Beautification committee holds planning meeting

HALEYVILLE -  A group of like-minded citizens planted some seeds in the form of ideas at the first meeting of the newly-formed Haleyville Area Beautification Committee, with the mission of sprucing up downtown in time for the city’s 9-1-1 festival the first weekend in June. 
The organizational meeting, held Tuesday, March 24, at the City Hall courtroom, brought together people from different areas than just Haleyville to plan placing colorful plants and flowers throughout downtown, as well as revamping the city’s welcome signs with improved landscaping and structures.
Due to input and excitement from members attending that organizational meeting, the first official meeting of the committee has been set for Thursday, April 9, at 6 p.m. at City Hall, for officers to be selected and bylaws discussed and/or adopted. Anyone interested in supporting these efforts is urged to be in attendance.
Mayor Dr. Ray Boshell said this committee was a major step in the bigger picture of revitalizing the city, with Zone 1 in the city’s multi-zone plan identifying downtown as both a need and an opportunity for future growth.
Will Walker brought the concept of a beautification committee to the city, with the city supporting the committee by donating $750 toward the effort, the mayor said.
This donation, combined with a $500 donation from the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce, equals $1,250 in seed money, making sure the committee’s efforts fall upon fertile soil so it can take root and grow into something productive, committee members indicated.
“A small group of like-minded individuals working together with focus and purpose can accomplish great things,” Boshell stated. “That’s exactly what this committee represents.”