Features Editor

.Albert Hastey and Jamie Bullock were honored by the Brundidge Business Association last night when they were named the 2001 Man and Woman of the Year.

In making the presentation, Lamar Steed, chairman of the nominating committee, said both honorees have made significant contributions to the Brundidge community as well as the business sector.

Hastey was a fixture on Main Street

merchant in Brundidge from 1947 until 1983. An astute and respected business man, Hastey only lost 2 percent of what was owed to him when he retired.

During the time he was running a successful general mercantile business, he was also a driving force in the community. He was president of the Brundidge Chamber of Commerce and served in that capacity for the first four years of the organization.

Hastey was instrumental in bringing the Fruit of the Loom factory to Brundidge – saving many jobs for area residents – after Regal Gloves closed its doors.

He was involved in the building of the Brundidge Airport and in recruiting Recipe Foods.

For 18 years, Hastey was an active Rotarian and is a dedicated member of the American Legion.

Hastey has served on the board of directors of First National Bank of Brundidge since 1963. He is a member of Salem Baptist Church.

Most of his retirement time is spent fishing, playing golf with his wife, Susie, and working with American Beauties – just one variety of nearly 200 roses in his garden.

Mrs. Bullock, owns and operates Brundidge Florist and has been involved in the floral arts business in Brundidge for 40 years.

She started to work at the florist in 1962 and bought the business

20 years later. In 1999, the business was expanded with the purchase of the City Market building next door.

As a business

owner, Mrs. Bullock is actively involved with the Brundidge Business Association and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

She has been recognized by the Brundidge Rotary Club as an outstanding business woman

by being named the employer of the year, the business of the year, the business of the month and employer of the month.

Mrs. Bullock is a member of the Brundidge Lions Club and is an active member of her church, Richland Baptist, where she has held leadership positions and teaches the children on Wednesday nights and works with the senior citizens.

When she’s not working,

Mrs. Bullock enjoys fishing, going to auctions and promoting the community where she and her husband, Leon, live and work.

Mayor Jimmy Ramage address the BBA membership and guests and told them the state of the City of Brundidge is very good.

"If Brundidge were stock, your broker would put out a ‘buy’ order," the mayor said. "In the past, we would have been a ‘hold’ or ‘sale.’ But, we have weathered the storm of NAFTA.

"However, we didn’t improve out position overnight, we owe a great debt to our ancestors. They decided that the city should own its electric department and participate in the Alabama Electric Cooperative. They also joined to develop the Southeast Alabama Gas District with 13 other cities in south Alabama."

Without those decisions, Brundidge would not be in the enviable position of preparedness that it is today.

"Being prepared has made it possible for us to have the year we are enjoying and next year will be better and, each year, we will see improvements in our economy We will be adding $6 million in infrastructure with the city’s match of $1. 8 million. This will not be counting the millions that Carter Brothers, Southern Classics and Wal-Mart have spent or will spend in new buildings and equipment."

With the opening of a Subtitle D landfill by BFI, in 2001 and greater possibilities ahead for that industry, Ramage said the future for Brundidge is bright.

But, the mayor challenged his community to rally behind its school system and be willing to do whatever is necessary to provide its youth with the quality of education they deserve.

"This is not an option; it must be done, " Ramage said. "If we fail our school, the city will never see the full potential possible with the new businesses coming to Brundidge."