Center and Senior Nutrition staff members are seeking sponsors for their annual Praying Hands program.
The staff organizes the gift drive for senior citizens each fall, making sure that no seniors are forgotten at Christmas.
Adult Activity Center director Sonja Godwin said she and other staff members have asked clients who might be in need to complete questionnaires about their Christmas wishes.
“Typically, we ask people to come by and pick up an information sheet on a senior from our Praying Hands tree,” Godwin said. “This year, we are seeking helpers to make Christmas special for more than 50 individuals, all of whom are 60 years or older and many of whom are homebound.”
The AAC staff is asking adopters to participate in one of two ways.
“You can call our office at 222-6891 to choose your praying hands revealing a senior’s wishes,” Godwin said. “We ask that you spend no less than $50 per person.”
Alternately, she said, individuals can make a financial contribution and the AAC staff will shop for the senior adults. Gifts should be dropped at the Adult Activity Center no later than Friday, November 22.
For additional information, call Godwin at 222-6891 or email her at .
Residents of Andalusia will see an increase in their garbage fees beginning in October.
The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday approved an ordinance that would increase the monthly household rate for garbage and trash collection to $25 per month per wheeled container. The $5 per month increase would be the first increase since 2017, and only the second since 2008.
“The rates have been the same for seven years,” City Administrator John Thompson said. “During this time, we’ve spent $880,543 on garbage and trash trucks. The price of diesel has increased significantly during that time, as has the cost of labor. Since 2017, inflation has risen a total of 24.4 percent, so you can see that this proposed increase is in line with market conditions.”
In addition to the garbage pickup, the fee will continue to include trash collection – things like limbs and debris that are picked up by the city. There will only be an additional charge for that service if a resident fills up more than one truckload at a given time.
“I think most people would agree that we provide a premium service,” Thompson said. “Our Public Works Department does an excellent job keeping the garbage and trash picked up.”
The ordinance also increases rates for business garbage collections by the same percentage.
The City of Andalusia increased its net position for the ninth consecutive year, the city’s audit for the fiscal year ending in 2023 showed.
Missy Pierce, CPA, and Gail Hayes, CPA, from Rabren, Odom, Pierce and Hayes, P.C. presented the city’s audited financials for fiscal year 2023 Tuesday. The auditors reported no findings.
“This is the best report we can give,” Pierce said.
Pierce said the City of Andalusia increased its net position by $2.7 million, as compared to FY 2022, partially because a strong economy produced a 4.6 percent increase in tax revenues.
“The city continues to improve its strong financial position,” Mayor Earl Johnson said. “This is great news for the city, and it is because of the guidance of the council and the contributions of everyone who works for the city.”
Other highlights of the audit included:
• The City had a combined ending fund balance of $33.4 million, an increase of $2.3 million from the previous year.
• The City made payments of just more than $2.3M on its long-term debt.
• The City’s program expenses increased by only 6.7 percent over the previous year.
Pierce said the auditors’ report is “unmodified,” which is the best that can be given.
John Thompson, city administrator, said the audit reflects a months-long process that began in January.
“They really dig into every aspect of the city’s finances,” he said. “If the council approves a development agreement, the auditors want to sit down and have us explain it. It’s significant that this audit was completed without a finding, a citation or anything irregular going on in this $28 million annual business.”
The council officially adopted the financial statement Tuesday night.
New Andalusia Public Library Director Sara Mixson hopes to expand current programming to build more lifelong readers.
“We have a wonderful library and an excellent staff who strive to create an inclusive and supportive community space,” she said. “Our children's summer reading program reached record numbers this year, but it seems that engagement drops off in middle grades and above.
“Moving forward, I want to lead programs to encourage life-long readers and learners and ensure that the evolving needs of the community are met through programs and activities for all ages,” Mixson said.
“I have always had a deep passion for literature, education, and community service,” Mixson said. “This job allows me to incorporate all of those passions while fostering learning and providing access to information.”
Prior to joining the City, Mixson worked with Andalusia City Schools for 23 years, first as a secretary in the superintendent’s office and later as a teacher at Andalusia High School.
At APL, she replaces Mona Simon, who retired.
“I have lived in this community my entire life, and I love all of the revitalization that is going on downtown,” Mixson said. “We have an amazing library with wonderful children’s programs. I look forward to creating opportunities for the Andalusia Public Library to serve the community in an even larger capacity moving forward.”
Mixson is a graduate of Andalusia High School, and Lurleen B. Wallace Community College. She earned her BA in English with a business minor from Troy University Dothan, and is completing her MLIS at the University of West Alabama.
She and her husband, Rob, have two children, Emmy, and JR.