new sports complex

By MICHELLE J. WILSON

If members of the Troy City Council get their way, a new sports complex will be coming to town.

Troy City Council unanimously approved Resolution 412, an application for a $25,000 Community Development Block Grant to build a sports complex.

The facility would be built at Troy State University but would be for public use. The city of Troy, Troy City School System and TSU would each pay one-third of any of the project’s remaining cost not funded by the grant.

In other business, John Parker, a member of the city’s Year 2000 Millenium Celebration Committee, addressed the council.

Parker invited all citizens of Pike County to attend a Community Thanksgiving Service at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. The service will feature John Ed Mathison, pastor of Frazier Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, and a community choir. It will be held at Trojan Arena at Sartain Hall on the Troy State University campus.

If you are interested in singing in the community choir, call Shelia Jackson, city of Troy administrative assistant at 566-0177.

Council Member Charles Meeks thanked the entire committee for their hard work and dedication.

Council members gave their unanimous support to allow Troy Mayor Jimmy C. Lunsford to provide information to Rep. Alan Boothe (D-Troy) and Sen. "Walking" Wendell Mitchell (D-Luverne) so they can draw up a bill allowing the city to clean up property with dilapidated buildings and weeds and assess the clean-up costs to the property owners.

"People in Troy are working to keep their proerty clean." Lunsford said. "Much of the problem is with absentee land owners."

Councilman Jason A. Reeves said the boady’s action should serve as a notice to property owners to clean up their land.

The council approved an off premise beer license application for Murphy Oil, which is located in front of the Wal-Mart Supercenter. The license allows customers to buy beer and wine at the convenience store and consume it off the premisis, said Alton Starling, city clerk and treasurer.

Council President Johnny Witherington addressed complaints the city has received about a new business in Troy – Body Exchange located on University Avenue.

He asked Starling to investigate the business and report his findings.

According to the report. the Body Exchange sells "lingerie and novelty items." It sells "adult novelty items" in a back room for adults only and employees check identification before allowing entrance.

Starling said he consulted attornies with the Alabama League of Municipalities who said other cities in the state had attempted to regulate these types of businesses, but their rules were declared unconstitutional in court.

"A good number of the public is concerned about this business and we are as well," Withrington said.

Lunsford asked Troy Police Chief Anthony Everage to have police officer watch the area for increased crime or "anything objectionable to the health and welfare of the community."

Council approved the following appointments:

· Jackie Patterson to the Board of Adjustments and Appeals for a three-year term

· Billy Gibson and Edward Barnett to the Health Care Authority for four-year terms

· Susan Murphree to the Library Board for a four-year term

· Timothy Eakes to the Office Park Medical Clinic Board for a six-year term

In his comments, Lunsford recognized members of Boy Scout Troop Pack 41 Den 9, who attended the meeting.