COUNCIL COMMENTS
Scott Brakefield
Ward 6 | City Council President brakefield@cityofalabaster.com
Greetings! I hope that Summer is off to a great start for each of you. The Month of July brings many celebrations for the July 4th holiday. The big news for us is that our annual fireworks display is changing locations. This year the fireworks will be shot from Thompson High School. The fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2nd. The new location will provide additional parking and increase the opportunity for those wishing to watch the show. The Summer months also brings our Friday night movies at Veterans Park. These are great family movies that everyone can enjoy. We also have the Alabaster Teen Council putting on events throughout the Summer of our teens to participate in. We have a lot of construction going on at two of our Parks. Abby Wooley and Veterans Park are getting some additions. If you haven't been out to either lately. There are now signs installed showing our progress. Hopefully construction will go smoothly, and we will be enjoying these new amenities soon. I want to close with a big thank you to our citizens. These are unprecedented times we are living in. So, thank you for supporting our local businesses. Thank you for supporting each other. Thank you for loving your neighbor. Thank you for loving your City. Scott
Sophie Martin | Ward 1 martin@cityofalabaster.com
4
Progress continues in Ward 1. Two additional abandoned structures along Hwy. 11 are being demolished after a recommendation from the Abatement Board followed by approval from City Council. These dilapidated structures were deemed unsafe and eyesores in the community. Their removal will definitely be an enhancement in our community. Speeding continues to be an issue in several areas of Ward 1. The safety of our residents remains one of my top priorities. I am working with the Alabaster Police Department and the safety committee on a solution for this problem. If you see someone speeding, please get a description of the car and if possible, the license plate number then call Alabaster police at 205.663.7401. Work continues at Abby Wooley Park. New restroom facilities are being put in and at our recent council meeting new LED lighting was also approved. Additional work is still being scheduled and completed including new basketball courts, landscaping and other upgrades. For safety reasons, the park is closed until construction is complete. Thank you to the organizers and to everyone who participated in the recent “Alabaster Strong!� unity march and rally. Alabaster sets the example of what a city should be – a community that cityofalabaster.com
loves and cares for one another and lifts each other up. We must continue to work together to be part of the solution for equal justice as we move forward. We are Alabaster Strong! Have a safe and happy July 4th! It is an honor to serve the City of Alabaster and the residents of Ward 1. If you have any questions or ideas regarding our city, please contact me at martin@ cityofalabaster.com.
Rick Ellis | Ward 2 ellis@cityofalabaster.com
This is definitely a different kind of summer than we have had in past years. I have really missed events like City Fest, seeing kids play ball in our parks, going to baseball games and even being able to just watch games on TV. We are coming up on one of my favorite holidays of the year, July 4th. I think that it is one of my favorite holidays because we get to take a break from our usually busy lives and remember how lucky we all are to live in a country where we have the rights and freedoms that we have. One of my favorite things to do for the Fourth is to take in a good fireworks show. This year our Alabaster fireworks show will be moved from the old location by Publix to the high school property. This event will be held on July 2nd this year. I hope that everyone gets to spend time with their family and friends, swim, eat bar-b-que and just celebrate that we are blessed to live in such a great country! Happy Independence Day! Rick
Stacy Rakestraw |
Ward 3
rakestraw@cityofalabaster.com
I want to commend our community on the recent Unity Worship Service held at Larry Simmons Stadium, hosted by four local churches composed of diverse members who worshipped and prayed together for our city and nation. Residents praised the leadership of this event. Also, I am proud of the Chief of Police and our Alabaster Police Officers' willingness to have a constructive dialogue with our community and address concerns, along with the care they have put into our city. God has placed many precious friends in my life of different ethnicities and I am thankful for them and their children and how they have positively affected my family and the understanding of how God created us all in His image - that we are created uniquely and with a purpose in this world. We are all commanded to uphold justice and do what is right and I believe the majority of us do. When those who fall short of this and make grave, selfish mistakes, it hinders our society to reason and treat each other
