Shooting fund hits

$136,000

A fund to benefit victims of the April 15 mass shooting and their families now has collected $136,000 after the Kiwanis Club and First Presbyterian Church presented checks during a Kiwanis meeting last month, said Dr. Ben Hayes, pastor of First Baptist Church of Dadeville. Dadeville Kiwanis Club president Lesia Woody explained the organization donated $1,000 to go toward Dadeville First Baptist Church’s fund for victims.

The church is working with the Community Foundation of East Alabama, Lake Martin Area United Way, Dadeville Mayor Frank Goodman and additional community leaders on how to best distribute the funds. The first priority with the funds is aiding affected families with funeral costs and medical bills.

“Our desire is to do the best we can to make a difference in these families’ lives,” Hayes said.

~ Abigail Murphy

To that end, Banks requested the city’s historic preservation commission approve demolition of the buildings.

“Main Street is a proponent of historic preservation,” Banks said. “That is one of our founding cornerstones, but unfortunately, sometimes you cannot save a building. We feel like it’s time to address the issue and then we can really start to move on proposals of ideas and developments for that property.”

According to Banks, a group composed of city and community members dedicated the prior year and a half to exploring the venture. Council members listened to the proposal during the work session, but announced no resolution regarding the proposal during a subsequent regular council meeting.

~ William Marlow

~ Abigail Murphy