Local News

At this past Thursday’s Go Gadsden meeting, newly elected State Rep. Ramon Alexander gave an update on what he has been working on.
Alexander said this year the Legislature is being asked to cut $3 million to $5 million from education — grades K through 12 and the state and university system.
In an effort to cause chaos, Alexander said other members of the Legislature are trying to pit projects against
each other.
“Not in my back yard,” Alexander said.  “You can cut everybody else’s stuff, but not mine.”

Concerned citizens came out to the school board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 24, to voice their opinions on proposed of school consolidations.
Barbara Brown said Gretna Elementary, one of the schools that’s proposed to be closed, is the rock of her community.  She said she was also worried about the overcrowding of classrooms and safety issues if the schools are combined.  Brown said there were many fights when Quincy and Havana students were combined to form East Gadsden High School.

At a special Midway City Council meeting Jan. 19, the council voted 5-1 to accept an agreement to pay former city manager Agatha Muse-Salters $69,000 in monthly payments until August.
They also voted to pay her in November for her $50,000 in attorney’s fees. Mayor Ronald Colston, city council members Wanda Range, Carolyn Francis, Zachary Woods and David Knight voted to accept the agreement, while Councilwoman Quintealia Cato voted against it. Councilman Charlie Smith did not attend the meeting.

At a breakfast held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, the Rev. Greg Taylor encouraged listeners to overcome adversity by first being accountable for themselves.
As the aroma of sausage, grits and biscuits drifted through the Joe Ferolito Recreation Center in Quincy, Taylor spoke about April 4, 1968, which is the day King was assassinated.  Taylor said that day has gone down in the history books as a time to remember, but it seems the black community hasn’t recovered from it yet.