Dear Editor,

As many might have noticed, the J.M. “Mac” Mays Memorial Highway signs on Highway 21, from the cemetery to I65 exit have been removed. For six years or more, they have designated this portion of the highway as a memorial to my father.

Instead of going into all the details of this “mix-up” or mis-communication, I want to say: My father, “Mac” Mays while in the Alabama Legislature, pushed for the four laning of this stretch of highway. He, along with the influence of Albert Brewer, governor of Alabama at this time, were responsible for the directive to the Department of Transportation to expedite this project, circa 1970.

The archives of The Atmore Advance will verify this fact. So even though there will be no signs to signify this accomplishment, his signs are on I65, from the Flomaton exit to the Atmore exit, which will testify to his hard work to better Atmore and its infrastructure.

Also according to the records of Acts of Alabama, 1967, he was responsible for the incorporation of the tract of land on which the Industrial Park of Atmore is now situated.

Robert Mays

Atmore