By Terry Schrimscher
Center Point — After the Center Point City Council failed, in January, to approve funding for two interns to attend the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington DC, donors from the private sector stepped up to set things straight for the two local students.
A resolution to provide $4,955 for travel expenses for the interns did not pass in the January 18 meeting of the Center Point Council but the students were able to travel to the conference last week thanks to generous gifts on their behalf.
“This week students Morgan Escott Holmes and Amy Taveres attended the National League of Cities Congressional Conference in Washington DC because of the generous contributions of so many community
members and stakeholders, who understand the importance of investing in our youth, developing our future leaders, and providing them with opportunities to learn and grow outside of the classroom through real world experience, exposure, and connections with other leaders nationwide,” said Council President D.M. Collins.
Holmes and Taveres were among more than 200 students from across the country in attendance. The students joined more than 170 Alabama municipal leaders and more than 3000 state and local leaders nationally where they attended workshops, met with members of Congress and attended an address from President Biden.
In a message to the Trussville Tribune, Collins expressed gratitude for many of the donors who raised funds to send Holmes and Taveres to the conference. Among the donors, Collins listed: Jefferson County Board of Education, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Hendrix Law Firm, Green Acres Farm, JW Package Store, Chris the Plumber, Gary Palmer for Congress, Councilman Glenn Williams, 1st Ave Tire Shop, Rochelle’s Coffee Bar, Frederick Burkes, 360 Photoventures, Cara Wilhelm, Terry Muhommad, Amy Stephens, Natalie Thicklen, Krystal Butler, Kristen Weaver, Julie Pignataro, Vernecia Jones, Courtney Dollar, Ingia Gentry and Project Success Ministries.
Mayor Bobby Scott and council members Ebonee Copeland and Glenn Williams attended the conference along with Collins, Holmes and Taveres.
The next meeting of the Center Point City Council will be held March 21 at Center Point City Hall. The meetings start at 6:30 p.m. and agendas are posted on the city
website, www.cityofcenterpoint.org prior to each meeting.