The baseball and softball playing population of Troy will have shirts on their backs for the April 5 opening day now that the Troy City Council approved a bid from Trojan Graphics for uniforms Tuesday night. The company underbid Jab's Sporting Goods by about 10 cents per shirt and was unanimously endorsed by the city council upon the recommendation of Dan Smith, Director of the Troy Recreation Department.

With Jason Reeves absent and Jose Henderson tardy, the council also authorized the assessment and collection of fees for the destruction of two buildings judged to be in violation of the dilapidated buildings ordinance. The owners of those properties will be expected to pay for the city's actions.

In addition, the council approved the award of a bid to S.A. Graham Company in Brundidge for repairs to a street pumping station damaged by water and erosion. Grant money will pay for the repairs and the council unanimously selected S.A. Graham out of 12 bidders on the project.

Councilman Charles Meeks reminded residents of District 2 that this month is a special cleanup month.

&uot;Put your items out, whether it's tree trunks or refrigerators,&uot; he said. &uot;You can call the public works folks to come and pick them up by calling 566-1133 and there's no charge for it.&uot;

In other business:

When the citizens of Iraq look up, they may see a plane with the name of a small Alabama town raining down death upon them. According to City Councilman John Witherington, the Alabama Air National Guard has activated the F-16 from the 187th Fighter Wing named after the City of Troy. Crew Chief Mike Rotton is from the town of High Ridge, near Union Springs, and the City of Troy is piloted by Len Borowski.

&uot;The bombs under the wings of the City of Troy could be falling within two weeks,&uot; said Witherington.