For Immediate Release
17 April 2013


Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick Asking Community to Help Name New South Huntsville Park


CONTACT: Commissioner Phil Riddick
Madison County District Five
Commission
Telephone: 256-532-3497
dist5@madisoncountyal.gov


Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick is asking for help from the community to name the new 52 acre recreational multi-use park being built in South Huntsville on Chaney Thompson Road.  A dog park is the first part of  a multi-phase facility that is a collaboration between County Commission District 5 and the City of Huntsville.  Future phases include ball fields,
walking trails, picnic and playground areas, disc golf and other outdoor recreational uses.

 “The idea for this new multi-use park came from the community” said Riddick “It is only appropriate that the people now help come up with the right name for it.”

 Riddick is partnering with the Huntsville South community group to help run  the contest to name the park.  Suggestions can be made by posting on the  Huntsville South Facebook page or through the http://www.huntsvillesouth.org/  web page through May 31st. At that point a list of finalists will be determined  and the public will vote on a new permanent name for the Park.

 “I am excited about this new park complex and I believe it will really enhance our South Huntsville neighborhoods and be a huge asset for our area.”  said Riddick.  “As we continue to develop this facility I want to hear more  from the community about the features and amenities they want to see there.  This naming opportunity is a great way to begin that
conversation.”  This information is also posted on the calendar at http://www.madisoncountyal.gov

HUNTSVILLE SOUTH STATEMENT REGARDING COUNCILMAN JOHN OLSHEFSKI AND HUNTSVILLE UTILITIES
POSITION

There have been a lot of comments recently with regard to Councilman John Olshefski accepting a position with Huntsville Utilities.  As many of you have, the HUNTSVILLE SOUTH Civic Association Board has read many of the articles and statements.  Based on our experience with Councilman Olshefski and our understanding of Huntsville Utilities we are providing the following statement.
 
Since the formation of HUNTSVILLE SOUTH Civic Association in 2012, Councilman Olshefski has been supportive of our organization and on many occasions has assisted our organization in facilitating informative meetings and providing information to our Board.  These efforts have allowed HUNTSVILLE SOUTH to further share information to the citizens of south
Huntsville and other south Huntsville neighborhood associations. Councilman Olshefski has been timely in response to our telephone calls,  emails, and other communications to him as District 3 councilman. We have found Councilman Olshefski to be honest in his dealings with HUNTSVILLE SOUTH and we  believe him to be a man of integrity.

It is hard to imagine that Councilman Olshefski would contemplate accepting the position with Huntsville Utilities without both he and Huntsville Utilities seeking legal counsel with regard to any ethic or other government organizational problem accepting the position might create.  There are three actions for which the City Council votes with regard to Huntsville Utilities activities: (1) the approval of purchase / expenditure greater than $25,000, (2) approval of Utility Board appointees, and (3)  increases in electrical and water rates.  These items are brought before the council only after discussion and recommendation of the various Utility Boards, i.e. Gas, Water, and Electric. An increase in rates would be the more concerning of the above.  The council approved a rate increase in  2011.  

There are several unanswered questions. Can Councilman Olshefski properly serve the citizens of south Huntsville District 3 and perform his responsibilities in his position with Huntsville Utilities? Only the future will tell.  Could his position at
Huntsville Utilities be a positive for south Huntsville residents with regard to Utility issues?  We do not know if  his position with Huntsville Utilities creates an ethics violation with the  State law. But until there is proven an ethics violation or some other breach of law, Councilman Olshefski should serve out his term and honor those who voted him into the council position. Councilman Olshefski’s term expires in 2014, he must decide in the coming months if he can properly serve the citizens of south Huntsville District 3 and Huntsville Utilities.  

Senior Low Income Apartments – Clarkston Square

Many of you may have heard that there is a proposal in the works for  construction of some senior low income apartments in south Huntsville.  These apartments (Clarkston Square Apartments) are to be located on  Meadowbrook Drive. The
HUNTSVILLE SOUTH Board met with Mary Ellen Judah  of Neighborhood Concepts Inc. and Mr. Ken Benion of the City’s Community Development Department to discuss and gather information on this  project.

Farmers Market at Latham United Methodist Church


Announcing the opening of a Farmers Market at Latham United Methodist Church EVERY Tuesday starting on May 7th - October 1 3:00 -7:00 pm.  Wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as specialty foods and goods by  local artisans. Family friendly entertainment and you help support local farmers - Latham United Methodist Church 109 Weatherly
Road,  Huntsville, AL 35803.  This will be a wonderful service to our area!