The Caledonia Board of Aldermen quietly ushered in the month Tuesday night, taking care of town business with relatively little public comment and no need for a lengthy executive session, as in the past few meetings.
Only a handful of citizens attended, including local resident Michelle Cox, who gave an update on Easter festivities recently held in Ola J. Pickett Park. Cox organized the annual Easter egg hunt and monthly “Movies on the Mound” series, sponsored by local businesses, with the city purchasing plastic eggs for this year’s hunt.
Cox said the hunt and the movies are growing in popularity every year. This year, 416 children participated in the hunt and 778 people watched the free movie. Last year, 300 children participated in the hunt and 450 watched the movie. Local businesses contributed 22 door prizes valued at $325.
Cox told the aldermen she already is planning this year’s back-to-school bash, which will include a fireworks show.
Alderwoman Brenda Willis also had festivities on her mind, saying it’s time for the board to begin working to secure funding from the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau for this year’s Caledonia Day festival, held annually in October.
Mayor George Gerhart balked at asking for money from the CVB, but Willis, backed by Alderman Mike Savage, said if it’s available, they should ask for it.
The board unanimously voted to appoint Alderman Bill Darnell as chairman and residents Susan Bell and Jane Kilgore as co-chairmen.
Mosquitoes already are becoming a pesky problem, and though Gerhart and Savage discussed whether to advertise for someone to spray pesticide, both agreed the truck needs to begin rolling quickly.
Terry Farrish, who handled the work last year, was approved by the board again this year, at a rate of $35 per spraying.
Savage said, though he is not opposed to advertising the position, it requires certification from the state health department, which Farrish already has.
“I’d still like to see it advertised, but whatever the board wants to do,” Gerhart said. “We needed to get started last week. It just seems like sometimes we operate on double standards up here.”
The board also unanimously approved a raise from $125 to $150 per week for Farrish’s wife, Theresa Farrish, who stripes the town’s athletics fields.
The town is currently considering hiring a parks director. Savage has been caring for the park on a volunteer basis.
In other news, the board voted to repaint the old Caledonia Presbyterian Church building, which is listed on the National Historic Register and was deeded to the town. It is currently being rented by another congregation.
Willis said, though the low bid for the job was $9,900, it needs to be done as the church has not been painted in 14 years.
“I know that’s a lot, y’all, but the church does need painting, and I know painting is terribly expensive,” Willis said. “I hate to spend that much, but I do want it done.”
The board also approved a $3,000 bid for work by David Knight Construction to connect four Lawrence Road customers to the town sewer system and heard a complaint from resident Charles Underhill, who said Darnell’s dogs are barking and bothering him at night.
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.