Mickey Starling
reporter3@greenepublishing.com
Before the meeting began for the Madison City Commission on Tuesday, March 14, city commissioners, family and friends gathered at City Hall to honor the late Chuck Hitchcock, who passed away in 2022. He was a beloved coworker and building inspector whose dedication to serving others was well remembered by numerous citizens. Madison Church of God Pastor Jason Justus remembered Hitchcock for his faithfulness to provide inspections at various hours of the day, even when the workday was over. Justus also remembers quickly discovering Hitchcock's favorite response to most questions: “Alright.”
Deloris Jones spoke next, stating that Hitchcock was a humble man. “I would tell him, ‘we can make a law,’ but he would just smile and say, ‘no, we can't do that Ms. Jones.’” Jim Stanley recalled that Hitchcock was a great servant. Pastor Delvin Boatman, who had worked alongside Hitchcock, praised him for being a “common man.” “He always reminded me that you gotta make time for lunch,” said Boatman. Mayor Judy Townsend read a statement of appreciation from the city, which remembered Hitchcock's years of service and dedication to the job. “He was one of a kind,” said Townsend.
Next up was some reorganization of the City Commission, with Mayor Townsend passing the gavel to Commissioner Ina Thompson, as she begins her term as mayor. Commissioner Jim Catron took the position of Vice-Mayor. J.P. Moore presented Townsend with a certificate, praising her service to the city, and Thompson gave her a plaque expressing further appreciation for her hard work during her term as mayor.
Public comments were highlighted by a reminder from Deloris Jones about National Women's Month, which is celebrated during the month of March. The Nu Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. hosted the Visionary Women Awards Celebration on Saturday, March 25, beginning at 3 p.m. The event was held at the Senior Citizen's Council of Madison County. Rep. Allison Tant was the guest speaker.
City Manager Jerome Wyche presented information about a $300,000 planning grant to assist with sewer system updates. The commissioners voted unanimously to approve application for the grant. The commissioners also approved application for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction Loan for $5,263,900, of which $4,737,510 can be forgiven. This loan would fund water system improvements and the construction of a new public works building.
Thanks to the Community Project Funding Grant Agreement, orchestrated through former Sen. Al Lawson and completed by Sen. Neal Dunn, the wastewater system beneath Range Avenue will be repaired. The grant provides $110,000 for the project, none of which has to be repaid.
To continue the process of filling vacancies on several boards, Commissioner Catron offered candidates for the City Planning and Zoning Board, Code Enforcement Board and the Pension Board. Further discussion about filling these boards will continue at a future meeting.
City of Madison Fire Chief Bruce Jordan presented a proposal for purchasing a plaque dedicated to former Fire Chief Raymond Pinkard. The plaque would also list all the chiefs since Pinkard's tenure, which ended in 1995. The cost of the plaque is estimated at about $1,200. The commissioners unanimously agreed for Jordan to continue with obtaining the plaque.
In City Manager Wyche's report, he presented a number of ideas for curbing the speeding which occasionally occurs around Lake Shore Drive, one of which was to make the road a one-way street. After a bit of discussion on the issue, it was agreed that the first step will be to reduce the posted speed limit from 20 miles per hour to 15 miles per hour. Further steps will be taken if motorists continue to speed around Lake Francis, which is a favorite spot for many citizens to eat, walk, exercise and enjoy the view.
The next scheduled meeting of the Madison City Commission is set for Tuesday, April 11, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All meetings are held at City Hall, located at 321 SW Rutledge St., in Madison.