By Crystal McGough, For The Tribune
PINSON – The Pinson City Council held a discussion at the regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 15, regarding this year’s upcoming Veteran’s Day luncheon, which will be held on Nov. 11, 2022. Since 2020, the city has held a drive-thru style lunch pickup for local veterans in lieu of a traditional sit-down event.
“Because Covid forced us to, we’ve been having drive-thru luncheons for the last several years,” Mayor Joe Cochran said. “I just wanted to gauge the thoughts of the council as to whether you want to go back to a traditional type of luncheon at the Rock School Complex or stick with the drive-thru type.”
Councilor Clinteshia Irvin said that she thinks a traditional luncheon would be preferred, and Councilors Brad Walker and Robbie Roberts agreed.
“This is a community, and people like to see each other,” Walker said. “So, I think (they) would like to see (their) friends.”
Cochran said the city could offer the option of carry-out plates for anyone not able to attend the luncheon in person.
“Everything is pre-arranged,” he said. “You would take reservations. If somebody said (they) would like to get a couple of plates to take to this person … we would make that available. They would just have to come get them and take it to them.”
Councilor Irvin reminded the public that the Pinson Christmas parade will be Thursday, Dec. 1, with an “Ugly Christmas Sweater” theme.
“Wear one, and decorate your car or float as one,” she said. “It will be really fun.”
The deadline to register a float in the parade will be Nov. 25. The grand marshal has not yet been determined, but Irvin said she would have more updates at the next council meeting.
Mayor Cochran announced that Pinson Valley High School’s “Pride of the Valley” annual marching band competition will be held on Sept. 24.
“My last understanding is that they have either four or six more bands this year than they had last year, last I checked,” he said. “It’s a great all-day event … great event that the band boosters put on, and it’s a major fundraiser for the Indians.”
The council heard from Clay-Pinson Chamber of Commerce executive director Ronnie Dixon concerning the Alabama Butterbean Festival, which will be held Friday, Sept. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 1.
“This is our 17th, if you can believe it,” Dixon said. “We’re looking forward to it. … We’ve got 30 more booths than we had last year, so we’re going to be bigger than pre-pandemic.”
There will be fireworks that Friday night at approximately 9:15-9:30 p.m., as well as a carnival in the Pinson City Hall parking lot.
In other business, the council approved the following:
- Resolution 22-30, declaring overgrown grass/weeds a public nuisance at 4109 Powell Avenue
- Resolution 22-31, declaring overgrown grass/weeds a public nuisance at 4350 Main Street
- Ordinance No. 2022-20, authorizing the mayor to make the Palmerdale Homesteads Community Center available for short-term rentals by third parties
- Motion to approve Sweetwater as the low bidder for PA equipment in the amount of $20,763.97
- Motion to approve a quote from Kenwood Radio’s for public safety equipment in the amount of $19,358.52
- Motion to approve a quote from Lockcorp Inc. for access control at PHCC in the amount of $5,541
- Motion to approve Rudd Baseball request for a portable pitcher’s mound in the amount of $1,829
- Motion to purchase 4 Tripod 600w LED Balloon lights in the amount of $11,100
- Motion to fund ClassTran in the amount of $500
- Motion to approve Christmas lights at PHCC in the amounts or $2,429.92 the first year, and $1,259.74 the second year
- Motion to approve fencing for Public Works Storage Yard in the amount of $47,263
The next meeting of the Pinson City Council will be Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, at Pinson City Hall, beginning at 7 p.m. A pre-council work session will take place at 6:15 p.m.
Crystal McGough can be contacted at mcgoughcrystal@gmail.com