Features Editor

Every 10 years the national census maps the shifts in the population.

Every 10 years, voting districts have to be redrawn to reflect that shift.

At its regular meeting Tuesday, members of the Brundidge City Council agreed that the city’s redistricting map for the next decade has been drawn to their satisfaction and they are ready to adopt that plan and move on to the opportunities and challenges ahead for the city.

The council will officially vote on the redistricting plan at the Dec. 4 meeting. At that time, the citizens of Brundidge will have an opportunity to ask questions and/or express concerns about the district lines, said Mayor Jimmy Ramage.

"Maps of the new districts will be on display at city hall until Dec. 4 and anyone who is interested is invited to come in a look at the new district lines and see whether they have been affected or not," Ramage said. "We had some movement, but not a lot. I believe this is a good plan and it will work for us."

The

mayor told the council that Greenville Glass has agreed to give the city a price on installing windows in the upper level of the old city hall building that was gutted by fire eight years ago.

The city let bids on the installation of glass windows on the bottom level of the building and stucco coverings in the openings on the upper level. The Greenville company was low bidder for the glass windows on the lower level, but there were no bids on the project for the upper level. Therefore, the council voted to install glass windows on both levels.

"We are hopeful that we will be able to get windows in on both levels before Christmas," Ramage said. "We have plans for the building and we need to get moving on the project."

The mayor and council discussed the success of the Halloween Festival held on the grounds of the Bass House Halloween night.

"We had a terrific turnout and everyone seemed to have a good time," Ramage said. "I would like to see the city expand the event next year. I think more merchants will get involved and this can be a good event for Brundidge and surrounding areas. I know I saw a lot of people here from other areas – Zion Chapel, Ariton, Troy – and we were glad to have them here."

The council discussed the opening of the BFI Landfill in the city and learned the number of tons received were above what had been projected for the first official day of operation.

The council approved a well water contract between Bob Carter and Associates, consulting engineers and the city.

The mayor announced that the city is considering the purchase of land belonging to the Brundidge Country Club to install a water well and pump house to accommodate the Wal-Mart Distribution Center which will open in Brundidge in 2003.

The mayor said the purchase must be approved by the membership of the country club. The matter will be brought before the club’s board of the directors at its next meeting.