By Crystal McGough, For The Tribune
PINSON – The Pinson City Council passed a proclamation Thursday, Sept. 1, recognizing and commending Zoning Official and Public Safety Director Bob Jones on the occasion of his retirement.
“I’m very proud to be at this point,” Jones said. “I’ve served under all but one of the very first council persons. … I appreciate the opportunity that they saw and gave me. I’m so proud to see what we’ve done with it and what this city is. I’m just proud to say that I’ve been a part of it. It wasn’t all I’ve done; it’s what the city’s done and they took me with them. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity.”
According to the proclamation, Jones has “faithfully and diligently served as Zoning Official and Director of Public Safety for the City of Pinson 11 years prior to his retirement … (and) the Mayor and City Council of the City of Pinson wish to acknowledge and congratulate and show its appreciation to Bob Jones for his service to the City of Pinson and its citizens and administrators.”
Former mayor Hoyt Sanders and former city councilor Dawn Tanner were in attendance to show their support of Jones, as well.
“The county’s loss was our gain,” Sanders said.
The council also passed a proclamation declaring September 2022 “Alopecia Areata Awareness Month” in the city of Pinson, in order to create awareness for an autoimmune skin disease that results in loss of hair on the scalp and the body.
“I’ve been suffering from Alopecia for over 20 years,” said Sandey Green, founder of the local chapter of the Alopecia Areata Foundation. “In May, when I had just a little hair left, I was looking in the mirror … I didn’t want to wear a wig, I didn’t want to wear a weave; I just wanted to be me. So, I prayed about it and God told me to cut my hair – the little hair I had – and once I cut my hair, I felt free.”
Greene said that she was her own biggest enemy because she was scared of how people would perceive her if she were bald.
“I’ve been bald since May,” she said. “I do not ever want hair again. Never again. And I’m so excited because this month is Alopecia Awareness Month, and to get this proclamation on the first – I’m excited! … Not everybody cares, and for the mayor to take out time to see about us, that’s amazing.”
Greene said that she will be holding an Alopecia Walk in Vestavia Hills on Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
“Please come out and support us,” she said.
In other business, the council approved the following agenda items:
- Resolution No. 22-29, assessing and determining a lien in the amount of $7,971.42 to be placed on property at 5237 Dewey Heights Road in connection to demolition of a building;
- Ordinance No. 2022-19, changing zoning classification of 6121 Sunrise Drive to City of Pinson IH (Industrial Heavy);
- Motion to purchase furniture for Zoning/Public Safety Office in the amount of $6,474.62;
- Motion to purchase a lawn mower for Parks and Recreation in the amount of $14,789.30; and
- Motion to put the purchase of a PA system out for bid.
The next meeting of the Pinson City Council will be Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, beginning at 7 p.m.
Crystal McGough can be contacted at mcgoughcrystal@gmail.com