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OTM Mayors Hold Forum on Signs of Domestic Violence and Resources for Victims
By Anne Ruisi
Learning the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship can help prevent the escalation to domestic violence, several speakers said at the Over the Mountain Mayors Forum on Dating and Domestic Violence on Oct. 18.
“We’re putting the word out to every mayor in Jefferson County. Help us get the word out,” said Mayor Ashley C. Curry of Vestavia Hills.
He was joined by mayors Patrick McClusky of Homewood, Frank V. Brocato of Hoover and Stewart H. Welch III of Mountain Brook. Representatives from Fultondale also were in the audience, Curry said.
Held at Vestavia City Hall, the forum drew an audience that learned about domestic violence and resources for victims from representatives of the YWCA of Central Alabama and One Place Family Justice Center, and the parents of a woman killed by her estranged husband.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, so learning to recognize signs of a potentially abusive relationship is vital, the speakers said.
Statistics on domestic violence are sobering. In Alabama, 37.5% of women and 29.5% of men have experienced domestic violence, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
This includes all types of abuse, such as physical, sexual and psychological abuse and stalking. It can be from a current or former partner and can start at a young age.
“One in five tweens know a victim,” LaRhonda Magras, CEO of the YWCA, said. She said that 40% of U.S. teens aged 14 to 17 have been exposed to some form of domestic abuse and 39% have experienced sexual victimization.
Domestic violence is any pattern of behavior in an intimate relationship used to gain power and control over another person, said Cleo Callahan, the YW’s senior director of domestic violence and shelter services.
It’s the leading cause of injury to women and cuts across all socio-economic levels, including
age, income and education. Women ages 16 to 24 experience dating violence at the highest rate, three times the national average, Callahan said.
Where to Get Help for Domestic Violence
There are resources for anyone in an abusive or violent situation who wants help or just needs to talk. • Crisis Center of Central Alabama U Talk Youth Line at 205-328-5464 • National Dating Abuse Helpline at 866331-9474, or text “loveis” to 22522 • National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 • YWCA Crisis Line at 205-322-4878
Watch for the Signs
Red flags of potentially abusive relationships include a partner who demands access to your phone and social media, isolates you from friends and family, uses jealously to justify their behavior, follows you or shows up unexpectedly at your dorm, class or job, begins to criticize you or calls you names, threatens to hurt you or themselves and won’t take “no” for an answer, according to the website of the Megan Montgomery Domestic Violence Prevention Fund.
Megan Montgomery was 31 when her estranged husband killed her in December 2019. She had escaped from his abuse and wanted to share her experience with other women. Her mother, Susann Montgomery-Clark, and stepfather, Rod Clark, created the fund to provide grants to nonprofits and schools to teach young adults about healthy relationships.
“That was her mission, to warn other girls and women,” Clark said.
The effects of an unhealthy relationship in teens and young women manifest in a change in mood, sleep and eating patterns, withdrawal from friends, lowered academic performance and loss of interest in activities and sports, Callahan said.
In adults, effects include anxiety, depression, a decline in work performance, withdrawal from friends, and trips to the emergency room.
Help is Available
The YWCA has confidential resources, such as counseling, assistance in securing legal services and help for victims to learn about healthy relationships, Magras said. These can be accessed at the 24-hour crisis line, 205-3224878.
Family and friends can offer support to those in an abusive situation, Callahan said.
“Let them know they are not alone and it’s not their fault. Provide resources and encourage them to reach out to community resources,” she said. “Allow them to speak and lead the conversation. Let them know you believe them.”
Amend Together, a primary prevention initiative, is a program that focuses on males. Its aim is to end violence against women and girls by challenging the culture that supports violence and cultivates healthy masculinity in men and boys.
Piggly Wiggly Gets Up to $3.5 Million in City Incentives to Build Larger Store
The Homewood City Council has approved an incentive to help the Piggly Wiggly build a new building next to its current store that would double its size.
Under the agreement, the city set a base
amount of $3.5 million, the amount the Pig paid in sales taxes in the past year. The store will continue to pay sales taxes, but the city will rebate the store any amount it pays over $3.5 million.
“Of course, we expect with the Pig getting bigger that they will increase their sales,” Homewood City Council President Alex Wyatt said in a video wrapping up action by the council during its Oct. 24 meeting.
The rebates will continue for up to 10 years or until the amount of taxes rebated reaches $3.5 million, Wyatt said.
“By doing it that way, we hope that the Pig is successful as possible and we hope that we can reach that $3.5 million even sooner than 10 years, much like we’ve had with the Target deal,” Wyatt said. “By doing a full rebate above the base amount should allow us the best opportunity to do that.”
A representative of the landowner said they are talking with CVS officials about relocating their store on the adjacent property, Bham Now reported. If they do, that area will become parking.
ALEX WYATT, HOMEWOOD CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Plans are for a new Piggly Wiggly next to its current store, above, that would double its size.
Candidates Vie for Office in Nov. 8 Election
By Anne Ruisi
Over the Mountain voters will go to the polls Nov. 8 for an election that features campaigns for top statewide political office and local leadership roles.
Here is a quick look at some of those local races.
Jefferson County
District Attorney – Incumbent Danny Carr, a Democrat, is running unopposed for a second four-year term. He was elected in 2018.
Sheriff – First-term incumbent Mark Pettway, a Democrat, faces Republican Jared Hudson for the county’s top elected lawman.
County Commission District 5 – Steve Ammons is running unopposed for reelection. He’s served on the commission since 2018.
State House District 46 – Incumbent David Faulkner is running unopposed. He was first elected in 2014.
State House District 47 – Democrat Christian Coleman and Republican Mike Shaw are seeking the House seat held by the late state Rep. David Wheeler, who died earlier this year.
State House District 52 – Longtime state Rep. John W. Rogers Jr., a Democrat, is running unopposed. He was first elected in 1982.
Shelby County
District Attorney – Republican Matt Casey is running unopposed.
Sheriff – Republican John Samaniego is running unopposed for reelection. He has been sheriff since 2014.
State House District 43 – Incumbent Republican Arnold Mooney is facing Democrat Prince Cleveland and Libertarian Jason Newell Davis Burr.
Jefferson and Shelby counties
There are a few state Senate and State House district races that cross county lines in our area.
State Senate District 15 – First term incumbent Dan Roberts, a Republican, faces Libertarian Michael Crump.
State Senate District 16 – Incumbent J.T. “Jabo” Waggoner, a Republican, is unopposed. He’s been a state senator since 1990.
State House District 48 – Incumbent Jim Carns, first elected in 2011, is running against Libertarian Bruce Stutts.
