
Hello August

August 1, 2024
Inauguration Ceremony
Today, August 1, 2024, the Florence Council had the honor of welcoming Jackie Loyd Hendrix as our new District 2 council member during a special City Council meeting. President Kaytrina Simmons led the ceremony, with Representative Kerry Underwood providing the invocation, administering the Oath of Office, and delivering the benediction.
Florence Council appointed Jackie Hendrix to serve as the District 2 Council Member
Tuesday evening, the Florence Council appointed Jackie Hendrix to serve as the District 2 Council Member!
As a resident and active community member, Jackie brings much experience and dedication to this role, including a background in business and extensive involvement in various local organizations.
Jackie's impressive resume includes:
- B.S. in Management from the University of North Alabama, graduating Magna Cum Laude
- Owner of Party Pros USA, managing annual budgets and a team of employees
- Chairman of the City of Florence Tree Commission
- Past leadership roles with the Shoals Economic Development Authority, Shoals Chamber of Commerce, and more
- Recognitions such as the Shoals Chamber of Commerce Chairman's Award and the Shoals Home Builders Association Hall of Fame Member
Jackie's commitment to our city is evident through his years of service and numerous awards. Join us in welcoming Jackie Hendrix as our new District 2 Council Member!
2024 State of the City Address
Mayor Andrew Betterton is pleased to announce that the 2024 STATE OF THE CITY program will be held on Tuesday, August 27th, at the Florence-Lauderdale Coliseum.
This year’s program will emphasize “Our Community” and offer additional information on the current status of the City of Florence, which will coincide with a "Taste of Home" contest between the City of Florence departments that the public will judge.
There is no charge to attend the program. Representatives from many of our community non-profit organizations and each department within the City of Florence will be available to answer questions and provide additional information before and after the presentation. The doors will open at 5:15 PM for the public to sample the “taste of home” treats and cast their vote; the program will begin at 6:00 PM.
Register below for a chance to win a Marriott Package giveaway including a one-night stay at the hotel, four rounds of golf at RTJ, a $200 spa voucher, and a $100 voucher for dinner at the 360 Grille. The winner will be announced at the event and must be present to win.
Please join us for tasty treats, fun, and exciting updates about our beautiful City!
BACK TO SCHOOL GIVEAWAYS
Hot Air Balloon Rides at Riverside Jazz!
Thank you to R&B Services Heating and Cooling for sponsoring the amazing hot air balloon rides at Riverside Jazz last night! And a special shoutout to the W.C. Handy Festival for the vibrant energy.
It was a soaring success!
Florence Alabama Police Foundation Backpack Drive
The Florence Alabama Police Foundation backpack drive was a huge success! Over 100 backpacks were gone within 20 minutes! We look forward to participating in the next one! Thank you to all of the community sponsors who made this event possible.
Rep. Robert Aderholt & Mayors Meet UK's Lord Ross John Kempsell
Congressman Robert Aderholt and his wife Caroline hosted a breakfast for Ross John Kempsell, Baron Kempsell, a member of the UK House of Lords. They toured the Shoals, including FAME Studio and Wilson Dam.
Mayor Andrew Betterton (Florence), Mayor Tim Tubbs (Killen), Mayor Matt Connolly (St. Florian), Mayor Allen Caddell (Waterloo), Mayor Steve Stanley(Sheffield), Mayor William Foster (Tuscumbia), and Mayor Derick Silcox (Leighton) joined them at Big Bad Breakfast for a visit. It was an honor to have him here and share our community's rich heritage.
Florence Fire & Rescue: Citizen's Fire Academy
Florence Fire Department's Citizens Fire Academy is open to everyone 18 years and older. If you are interested in a firefighter career or want to be a firefighter for a few days, contact our admin office at 256-760-6475
Florence Historian Billy Warren
JAMES SAMPLE: EARLY BRICK MASON IN FLORENCE
The brickwork pattern known as Flemish bond requires great skill to execute since it features alternating stretchers (sides of brick) and headers (ends of brick). Needless to say, it adds a handsome visual quality to the surface of a wall. (See illustration accompanying this column.) Knowing all of that, local historians were puzzled for years because that complex brick pattern appears in some of the earliest structures in Florence, with two prominent examples almost directly across the street from each other: Wakefield at 450 North Court and Coby Hall at 459 North Court. Turns out that Wakefield’s builder and first owner/resident was James Sample, a skilled brick mason and businessman who moved to Florence in the town’s very early years and constructed Wakefield in 1825 – just seven years following the town’s founding. Historians have discovered the location of Mr. Sample’s brickyard from a diary of Charles Hentz whose parents, Caroline and Nicholas Hentz, established a school for young women in 1834 in a large house where Willingham Hall sits today on the campus of the University of North Alabama. An excerpt from Charles Hentz’s diary reads thus: “To the south of the house [approximately the site of the lion habitat today] was a fine, large grove of mulberry trees – sloping down to a brickyard – a Mr. Sample had a large brickyard generally in active operation as workers kept up the fire in the kilns all night long.”
--Billy Warren, City Historian (brwarren@florenceal.org)
Get Out and Vote!--GunRunner as the Best Boutique Hotel with USA TODAY 10Best!
We are thrilled to announce that our very own GunRunner Hotel here in Florence has been nominated for the Best Boutique Hotel with USA TODAY 10Best!
They need your help to get the word out and secure this amazing recognition for the GunRunner Hotel. Voting is open until Monday, August 5 at noon ET. Every vote counts, and they would greatly appreciate your support!
Upcoming Events
Everyday
Annual Golf Tournament: Aug 22
Diebert Fishing Days: Aug 4
Shoals Scholar Dollars: August 31
Travel with The Club
Mount Rushmore, the Badlands & Black Hills of South Dakota -
August 17 - 25, 2024
Our bus tour to Mount Rushmore takes you up close to one of the most iconic sights in the USA.
September 22 - 28, 2024
Step back into a quaint lifestyle in a waterfront setting on this group bus tour.
November 11 - 15, 2024
Take in dazzling shows and the splendor of the Blue Ridge Mountains in our Smoky Mountains and Pigeon Forge bus tour!
Job Openings
Electricity Department
Full Time - $69,582.50 Annually
Gas Controller Operations Assistant
Gas DepartmentFull Time - $88,720.56 Annually
Full Time - $61,429.23 Annually
Full Time - $43,461.24 - $69,451.68 Annually
Next Council Meeting
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting
Tuesday, August 6, 2024
4:00 pm Work Session
5:00 pm Council Meeting
The council meetings are held at 109 South Pine Street, Florence, AL 35630.
A little funny...
Florence Parks & Recreation Survey
Connect with Us!
Email: abetterton@florenceal.org
Website: florenceal.org
Location: 110 West College Street, Florence, AL, USA
Phone: (256)760-6400
How to Submit Your Event, News, or Announcement:
- Public and community events or announcements can be submitted by attaching an email, Word document, PDF, or JPG file suitable for viewing on the web. Include graphics in JPG or PNG if possible.
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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.