Hello, September!
Mayor Betterton's Weekly Update
September 1, 2021
In honor of Labor Day, Florence Municipal Offices will be closed on Monday, September 6, 2021. Garbage and recycling collection will remain on schedule.
Enroll in Paperless or AutoPay Bill Options To Automatically Enter The Sweepstakes!
September 1 - November 30, new and existing paperless/autopay customers will be automatically entered to win 1 of 5 $100 Visa Gift Cards!
Message From Florence Police Department
There has been an increase in vehicle burglaries in the City of Florence. Please remember your #9PMRoutine. Take your valuables out of your car, lock your doors, and repeat your routine every night! If you see anything suspicious, do not hesitate to contact the Florence Police Department at 256-760-6610.
Help Florence-Lauderdale Animal Services Clear the Shelter
Animal shelters across the country are again teaming up with NBC and Telemundo stations to find loving homes for pets in need with the Clear The Shelters pet adoption and donation campaign. The stations' month-long "Adopt & Donate" effort will feature virtual pet adoptions making it easy for people to donate online to participating shelters and rescues. The campaign runs from Aug. 23 through Sept.19, 2021.
Adopt & donate to support a participating shelter near you: http://cleartheshelters.com/
NO, IT’S DODGE BROTHERS
Over the years, scores of local folks have been intrigued with the interesting insignia carved in stone and attached near the front doors of the building on the southwest corner of Court and Tuscaloosa Streets (pictured). This building is most recently known as the home of Fred’s Dollar Store, but longtime residents of a certain age remember it as Hill’s Grocery – which morphed into Winn-Dixie. But what about the insignia? Many have just assumed, because of its design elements, that it signifies the building is – or was – a Masonic Hall. Others, not so sure, have gone in search of local historians to ask, “Isn’t the building at least the former Masonic Hall for Florence?” The short answer is, “No.” The Masonic Hall has always been exactly one block south on the southwest corner of Tombigbee and Court Streets, while the building in question was originally a showroom for automobiles manufactured by Dodge Brothers. Now, look carefully at the attached photograph. See the intertwined “D” and “B”? Of course, it’s proof positive (and verified by early local newspaper accounts) that, originally, Dodge Brothers automobiles were proudly displayed to tempt the buying public. Mystery solved!
--Billy Warren, City Historian
New Business – Now Open
All the Best
128 E. Tennessee St.
https://www.allthebestflorence.com/
https://www.facebook.com/allthebestflorence/
All The Best is a modern take on the downtown corner store: part record shop, part snack bar, and part newsstand. In addition to vinyl records and periodicals, the store offers convenient snacks and beverages, a curated book and musical gear selection, and branded merchandise.
Check out the list of upcoming events...
First Friday: September 3, 2021
Walk To Fight Suicide: Sunday, October 24th
The Alabama Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will host its eighth annual Shoals Out of the Darkness Community Walk at Florence High School. Now, more than ever, it’s important to be there for one another and take steps to safeguard our mental health and prevent suicide. Money raised will allow us to fund research, create and implement prevention education programs, advocate for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.
Registration begins at 1:00 pm; Walk starts at 2:00 pm
To register, visit afsp.org/Shoals
The City of Florence offers a generous, defined benefit plan (pension plan), BCBS insurance plan, employee & family health clinic, paid annual & sick leave, and so much more.
Apply Now: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/florenceal/
Part Time - $10.75 Hourly
Category: Administrative Assistant
Department: Recycling
Swim Team Assistant New
Park and Recreation 2830 Darby Drive Florence
Part Time - $10.75 Hourly
Category: 911 Telecommunications
Department: Park & Recreation (Recreation)
A little laugh...
NEXT COUNCIL MEETING
The Mayor and Council members will hold the next council meeting on
Tuesday, September, 7 2021
4:00 p.m. Work Session
5:00 p.m. Council Meeting
City Auditorium
103 South Pine Street
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.
- Along with your information, include your name, phone number, event name, location, date and time, and a brief description.
- 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