By Crystal McGough, Editor
TRUSSVILLE – Nancy Waller, District Six area chair of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR), surprised Mayor Buddy Choat and the Trussville City Council during the public comments portion of the regular city council meeting Tuesday, July 11.
Accompanied by Trussville Veterans Committee President Chad Carroll, Waller stepped to the podium with a framed Seven Seals Award in hand to present to Mayor Choat.
“I served 29 years in the National Guard, so that’s where my heart is, but the reason that ESGR came about many years ago was to help service members in the Guard and Reserve, as well as their civilian employers, have a good working relationship,” Waller said. “In this case, I’m here today to present to you, Mr. Mayor, a Seven Seals Award, which is a very prestigious award presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, in which I serve as the District Six area chair as a volunteer. This award is given to individuals who play a vital role in anything relating to members of the Armed Forces, whether currently serving as Chad is, retired as I am, or who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“In 2021, Mayor Choat was instrumental in developing the City of Trussville Veterans Committee to help serve our veterans in the community,” Waller continued. “Mayor Choat supports all veterans within our community and helps provide resources to veterans and families in need.
“Mayor Choat continues to help the City of Trussville Veterans Committee be the most veteran-friendly city in Alabama. In support of the Trussville City Council, Mayor Choat provided the space for the Alabama Fallen Warrior Monument, honoring the 226 service members killed in the global war on terror from Alabama. I am honored to share this award with you.”
As Waller presented the Seven Seals Award to the mayor, Carroll stepped up to say a few words about the award and the city as a whole.
“This award states (Mayor Choat’s) name on it, but this is really a City of Trussville award,” Carroll said. “All the city council members, the mayor, fire department, police department, the schools – there’s veterans that serve throughout this whole community, in our community, and we are here to support them and serve them. When I’m deployed, the good thing I get to know is my family is protected and safe back here in the community, going to a good school.”
During the regular agenda, the council approved Proclamation 2023-14, proclaiming a Drum Corps International performance at Hewitt-Trussville High School on July 28 a city-wide event.
The DCI performance will be held at the high school’s football stadium at 7 p.m., and will serve as a fundraiser for the HTHS Band Foundation.
“We encourage friends, neighbors and music fans to show up and support this event and the Huskies Band,” the proclamation stated.
Additionally, the council approved Resolution 2023-40, declaring a police cargo van as surplus and authorizing the mayor to sell, convey, or otherwise dispose of the van.
Under the consent agenda, the council approved the following:
- Reappointment of IDA member Dwight Turnipseed, with term expiring July 14, 2029
- Appointment of Rhonda Charping to Senior Citizens Advisory Board, filling the vacancy left by Joyce Goodwin, with term expiring April 14, 2025
- Authorizing the mayor to sign a licensing agreement with the City Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.
The Trussville City Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the City Hall Annex. Meetings begin at 6 p.m.