Dear Partners of Prattville,
We have grown accustomed to Mother Nature throwing a curveball here or there during Independence Day celebrations. However, I don’t think any of us could have predicted that America’s 244th Birthday celebration would fall during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to provide you with information on how the City of Prattville has fared thus far and share our plan for the Independence Day Fireworks.
As we faced the uncertainty of COVID-19, one of the main challenges was unquestionably the risks from a public health standpoint, but also the high importance for the stability of our local economy. During this time, we have heard a lot about the big box retail stores. However, our small businesses, which are the economic engine of America, have shown such resilience and innovation in their daily operations that some of them have had experienced record sales. Not all of our businesses have been so fortunate, but we are optimistic that most of them will rebound over time. Either way, all of our businesses have invested directly in our community, and our citizens have shown them tremendous support. They will need our continued support as we move forward together.
Two valuable contributions to our success lie with you, our citizens, and businesses, who together are the Partners of Prattville. The third essential component of this success is our Department Heads and employees. Together, we lived and survived the extreme financial challenges that were before us when I entered this office as mayor. The Department Heads and employees immediately understood that we had to be very meticulous in our spending as we faced the uncertainty of this pandemic. Everyone promptly bought into only making necessary expenditures until we saw the impacts of COVID-19. If they had not tightened their belts right at the beginning of this pandemic, we could have seen a completely different outcome. We have evolved immensely as a team, and I appreciate the dedication they have to this community as well as the hard work they continue to put into combating the challenges of COVID-19.
The proactive ready measures that we had in place enabled the City of Prattville to net positive income totals over the last two months. We accomplished this without any layoffs or furloughs, and we were able to continue to pay our seasonal employees who were affected by the Stay at Home Order. We offered refunds of Spring Registration Fees for Parks and Recreation Athletic participants due to the delay and uncertainty of athletic seasons. We also waived the Autauga County Board of Education’s prorated agreement fees for School Resource Officers from March 2020 to July 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic is not over, but I am pleased to tell you that the City of Prattville is still financially strong. Through our Partners of Prattville’s continued support, the rigorous financial planning within our line-item budgeting and enterprise funds, and the diligent fiscal responsibility of our Department Heads and employees, the City of Prattville has maintained our firm financial footprint.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve our community beside men and women who have fought or are still fighting for the very freedoms we celebrate today. As I listen and learn from the men and women who made the noble decision to protect our independence, I am evermore reminded that freedom is far from free. The selfless sacrifices by our service members and their families are truly honorable, and we are blessed to have a significant military presence in the City of Prattville. The patriotism exemplified in our community is next to none, especially celebrating the birth of our American Independence.
The challenges of COVID-19 and the Safer at Home Order for 4th of July Celebrations interrupted the Independence Day Celebration that we love in the City of Prattville. As a fellow Lion of the Prattville Lions Club, it was a heartbreaking decision made by our members to forego the Annual 4th of July BBQ at Pratt Park for the health and safety of our Lions as well as the community. The 4th of July parade, with its ever-increasing popularity, would have directly violated the social distancing requirements. COVID-19 brought an even broader challenge for the concert and firework celebration held at Stanley Jensen Stadium. July 4th fireworks celebrations had to receive prior approval by the State Fire Marshal for code and social distancing guidelines. After consultation with the State Fire Marshal and reviewing the logistics of the crowd at the stadium, park, and surrounding areas, the decision was made to move the fireworks celebration to a more widespread public viewing area. We are very fortunate that the Clock Tower at Home Place was available for the fireworks celebration. The State Fire Marshal has signed off on our plan for this one-time location.
We will have a different vantage point for the City of Prattville’s 31st Independence Day Fireworks Celebration. However, we have an excellent opportunity for normalcy amid a pandemic, and we will keep this family tradition alive. I can’t imagine the challenges that were faced nor how the first organized Independence Day Fireworks Celebration looked in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777. Nevertheless, I hope the City of Prattville’s Fireworks Celebration of American Independence honors those who came before us. May God Bless America and let us never forget that we are all in this together, and we are Prattville Strong!
Your public servant and friend,
Bill Gillespie, Jr. Mayor
P.S. Please continue to follow the recommended and ever-changing CDC guidelines and Alabama Department of Public Health Safer at Home Order during this event as we continue to battle COVID-19.
