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City agrees to apply for new park grant The Jackson City Council agreed to apply for a $30,000 grant to help with the cost of building a new city park on property adjacent to the New Era softball fields during its regular meeting, Tuesday, April 24. Councilman Robert Marks reported that the Park and Recreation Committee had applied for a grant from Hamburger Helper, which awards at least one $15,000 grant per month for such projects. The council approved a measure to apply for the maximum amount of $30,000. "They do this as a way to give back to communities," said Marks. "The amount awarded is based on the number of responses from the public the company receives. Those who wish to post there responses can do so online at www.myhometownhelper.com." Representatives from the company chosen by the Pine City Park Committee to build the park will be in Jackson May 8 to get input on what local residents want. They will visit schools and talk with children about what type of a play area they would like to have. Alternative fuel production to be considered Councilman Eddie Huggins reported that he and Mayor Richard Long had attended the Alabama League of Municipalities meeting in Montgomery earlier and had taken great interest in an alternative fuel production project that has been in place in Daphne for some time now. "The city has collection sites for used cooking oil and grease, which it converts into bio-fuel to be used as a fuel source for city vehicles," he said. "Both businesses and residences participate in the recycling program, which started in a garage and grew to the point where now they have three 10,000-gallon tanks to complete the conversion process. The program has seen great success and has cut the number of sewer clogs and spills dramatically. I believe Jackson should investigate the possibility of implementing such a program." Mayor Long agreed. "I think we should begin by finding out the costs involved in implementing a similar program," he said. "Surprisingly, the bulk of the fuel the city recycles for its own use comes from residential participation. There are cabinets placed at a number of locations throughout the city where people can leave their plastic containers of oil and grease and take empties back home for future use." Funding sought for Clarke County Wireless project Danny D'Andrea, representing Clarke County Wireless, a country-wide wireless Internet initiative, addressed the council. D'Andrea explained that an effort is being made to provide high-speed wireless Internet service to the entire county utilizing WiMAX technology, which uses small antennas to serve large areas. He said the project will be completed in three phases, the first of which requires a feasibility study at a cost of $43,000. "Based on population and square miles, we are asking all five municipalities in the county to pay a portion of the cost for this study," he told the council. "Thanks to some businesses who donated a portion of the funds, Jackson's share will be $11,340." D'Andrea said once the backbone of the project is completed, the system will expand from the municipalities outward into the outlying areas. The cost for residential service, after a one-time hook-up fee, will be about $15 per month. Businesses will pay $40 per month. The money will be put back into the community via the Clarke County Community Foundation, which is overseeing the project. The council will consider the request at its next meeting, May 8. In other business: *Police Chief Charles Burge said the steel for the tower at the new police station has arrived and the tower should be erected next week. *Jackson Fire Department Assistant Chief Bobby Brooks reported that the department has been invited to the sawmill reopened by Gulf Lumber Company to inspect fire safety improvements it has made at the facility. *A license for the off-premises sale of beer was approved for Heather's Tobacco Shop located in the strip mall complex at 114- A East Cedar Street. *A restaurant alcohol license for Nolasco's was approved. *A Sales tax holiday for the first weekend in August was approved. A seminar concerning this matter will be conducted at Jackson City Hall June 5 at 9 a.m. *A resolution was passed to apply for a $90,000 grant for improvements to the parking lot and fencing at the William E. Stewart Airport.
*A public hearing was set for May 8 at 5:45 p.m. for the vacation of a portion of Elm Street.
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