Published: March 29, 2008 07:41 pm            

GOOD HOPE: Town has improvements planned

When sitting down to discuss the accomplishments of the town of Good Hope over the last year, Mayor Gordon Dunagan said many of the town’s projects will take place in 2008.

The Town Council passed a resolution in the fall to borrow up to $200,000 for capital improvements. The funds will be used for road work, but the line of credit can be extended for other projects such as a new pavilion and butterfly garden at Hathcock Park.

The line of credit was set up at Premier Bank at 5 percent interest. The debt must be paid within one year after completion of the capital improvement.

Hathcock Park was named after Wallace and Minnie Hathcock who donated the land for the park. In return, the town promised to provide an area for local farmers to sell their produce free of charge.

“At this pavilion, the farmers will be allowed to bring fruits and vegetables from the farm, watermelons, green beans, and set up at this pavilion at no charge and sell their vegetables,” he said.

Chase Ehr, an Eagle Scout, has planned a garden that will attract butterflies. The garden will be added in the front of the park where red picnic tables are currently located.

“It is for the people of Cullman County. That is why we want to build a pavilion down there,” he said.

Capital improvement funds will primarily be used to repair and resurface seven roads in the town of Good Hope including Cupp, Municipal Park, Allred, Schaffel and Mize Roads; Mayfair Lane and Willow Springs Drive for a cost of $192,200.

The bid was awarded to the only bidder: Good Hope Contracting Company.

The town recently completed widening Teem Road. Cullman County West Side Road Department did the work, said Dunagan. The county provided the equipment, and the town paid for the labor.

“They did a great job,” said the mayor.

Good Hope Contracting Company paved the road. It put 2 inches of asphalt down.

Many of the town’s roads are striped to make the roads safer.

“Most of the roads are wide enough to stripe,” said Dunagan.

Capital improvement money was also set aside to stripe Teem Road, Allred Road, Cupp Road and Municpal Park Road.

Another project the town completed this past year was the removal of tree limbs and brush on various road right-of-ways. Marshall’s Tree Service performed the work with the town’s help.

A large construction project is under way in the town of Good Hope — the building of Daystar Church off of Beech Grove Road. Council members voted during their September council meeting to name the road leading to the church Daystar Drive. Dunagan provided a tour of the church site pointing out a scenic vista.

Other town news included a three percent pay raise for employees, and Cullman County School Superintendent Hank Allen told council members at the November meeting the school board was planning to add a softball field at the high school and a road from the back of the campus to the field. He said he would get back to board members with details in January.

The mayor is proud of the town’s three parks: Municipal Park which is about four years old, Family Park on Day Gap Road and Hathcock Park.

Municipal Park and Family Parks are paid for, said Dunagan.

Family Park has two ball fields and a playground area.

“It’s a good park,” said the mayor. “It’s a family atmosphere.”

Speaking of Hathcock Park City Clerk Joanner Jones said, “The Hathcocks are one of the original old families of Good Hope.”

In addition to the homestead, the family had a grist mill, a cotton gin and a store.

The Hathcocks would take 1,200 pounds of loose cotton and bring it to the gin to remove the seed creating a 500 pound bale of pure cotton, said Dunagan.

“The Hathcocks would take seed from the cotton as payment for ginning the cotton and then they would take the cotton seed and make feed for mules and horses,” said Dunagan.

“Hathcock Park was at one time the hub of the town of Good Hope,” said Dunagan.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.