By Nathan Prewett, For the Tribune
MOODY – Moody Mayor Joe Lee proclaimed the week of April 21-27 to be Parental Alienation Prevention Week during a meeting of the city council on Monday, April 22.
The occasion is part of Child Abuse Prevention Month during the month of April.
On April 11, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a proclamation designating April 25 as Parental Alienation Awareness Day and recognizing parental alienation week.
The proclamation cited data by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders that found that the “dysfunctional family dynamic of alienation” qualifies as child abuse.
Ashley Hilburn, who is active in preventing parental alienation, received the mayor’s proclamation and stressed the importance of separated or divorced parents to not speak badly of one another in order to prevent a child from feeling guilt over loving both parents and becoming disillusioned.
“While we are thankful for the governor’s proclamation, I firmly believe that the most impactful change begins at the local level,” Hilburn said in a statement.
“Your involvement and dedication to this cause are crucial in making a difference in our community.”
Hilburn encouraged the public to take part in “Bubbles for Love” on April 25 in which people can blow soap bubbles and post pictures to social media with the hashtag #BubblesForLove and #StopParentalAlienation.
Also during the meeting, the council heard from Laura Armstrong from the Friends of Moody Schools Board who asked the council to consider increasing their yearly allocation to $5,000.
She said that regular funding has helped the local schools buy new equipment and stay up to date. More than $300,000 in funding has gone to awarding scholarships over the years, she added.
“The community has been phenomenal,” Armstrong said. “And [the council has] been with us to make this happen, to make the schools what they are.”
She said that lowering funds, especially during COVID, prompted the board to reach out for an increase.
Lee advised her to submit a request in writing to the finance committee for consideration to be put into next year’s budget and offered to try and allocate some money this year.
After some discussion it was decided to revisit the matter at the next meeting.
In other business the council:
- Approved a request from Police Chief Reece Smith to allow the B shift officers to attend in-service Professional Development training for a cost not to exceed $1,400,
- Approves Smith’s request to replace the windshield on a department vehicle for $600,
- Approved a request from Fire Chief Larry Horton to purchase 1,000 feet of five-inch supply lines for $11,500,
- Approved the purchase of a new fire engine to replace an older vehicle for an estimated $840,000,
- Approved demolishing the fence at the city park in favor of new fencing for a cost not to exceed $35,000,
- Adopted an ordinance related to open burning in the city, requiring calling city hall for a permit,
- Sponsored the Moody Miracle League for $5,000, and
- Approved Smith’s request to bring in a facility dog for SROs in the amount of $1,400 to be paid for with confiscated funds and with money from the 411 Foundation.
Meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Moody City Hall on 670 Park Ave.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.