Newsletter
Mayor Andy Betterton
June 8, 2023
Don't Let The Construction Keep You Away!
Discover the hidden gems of Mobile, Tombigbee, and Pine! Despite the new public parking deck construction, these local businesses are OPEN and ready for you! Don't miss out on Jack's Place Bistro, The Lava Room, Larry's Pawn Shop, Alabama Outdoors, Total Design, Creative Edge, and Willard & Berryhill, LLC. Support your community and shop locally!
ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY
Mayor Betterton joined the Lauderdale County Department of Human Resources to proclaim Thursday, June 15, 2023, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in our City. All citizens are encouraged to recognize and celebrate the value of our seniors and disabled adults and their right to live safely in their community.
In 2022, the State of Alabama received over 12,000 reports of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults. This year Lauderdale County's Adult Protective Services unit has averaged over 30 new investigations each month. The APS Program within the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) serves adults ages 18 and older to investigate reports of neglect, abuse, and exploitation and also coordinate as-needed services available in the community to enable adults to remain in their homes and to assist the Probate and Circuit courts in the awarding of guardianships and conservatorships.
Don't hesitate to get in touch with Lauderdale DHR at 256-765-4000 to make a report or request to speak with an APS Worker. Reports may also be made to the Adult Abuse Hotline, 1-800-458-7214, and online at aps@dhr.alabama.gov
HEALTHY HOMES MONTH
Mayor Betterton proclaimed June 2023 as “Healthy Homes Month” in the City of Florence; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Florence citizens and government officials shall observe this month with appropriate programs and activities designed to enhance public awareness of home health and safety hazards and how we can protect our friends and families.
Home health and safety hazards, including physical safety, lead-based paint, radon, mold, pests, and allergens, cause or contribute to various illnesses and diseases, including lead poisoning, asthma, cancer, and injuries. Be aware that homes can have serious health hazards.
Florence Welcomes the American Serenade
The American Serenade by American Cruise Lines
As the American Serenade & the 175 guests aboard arrived at McFarland Park, Florence & the Shoals, Mayor Betterton, Visit the Shoals, and the Florence Parks & Recreation Department welcomed them to Florence!
The American Serenade is just one of the cruise vessels operated by American Cruise Lines that will arrive eight times over the summer months between June 5 and August 24. The other vessel, the American Splendor, will visit Florence 6 times, the first arrival on July 23. For more information on the event, contact Visit the Shoals at (256) 740-4141. For more information regarding dates and fares, visit Small Cruise Ships | American Serenade | American Cruise Lines.
American Serenade Photo Credit (Bottom Right): Mary Carton
Tombigbee Public Parking Deck Groundbreaking
Thinking of LTC Warren as He Prepares for His New Assignment
“I am proud to call LTC RaShaun Warren a friend! Thank you for all you’ve done for UNA ROTC, our community & our youth! Godspeed on your new assignment in Japan.”
- Mayor Andy Betterton
We want to thank all of our men and women in uniform for their service to our country!
MAGIC CAMP Presented by STEVE TRASH!
Don't miss the chance to learn to read minds, predict the future, and magically make an entire bag of crayons appear out of thin air from PBS TV star – Steve Trash.
Wednesday, July 12- Friday, July 15, 2023 ($260)
8:30 am to 11:30 am
Saturday, July 15, 2023 - 9:30-12:30 (MAGIC SHOW)
Learn More About Our Public Library!
Junior Archaeology Day at Pope's Tavern
Pope’s Tavern Museum is hosting its second annual Junior Archaeology Day on Saturday, June 17th, 2023, from 9:00-3:00 at Pope’s Tavern Museum, 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL. Students K-12 are invited to participate in activities and people of all ages are welcome to attend.
To learn more and register for this free event, visit: https://www.florencealmuseums.com/landing-page/popes-tavern
Pope's Tavern is located at 203 Hermitage Drive, Florence, AL, and is open Tuesday - Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Call 256-760-6439 for more information.
Ceramics Workshop with Aaron Benson
The Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts is pleased to present the opportunity to participate in a ceramics workshop with UNA Art Professor, Coordinator of Ceramics and Sculpture, Aaron Benson. Join us 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24th for a Flowerpot Hand-build activity and create your own planter! Learn more about clay by building and glazing your own ‘flowerpot’ to take home in this one-day class. Registration is limited, so sign-up soon!
WORKSHOP FEE: $95 (includes Instruction & materials costs)
Register in person at the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa St., Florence, AL 35630
THE SOUTHALL BUILDING: A DOWNTOWN ANCHOR
Look carefully at the photograph of the Southall building which still stands proudly today in its
original location: the northwest corner of Court and Mobile Streets in downtown Florence. This
photograph appeared in the May, 1906, issue of Trotwood’s Monthly magazine, just six years
after the building was added to the downtown scene. Here is the description of the building in
that same magazine: “The building is 35 x 100 feet, with two floors and a splendid basement, is
elegantly furnished, lighted with gas and electricity, heated by a furnace in winter and
ventilated in summer by three large ceiling fans. The interior appearance will be further
improved by the installation of a handsome rubber tile flooring, something entirely new for this
section, and the cost of which shall be considerable. The people said to Mr. Southall, ‘Your
house is too fine for Florence,’ but Florence has sustained it.” Mr. Morton Southall, builder and
original owner of this fine commercial structure, had already built a handsome Victorian-style
home for his family on East Tuscaloosa Street. His granddaughter and her husband, Mary Eliza
(Southall) and Charles Moore, eventually donated that grand house to the City of Florence to
become part of the Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.
--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org)
Police Department 702 South Seminary Street Florence
Full Time - $34,403.65 Annually
Street Department 201 Railroad Avenue Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
Maintenance Worker Park and Recreation Part Time New
Park and Recreation 2830 Darby Drive Florence
Part Time - $13.00 Hourly
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
June 20, 2023
4:00 pm Work Session
5:00 pm Council Meeting
A little funny..
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- Send your information to rmansell@florenceal.org or call Rachel Koonce with questions at 256-760-6494.
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400