Newsletter
Mayor Andy Betterton
March 16, 2023
Congratulations to the Florence Park & Recreation Department for hosting the Alabama vs. North Alabama softball game with over 4,000 in attendance!

The Sportsplex Exit/Entrance opened just in time for the UNA-Alabama softball 🥎 game!

Drive-thru Utility Payment Center Coming In 2024!
Mayor Betterton, Florence Council Members, Department Leaders, Butler Construction, & GMC Architecture Services broke ground on the new Drive-thru Utilities Payment Center today!
The Payment Center will include five drive-thru-only lanes and a drop box lane centrally located, at 365 Seville Street, for easier access and convenience for residents and businesses. The project consists of a 360-day contract and is expected to be completed in 2024.


Citywide Cleanup Day
Saturday, March 18th, 8am
Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum, Veterans Drive, Florence, AL, USA






New Businesses
Rodeo Western Wear
4215 Huntsville Rd.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090796873526
Rodeo Western Wear will be opening soon at 4215 Huntsville Rd. Western boots, clothing, and accessories can be found in the shop. Stay tuned for more details.
SJ’S Overstock
1531 N. Wood Ave.
256-349-2498
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087546223851
SJ’S Overstock is now open in 7 Points at 1531 N. Wood Avenue. Fantastic deals can be found, and stock changes weekly. Bin item prices change daily.
Fat Boyz Deli
606 S. Court St.
256-349-5906
Fat Boyz Deli serves sandwiches, gyros and pastas. The deli is located at 606 S. Court Street. To view their menu visit their website at https://www.fatboyzdeli.com/.
Axe Kicking
418 S. Royal Ave.
https://www.facebook.com/AxeKicking
Axe Kicking is coming to Florence. The axe throwing venue will be opening soon in Sweetwater. Stay tuned for more details.





VINTAGE EASTER GREETINGS
As with almost every holiday in America and the attendant modes of celebrating them, the sentiments reflecting the Easter season, along with the illustrations to accompany those sentiments, have evolved over time. Attached to this week’s “Florence, Then and Now” column is the image from a turn-of-the-twentieth-century postcard. It is set in a pastoral scene typically chosen by graphic artists of the period, with a little girl who embodies the very essence of childhood and an Easter bunny decked out in formal attire. They’re surrounded, of course, by colorful Easter eggs. On the reverse side of the postcard (not pictured), it is noted that the card was mailed from the Post Office in Birmingham, Alabama, on April 10, 1909, and that the postage cost the sender one cent (if it had been mailed to a foreign country, the cost would have been two cents). Interestingly, it was mailed to one Mary D. Jones, Florence, Alabama. There was no street address at all. Assuming it arrived at the addressee’s home, one has to wonder how it got there since there must surely have been more than one Mary Jones in Florence in 1909. Regardless, it is, today, part of a collection of local postcards in the hands of a person who treasures them.
--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org)



2023 Project Threadways Symposium
Location: The Factory at Alabama Chanin, 462 Lane Dr., Florence, AL
Date and Time: April 20-22 (see the full schedule here)
Description:
Join Project Threadways, the nonprofit organization founded by Natalie Chanin of Alabama Chanin, for its 2023 Symposium held April 20-22 in Florence. The theme for this year’s event is The Collective: Textiles as Community, and we explore the power of small groups to create big changes through the everyday act of making. The event kicks off Thursday, April 20, with a dinner prepared by Nicole Mills, Chef de Cuisine at Pêche restaurant in New Orleans. Friday and Saturday follow with two days of presentations, exhibitions, and conversations led by historians Katie Knowles and Aleia Brown, artist Diana Weymar, and many more. Attendees will tour an exhibit at Florence’s historic Pope’s Tavern museum curated specially for the symposium. In-person and virtual experiences are available. Find full details and buy tickets here.



Fire Department Station #1
402 South Wood Ave Florence
Full Time - $43,945.09 AnnuallyElectrical Distribution Engineer New
Electricity Department
Full Time - $67,555.82 Annually
Street Department 201 Railroad Avenue Florence
Full Time - $31,430.18 Annually
402 South Wood Ave Florence
Full Time - $42,195.38 Annually
Laborer Recycling Part Time New
Recycle 1200 Terrace Street 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
Support Staff Mayor City Council Part Time New
Mayor's Office Florence Lauderdale Government Building Ste 200 Florence
Part Time - $15.11 Hourly
Truck Driver New
Solid Waste 29485 County Road 14 Florence
Full Time - $34,403.65 Annually
Solid Waste 29485 County Road 14 Florence


PUBLIC NOTICE: Annual Fire Hydrant Testing
The Florence Fire Department will begin the annual flow testing on fire hydrants on April 3. Testing will be completed by April 30. All hydrants in Florence will be tested. During this time, you may experience discolored water. The water is harmless and will clear after you flush your lines.
However, when the water is discolored, do not wash clothing as the colored water could stain fabric. If your clothes are in a wash cycle, do not dry them. Allow clothes washed in stained water to remain wet until the water is clear. When your water runs clear, rewash your clothes.
We apologize for any inconvenience, and if you experience any problems, please call our Florence Gas & Water 24/7 dispatch number at 256-760-6490 for assistance or concerns. You can also contact Florence Fire & Rescue at 256-760-6475.


A little funny..

How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:
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- IMPORTANT: Please submit your information no later than Tuesday of each week (preferably sooner). Submissions after the deadline will be added to the next week's publication. The newsletter is posted on Thursday afternoon.
- 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