BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Prattville City Council approved a resolution Tuesday night declaring the city to be a Safe City for Preborn Children, and urged the citizens of Prattville to promote and defend the right to life and dignity of all innocent human beings at every stage of development.
The measure was sponsored by Council President Pro Tempore Lora Lee Boone.
It passed with full support other than an abstention by Councilman Marcus Jackson.
A large part of the crowd was present in support of the resolution, with several pastors applauding the measure after the passage, in open comments to the floor.
According to President Pro Tempore Boone, Prattville is the first such government body to pass such a resolution in the state of Alabama. She said similar resolutions have been adopted in other states such as Texas, Ohio and Mississippi which have multiple cities with similar resolutions.
Boone read the resolution which includes the following general information:
Whereas the Declaration of Independence affirms that all people are created equal, and have been endowed by their creator with unalienable rights. Chief among this is the right to life, and that the protection of these rights is and affirmative duty of federal, state and local governments. Whereas the fifth and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution provide for the protection of human life and liberty. Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States… concluded that the Constitution does not prevent a state or a city pursuant to democratic processes from expressing a preference for normal childbirth instead of abortion. And whereas state police power derives from the 10th amendment to the Constitution which gives states the powers not delegated to the United States and whereas the power to establish and enforce laws protecting the welfare, safety and health of the public is a core function of the state’s police power, and whereas this city desires to express its deep concern that all human beings at every stage of development, including before birth in the city of Prattville, should be afforded protection from acts of cruelty and be treated humanely and with dignity. That therefore be it resolved…the city hereby recognizes and declares the humanity of the preborn child and urges citizens of Prattville to encourage the humane treatment of all human beings including the preborn child as well as to promote and defend the dignity of all human life. Based upon the desire to be recognized as a safe city for preborn children, the council declares the city of Prattville to be a Safe City for Preborn children.
“I have received one negative feedback today from one person regarding this resolution,” Boone said. “But I have received positive feedback from numerous people. However, the most poignant feedback that I have received were from two voting constituents in my voting district. Their names were Matthew Parker Boone and Andrew Bruce Boon. As you can guess they are children of mine that have reached voting age. If you do not know me and you do not know my family, these are two boys who resulted from unplanned pregnancies. They were completed into my home through adoption, through transracial and transethnic adoption. If you were to see a photo of my family you will realize that my boys do not look like me or my husband, nor do they look like one another because we have so many ethnicities in our family that the census bureau is still trying to figure out my paperwork and send it back to me. Before I came tonight Matthew chose to come and hug me and tell me ‘I am so proud of you tonight for bringing this resolution. It means so much to me as your son, as your child and as a voter in your district.’”
Boone said this resolution was not her idea, but was brought to her through other citizens. “But I do support it wholeheartedly with my heart and my vote.”
In other business, Mayor Bill Gillespie addressed the council in his regular report, turning his time over to allow for information concerning a recent financial audit of the city.
The city received a “clean opinion,” meaning the city is in great financial shape. The financial audit report would have been given earlier in the year, but due to COVID, it was delayed.
The city improved its net position by a little over $13 million for the year. There are $144 million in total assets. Of that there is just over $20 million in cash, and $111 million in property, plant, equipment infrastructure. That figure includes police and fire trucks, too. Long term debt is the largest liability at about $52 million. The city reduced debt once again in 2019. Some debt was added in the project with the Industrial Road and Bridge Project. A second liability is somewhat large, being the Pension Liability, but it is 77 percent funded, which was referred to as a good funding level.
Equity is very positive for a city the size of Prattville officials said. In looking at revenue sources, Sales Tax revenue made up $26 million, Business licenses at $6 million, Sanitation Wastewater is at $8 million and then includes to a lesser degree grants, real estate and lodging.
Looking at Expenses, the council was told public safety is where the city puts its money. General fund comes in second, followed by Sanitation/Wastewater and Public Works which are about even.
2019 was a solid year for sales tax, the council was told. They council was praised on how they monitor their expenses.
“The city has a lot of great things happening in our community and we have a lot of work to do,” Mayor Gillespie said following the report.
Gillespie had high praise for the Engineering and Street Departments for working hard during Hurricane Zeta to keep roads open and accessible for the first responders. “They began working very hard Tuesday night and continued working this event. Prattville Fire and Police Departments received around 80 calls. Our departments were working and communicating as a great team for the safety of our citizens through this weather event. It is really good when you see how organizations can come together. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. This event really showed that even though we have put a lot of money into our public safety I think it has really paid off. The community came together. There were people out there helping one another. When the Good Lord throws something at you like He did recently, it takes a community together.”
Gillespie also referenced the character trait of the month, which was “Cheerfully sharing food, shelter and friendship with others.”
“I find that fitting. The recent apartment fire, and the hurricane damage we had, our community has done that,” Gillespie said. “We have done it with food, shelters and generators and so much more. With Sally and Zeta…severe weather preparedness should be at the forefront of all of our minds. The apartment fire we had…that started bringing a lot of people together. At the last council meeting I brought up that one of our citizens brought forth 25 gift cards. We have had food. I talked with Denise Brown with AICC and they are still tallying all the numbers but it looks like they will reach the goal they are looking for. We still need to be reminded that Thanksgiving is right around the corner and after that is Christmas. There will be a lot of families that still have a lot of need. I want to remind everyone of the Autauga Christmas Team. Anybody can give to that with bicycles or food or whatever it might happen to be. I am very proud of this community.”
Gillespie praised the second annual Parade of Pumpkins, saying the crowds were huge and people came from all across the state.
With COVID and so many other things going on, he said that the event was a very positive one for families. He thanked all of the teams that worked together to make it happen behind the scenes.
He also noted that Bridge Street downtown will be closed during the daytime as a crew prepares to decorate it with lights for the upcoming holiday season.
Martin Luther King Drive paving has been completed for the most part as well. “Martin Luther King is a very important community. It took a lot but the product I think is worth that wait,” Gillespie said.
Gillespie also praised Senator Clyde Chambliss for being able to provide grant funding for Prattville Intermediate’s Discovery Days program. Chambliss provided $26,710 for program to continue for the rest of the school year.
We will have more on events from the Prattville City Council meeting in future articles, including recognition of Autauga County Commissioner District 1 Sid Thompson. She stepped down from her position after many years of service, and was honored with a resolution recognizing her many accomplishments.
