The Garden City Town Council (Maggie Darnell for The Cullman Tribune)
GARDEN CITY, Ala. – When Garden City Mayor Tim Eskew asked council members Monday night if they had any further comments, Mayor Pro-Tempore Scott Arnold addressed the topics of taxes and Rock the South.
Said Arnold, “I would love to have somebody from the Cullman County Commission to come to our council meeting and talk to us, other than when it comes time to be re-elected. They’ve approved these taxes… I’m not scared to say it. I don’t appreciate it. Maybe I’m the only one on the council who feels this way, but I don’t appreciate the Cullman County Commission approving all these taxes, doing all these things without the County and approval.”
He continued, “I’ve heard rumors and stories that they’ve approved to improve roads just to accommodate a concert for two days, for Rock the South. I don’t appreciate my taxes are going toward that, that’s just why I’m saying it. I would love to see some county commissioners come and talk to us at our council meeting, other than when it comes time to get reelected. I’ll leave it at that.”
Some other council members voiced agreement with Arnold’s statements.
“Roland Johnson Parkway over here, we’re told is sliding off into the river, and the Cullman County Commission told us they don’t have any money to help us with it, that it’s our responsibility, but they’re going approve a road for a two-day concert? Come on, now. I’d love to talk to somebody. That’s all I got.”
In the work session prior to the council meeting, Eskew said that at the town’s storm shelters during recent severe weather, parking lot space has been an issue. Eskew and the council are already thinking of solutions, but no action was taken during the meeting.
Eskew shared that the Town recently donated a tornado siren to another community in Missouri that was originally bidding on the item, saying, “To me, that’s what it’s all about, helping other people that are in need. They were thrilled to death.”
The council voted to participate this year in the Alabama Retail Association’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday July 19-21, 2019. The council also discussed the newly debuted town signs. Signs were installed around the parks in Garden City.
In other business, the council approved and gave a 4 percent raise for Town Clerk Shannon James.
“I appreciate you, Shannon,” said Arnold.
“Thank you, Shannon for what you do,” said another councilman.
A member of the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department addressed the council about the department’s rescue medical vehicle, a 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe, needing new rear tires. Councilman Butch Bradford made a motion to get new tires for the rescue medical vehicle, and it was approved.
Councilman Doug Pender voiced appreciation for the fire department, saying, “We appreciate our guys so much.”
Lastly, Eskew proclaimed April Child Abuse Awareness Month.
The Garden City Town Council meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 p.m., with a work session at 5:30 p.m., at Garden City Town Hall. The next scheduled meeting is April 22 at 6 p.m.
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