The Alexander City Outlook

By Laura Pemberton, Staff Writer

Jacksons Gap Town Council is seeking a council member for a month.

At the Sept. 11 meeting the council announced the Seat 1 vacancy and asked for recommendations from the community. A special meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, to appoint the position left vacant by Jeff Walker.

Walker was named acting mayor after Mayor Janis Cooksey Canham passed away, leaving the council 60 days to fill the Seat 1 position. If no appointment is made by the council in 60 days, the position is open to appointment by the governor.

Walker ran unopposed for Seat 1 in the recent election, but the 60-day appointment period will expire before his installation in Seat 1 Nov. 5.

“We want to abide by the law, even if it is only for a month,” Walker said.

The election results for the new council members were also signed at Tuesday’s meeting.

Other news brought before the council was the Insurance Services Office (ISO) Report dropping. The report analyzes municipal fire protection efforts with lower numbers signifying less insurance risk. Jacksons Gap’s previous rating was a 9 out of 9, and Fire Chief Joe Stroud reported Tuesday the current rating had dropped to 4 out of 9.

Walker led the meeting in applause for the fire department and was optimistic about the impact of this on future business growth for Jacksons Gap.

“I think that was holding us back,” Walker said. “I think this will help us to get some businesses located here.”

Land improvements were discussed, and the council will present survey bids at the next meeting.

The council also:

- Approved the purchase of keypads for the front and back doors of Town Hall. They hope the keypads will save on the expense of re-keying.

- Approved the payment of $800 to a vehicle owner for a burglarized car stereo. The stereo was stolen after the vehicle’s owner was arrested. The vehicle was initially stopped by Jacksons Gap police, and remained in the city limits.

- Tabled the audits to be performed by Vance and Associates LLC, of Wetumpka. The audits were contingently approved at the Aug. 14 meeting at $1,500 per year. The actual cost is $3,000 per year – totaling $6,000 for the 2010 and 2011 audits.

- Heard discussion on Candidates Day, which will be held Oct. 13. Walker said the event is to give people the community a chance to interact with the council and mayor. Vendors have been secured, but activities are still being discussed.