By By Arthur McLean Managing Editor
The Atmore City Council unanimously voted to approve the Ladies of Essence Mardi Gras parade Monday.
With the approval, the annual parade has a permit to once again roll down city streets.
The parade is scheduled for Feb. 21 at noon. Residents are encouraged participate in the parade. The Atmore Advance will have more coverage of the parade in future issues.
Brenda Walker, one of the parade's organizers, said the parade will take its normal route through downtown Atmore and finish at Houston Avery park.
While residents are encouraged to participate, certain types of vehicles will not be allowed in the parade.
In other business, the council denied a transient business permit to Serendipity Uniforms for temporary sales in the city.
Mayor Howard Shell said the company would have an advantage in competing with a local uniform supplier.
"These people have an advantage because they don't have a building, pay ad valorem taxes; they don't have anything that contributes to the community," Shell said.
Shell said the city was not able to confirm whether or not the company had paid sales taxes during previous sales visits to the area.
Councilman John Gerrard made the motion to deny the permit. It carried unanimously.
The council approved extending the city's agreement with Alatax to collecting on overdue sales tax debt. Alatax already handles the town's normal collection of sales taxes.
It also approved disposing of several strings of old Christmas lights that are believed to be in disrepair and have not been used in city Christmas decorations for the past two years.
Coming in the next council meeting, the council is expected to consider the expired terms of the following committee members: Robert Earl Godwin and Ray Bolden on the Airport Committee, Bob Jones and Tommy Moore on the Industrial Development Committee, and Mark Manning on the Medical Clinic Board.
The council is also expected to hear a presentation on a $500,000 grant for housing rehabilitation in Atmore.
Arthur McLean can be reached at 368-2123 or newsroom@atmoreadvance.com