Mayor speaks on state of the city

By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Some 90 people turned out Tuesday morning as Mayor Dwight Tankersley delivered his state of the city address.
Tankersley told those gathered at Sparkman Civic Center the city was headed in the right direction, pointing to progress on major projects such as the Hammitt Street bridge and sewer work under the interstate.
He was also quick to praise the city’s workers, including the Administration Depart-ment. “We accomplish a lot with a small staff,” he said.
Technology took center stage, with Tankersley saying the city is working towards having a complete fiber optic network. Technology is also coming to the city’s police and fire departments, with upgrading dispatching equipment to help both entities.
In the Park and Recreation Department, Tankersley said the city is finishing work on its new soccer fields. The fields were funded through a state grant and will be ready for play by late summer. He also said upgrades to Reuben Sims field have been completed.
The Public Works Depart-ment has benefited from the changeover to city garbage collection, especially in the area of yard waste.
The city will also soon take over its recycling operations. Containers have been ordered and will be delivered to homes in April with a May start date.
The library, which has three staff members, is also thriving, Tankersley said. The library received a $26,255 grant, thanks to the assistance of Sen. Arthur Orr. The library also offers wireless internet and has been selected to be part of the Southern Literary Trail in March 2009.
The Department of Develop-ment has been busy with 86 single family homes and one one 42-unit apartment complex approved last year. There are currently three subdivisions with 147 approved lots in the city. Fourteen businesses expanded last year and 15 new ones opened, Tankersley said. He also used the occasion to talk about the upcoming school tax vote. The March 11 referendum on a 7.5 mill property tax increase “affects the entire community.”
The event was hosted by the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce incorporation with Redstone Federal Credit Union.