By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
PINSON – Pinson Council Mayor Pro-Tem Robbie Roberts read a proclamation that honored Caleb White, a student-athlete of Pinson Valley High School who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away due to unknown causes on Aug. 10.
The proclamation described White as “passionate, compassionate, a leader among his peers, loyal to his core with an infectious smile.” He was an honor student at Pinson Valley High and an esteemed member of the basketball team.
White’s basketball skills and achievements brought him offers of scholarships, selections and high rankings both statewide and nationally.
“Well, we know he will be missed by his family and his friends,” said Councilwoman Glenda Kirkland. “I can’t imagine what the family goes through with losing a child. I just, you know, no one knows until it happens to you.”
Mayor Joe Cochran, who knew White personally, became tearful after the proclamation was read. He said that he would deliver the proclamation to White’s family the day after the meeting. White was 17 at the time of his passing.
Center Point Fire Interim Chief Brandon Dahlen and Captain Chris Horn then spoke with Horn speaking of White’s sportsmanship and conduct while playing.
“Caleb was always an athlete that always handed the ball back to the official,” he said. “‘Hey, don’t run over there and get that ball. I’ll get it for you.’ And he was a class act on the floor and it was always ‘Yes, sir’ or ‘No, sir.’”
He reported that several new trucks will be secured in the near future thanks to a grant. He also said that the previous fire chief, Alex Nabors, had resigned and that Dahlen would be overseeing the district for the time being.
During the regular meeting, the council passed several resolutions related to road projects. The first was a resolution to allow the city to access funds from the Rebuild Alabama Act. The expected allocation is approximately $182,000.
According to the resolution, the city has received approximately $170,000 from a new 10 cent gas tax hike that was implemented by the act and that these funds have not been expended yet. The funds will be used for the paving and construction of industrial roadways in the Highway 79 corridor.
The second was an agreement with ALDOT that the city perform all maintenance on crossroads, service drives or relocated roads that are not federal or state highways but are part of the city of Pinson.
And finally was a resolution to split the cost of a paving project for the Innsbrooke neighborhood with LGI, the contractor that has been building in the area. The estimated cost is $17,000 and will be applied to paving the road, which is located at Innsbrooke Parkway from Ashbury Drive to the entrance of the Hunter’s Point subdivision.
The city resolved to pay approximately $8,000 to $10,000.
In other business, the council:
- Annexed two properties on Evelyn Road,
- Declared properties on Main Street and Goodwin Road to be nuisances,
- Agreed to provide additional EMS and patrol officers for the Pride of the Valley Marching Competition in September,
- Heard a report from Pinson Public Library Director Allison Scanlan about the Summer Reading Program,
- Heard a report from Operations Director Eric Winfrey who updated the council on the remaining solar lighting installation and ongoing renovations to Rock School’s auditorium.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.