30 years ago in CCN history
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By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Looking back at the 30-year history of “The Coosa County News,” the July 8, 1993, edition highlighted student achievements in athletics and 4-H, as well as family reunions and cost increases for Rockford Utilities.
It was noted that the county’s Junior 4-H Wildlife Judging Team took third place in the statewide competition at Auburn University. Members of the Junior Team included April Justice, Will Neighbors, Benjamin Cordner, and Jared Natali, with three of the members participating for the first time that year.
Also in 4-H news at the time, four Coosa County Senior 4-H members were noted as going to the State 4-H Congress later in July after having won honors at the District 4-H Roundup in Auburn.
Seniors who took top honors were Monica Brown, Daphine Justice, Phillip Neighbors, and James Talton.
That week’s edition 30 years ago also reported that the Goodwater Pride in Action Committee had announced plans to hold its thirteenth annual Fall Festival on September 25 that year. The day’s festivities were to include concessions, games, entertainment, and arts and crafts.
Also in local news, it was reported that the Hardy family held its first reunion in Coosa County, with it being noted that Spencer Hardy of Columbus, Georgia; the son of Tilman J. and Kellie Mae Hardy; had recently hosted the first family reunion for the descendants of the late John and Susie Hardy.
The reunion was held at the home of Tilman Jr. and Kellie Mae Hardy, with an estimated attendance of about 200 people. It was noted that the family had a wonderful time and great fellowship with each other and that Tilman Hardy Jr. had already given his permission to do it again the following year.
Outside of Coosa County, that edition also reported that the ninetieth annual Horn family reunion was scheduled to be held July 18 in Glenwood in Crenshaw County. That family reunion was noted to be one of the oldest consecutive family gatherings held in the state of Alabama, and the Horn Shelter in Crenshaw County had been the annual landmark site for the reunion since 1903.
In local meeting coverage, that edition from three decades ago reported on the Rockford Gas, Water and Sewer Board being briefed on projected cost increases for 1993-1994.
A representative with the Municipal Gas Authority had attended the meeting and provided cost analysis forecasts for the next fiscal year.
At that time it was noted that “fixed costs are projected to increase by approximately 15%, while variable costs are projected to increase by 29%.” It further stated that the projected increase in variable costs was because of “the cost of gas on the spot market.”
The Municipal Gas Authority representative, Michael Nieman, was quoted as stating at the meeting, “Gas is trading like gold on the market. The price has been bouncing from $1.95 to $2.66 per unit.”
It was noted that he told the board it should expect to see an increased cost of operations in the neighborhood of $10,000 the following year. He reportedly told the board that it could not absorb the cost and would have to increase the revenue to the system.
Then Board Chair Larry Carden noted that a $10,000 increase in costs spread out over 130 customers “is going to have an impact,” adding that the board would have to pass the costs on to its customers. The board went on to discuss the possible options, “none of which were acceptable to board members,” with the board ultimately deciding to call a special meeting at a later date to review options provided by Nieman.
See other highlights of 30 years of “The Coosa County News” periodically in future editions throughout the year as we continue to celebrate three decades of dedicated local news coverage, honoring “The Coosa County News” first being published May 20, 1992.