Chamber honors outstanding citizens

By Staff
Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The influx of families from realignment at nearby Redstone Arsenal will be felt in Hartselle and throughout Morgan County.
That was the message of Col. (Ret.) Mike McKean, Morgan County Chairman of the Base Realignment and Closure Committee to hundreds gathered at Sparkman Civic Center last week for the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner.
McKean was one of three speakers at the event. Others were Hartselle Mayor Dwight Tankersley and Jeremy Nails, director of the Morgan County Economic Development Association.
McKean said half of the workers slated to move to Redstone as part of the realignment are eligible for retirement. Those positions will still move and must be filled locally.
Hartselle is also in a good position, McKean said, to offer transferees affordable housing, lower costs of living and good schools.
Tankersley brought more good news, stressing the number of new businesses opening in Hartselle. Tankersley said the new businesses include Captain D’s, O’Reilys, Wal-Green, a new strip mall by KFC that will include a fitness center and several new banks, including Redstone Federal Credit Union, Premier Bank and Merchants Bank of Cullman.
Tankersley also mentioned changed in downtown, including relocations of Alley Kats, Fox and Robbin and Kama Salon.
Nails spoke on the benefits of Mallard Fox Creek Industrial Park and stressed the importance of a proposed development between Hartselle and Falkville.
Outgoing chairman Russell Woodruff said the chamber had experienced a good year, with more than 10 percent membership growth.
In-coming Chairman Connie Drake said she would like to see that growth continue through programs such as Hartselle chamber dollars and the Shop Hartselle First promotion.
The chamber’s annual awards were also given.
Rep. Ronald Grantland received the John J. Sparkman Citizenship Award. Nancy Busby received the Dr. Thomas M. Guyton Humanitarian Award. Receiving the E.R. Roberts Business and Civic Award was Gilchrist Pharmacy (Fred Langston and Mike Preuitt). Nancy Case was named Ambassador of the Year. Edward Summers received the Chairman’s Award for Excellence.
Drane will lead this year’s chamber, with Anna Wilson serving as secretary, David Jones as treasurer, Woodruff as immediate past chairman and Susan Hines as president.
Directors are Jones, Dona Bonnett, Dr. Brad Drake, Fred Smith, Matt Nail, Jason Preiutt, Bill Camp and Bob Jaques.
Nancy Case chaired the banquet committee with members Faye Walker, Busby, Terri Appleton, Tammy Moss, Kathy Goodwin and JoAnn Stephenson.