By Tanna Friday
Editor
A Proclamation declaring April 25, 2018 as Parental Alienation Awareness “Bubbles for Love Day” was presented by Councilor Jef Freeman in the March 27 regular meeting.
Alabama is one of 16 states who have declared or recognized April 25 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day (PAAD), part of a global awareness campaign to raise awareness about parental alienation.
“Alienating behaviors are frequently seen in high-conflict divorces, separations and asymmetrical custody arrangements, but can occur in intact marriages,” read Freeman.
Parental Alienation is a term used to describe any number of behaviors and attitudes on the part of one parent, both parents, or third party designed to interfere, damage or destroy the relationship a child has with their parents. It is a form of abuse that causes emotional trauma to children.
“Approximately 40,000 Alabama children a year experience court ordered visitation with one parent for only two to six days a month,” he continues. “Parental Alienation Awareness Week is intended to increase the knowledge and understanding of this problem to help Alabamians, institutions, the legal and mental health community and leaders to better identify and combat this abusive behavior to children.”
“In honor of Parental Alienation Awareness Week, the Trussville Mayor and City Council, invite the community to show their support by taking 10 minutes out your day, at noon on Wednesday, April 25, to blow soap “Bubbles for Love”.
“Each bubble blown represents the love our children have and should be allowed to share with both their parents,” reads Freeman. “Therefore Mayor Buddy Choat hereby proclaims April 22-28 Parental Alienation Awareness Week and Parental Alienation Awareness “Bubbles for Love” Day in Trussville.
In other business, the Council also approved a proclamation to recognize the month of April as Donate Life Month.
Councilor Zack Steele read Proclamation 2018-012 which stated, “One of the most meaningful gifts a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life,” said Steele. “$34,771 candidates on the nation’s organ transplant list received a life-saving or life-enhancing organ transplant in 2017. Of those, 501 received an organ transplant in Alabama.”
“A new patient is added to the national waiting list for an organ transplant every 10 minutes, while 20 individuals die each day waiting for an organ transplant. The City of Trussville supports the Alabama Organ Center’s life-saving mission and proclaims April 2018 as Donate Life Month.”
The Council also approved:
- Resolution 2018-012 granting the ‘Back to School’ sales tax holiday for July 20-22;
- Resolution 2018-013 awarding a cleaning bid for the city’s library;
- Merit increases for Park and Recreation, police, fire and library;
- Medic incentive for Judson Brent Moore;
- Hiring of two police officers;
- FY 2016-2017 audit;
- Accounts payable;
- Code Official Association of AL conference in May for Arnett;
- AL Assn Plumbing, Gas Fitters & Mechanical Inspectors conference in April for both Smith and Mann;
- Investigative Interviewing & Advanced Interrogation in May for Warmus;
- Library change order #52 Storz nozzle at fire vault;
- Ordinance 2018-004 to annex 350 Wimberly/I-59 property (behind Pinnacle Shopping Center); and
- Meeting minutes for Council meeting held on March 13.
The next Trussville City Council work session will be held on Thursday, April 5; and Tuesday, April 10 will be the next Council meeting.