pelika Observer O
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020
Vol. 12, No. 20
Opelika, Alabama
SUNDAY, MARCH 1 ST
GOSPEL Explosion — LIVE IN CONCERT —
Le’Andria Johnson, Chee Chee Jordan & Brandon Morgan Shows Start at 2pm & 6pm 334.705.5466 BOTTLINGPLANTEVENTCENTER.COM
“By local people, for local people.”
Opelika Ward 2 Councilwoman Patsy Jones reaches 25 years of service on city council, looks back on accomplishments and discusses future By Sara Wilson Opelika Observer In 1995, Patsy Jones was elected to the Opelika City Council with the hopes of making Opelika better through her passion for education, economic development and public safety. Twenty-five years later, and she has done just that. “We are a city that has been progressing for 25 years. I am proud to be a part of having even led or followed being a part of what has made Opelika better,” Jones said. During her years on the council, Jones has held many titles. She
was the first African American female councilwoman, as well as the first African American female President Pro-Tempore. She has been the longest-serving member on the Opelika City Council with the Mayor-Council form of government. Serving the community has always been important to Jones. One of her first encounters with public service occurred when she became a deputized register, or someone who helps register people to vote. It was then that she realized how paramount voting was. Growing up, Jones’s teachers had
Photo submitted to the Opelika Observer
such an influence on her, that she decided to pursue that same
career field. Jones, an Opelika native, attended Alabama
Celebrating 100th birthday Margaret Linch Melson born in Salem, the daughter of the late Jesse and Lois Linch
State University in Montgomery where she earned a bachelor of science in English and a master of education to pursue a career within the school system. “Beyond family, education was always important. I went to school and loved my teachers, and because of their influence, this is one of the reasons I wanted to become a teacher,” Jones said. For 24 years, she worked in the Tallapoosa County school system as an English teacher. In 1998, Jones left the classroom and began serving as a UniServ Director for District 19, which
serves Chambers, Lee and Tallapoosa counties, where she stayed for 13 years. Jones has now retired from the education system. Considering her background in education, Jones’s platform heavily relied on strengthening the school system. In addition, her platform consisted of supporting economic development and public safety. “From 1995 to now, that has been what has driven my working on this council,” Jones said. When Jones, who serves Ward 1, first started working on the council, she helped establish See Jones, page A3
Smiths Station Mayor F.L. ‘Bubba’ Copeland receives ‘Individual of the Year Award’
By Natalie Anderson Staff Reporter The daughter of a former Lee County sheriff, Margaret Linch Melson was raised in Opelika and attended Southside Elementary, Cliff High and Auburn University, where she majored in home economics. Margaret met John Melson from Huntsville, and they married on March 1, 1939, after eloping to Tuskegee. The two celebrated 70 years of marriage on the same day that John celebrated his 90th birthday in 2009. Margaret and John have three children, five grandchildren, eight
Copeland By Morgan Bryce Editor
See Melson, page A2
Photo by Natalie Anderson/Opelika Observer
Index
OPINION.....................................A4 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY..............A7 RELIGION..............................A13 CALENDAR..................................A14
COMICS.....................................A16 SPORTS..................................B1 POLITICS...................................B7 PUBLIC NOTICES..........................B13
Following a year that saw him serve as the face of a city
and community in the aftermath of the March 3 tornadoes, Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland See Copeland, page A3
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Visit www.opelikaobserver.com for a sample letter to ADEM to voice your concerns about the proposed quarry