Profile 2008
CULLMAN: Drought hits city, but growth continues
By Brittany WoodbyRelated Photos
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David Lazenby/The Cullman Times New construction, like this bank on second ave., is cropping up around Cullman.
Discussion
Add a comment on this storyThis year has been full of challenges and accomplishments for the city of Cullman. Businesses and industries have flourished despite an historic drought which kept the city’s water supply, Lake Catoma, well under full-pool for most of the year.
“The ongoing drought has raised awareness of the need for us to pursue an additional supply (of water) for our future,” Cullman Mayor Donald Green said during his State of the City address in January.
Throughout the year the city has continued work on the Duck River Dam project which Cullman officials began researching years ago as an alternative and additional water source.
“It is imperative that we develop a plan that we can all buy into,” he said. “Future economics will dictate there are things in the future that we must do together because we don’t have a choice. I believe (finding) a long term source of water is something we must do together.”
The drought has not had much adverse impact on industry in the county, with companies such as Rehau and Serta announcing multi-million-dollar expansions and new industries like auto parts supplier Yutaka and Green Structure Homes LLC setting up factories in Cullman. Retail chains Walgreens and Hobby Lobby also announced plans to open stores in 2008.
Along with the continued growth, Cullman remains among cities with the lowest unemployment rates in the state. The Cullman Economic Development Agency solicited a study of Cullman residents to determine the level of underemployment as a means of attracting industries, despite a seemingly small available workforce.
“We can show this information to potential industries and tell them this is what industries who are already here are saying,” CEDA Assistant Director Dale Greer said. “This isn’t just us bragging about our workforce.”
Of course, residents in the city are not “all work and no play,” and Cullman’s parks allow residents to exercise and play at some of the best facilities in the region.
Green said the city has made extensive strides in its parks and recreation program with the completion in 2007 of the Field of Miracles, one of only two recreational complexes in the state featuring a rubberized walking surface to promote handicap accessibility. He also said the city is celebrating success with the Wellness and Aquatic Center, which began construction in November. The $14.5 million-complex should be completed and open to the public in the spring of 2009.
Other construction projects in the city include “streetscaping” to beautify the downtown area with brick crosswalks and greenery; renovations to the old Grief Bros. property, which will house the city’s police department by summer 2008; and building a new fire station with state-of-the-art technology to ensure quicker response times to emergencies across the city.
Cullman City Schools have also seen success with increased state test scores and new technology thanks to the system’s “1:1 Laptop Initiative,” a program started in 2005 to fully integrate technology into the classroom.
“The laptop initiative is going well,” Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris said. “We’re right on target with it and so far the program’s success has exceeded our expectations.”
Harris said recent data from state testing and system statistics indicate increased attendance and increased academic and disciplinary achievements.
“Some test scores have improved, attendance has improved at the middle school and there have been fewer disciplinary problems,” she said.
- Profile 2008
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UNSUNG HERO: James Bell
James Bell — better known as “Bubba” — is a custodian at Cullman Middle School. While his job at the school is important, it’s the way he interacts with the students and other staff members that makes him an Unsung Hero.
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UNSUNG HERO: Brenda Graham
The person who nominated her said, “I was always amazed at how she cared for all the children as if they were her own. She gave love and caring, and bought countless coats, shoes, toys and clothes out of her own money.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Martha Gutherie
Martha Gutherie retired from the Parkside Middle School lunch room two years ago. Since then, she has volunteered her time at the school to help children read. Teachers and students look forward to this Unsung Hero coming every Thursday to read with the kids.
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UNSUNG HERO: Marvin Key
Marvin Key began his career in education in 1952 at Meek School in Winston County. The next year he came to Cullman County to teach at Dowling Junior High. He retired in 1988 but continued to work until the beginning of this year at age 85.
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UNSUNG HERO: Dee Lawrence
Losing both her parents at such a young age gave her an extra ability to care for other people. She makes sure that anyone who crosses her path is taken care of.
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UNSUNG HERO: Billie Sue Persall
Love is best shown when someone gives of their time and energy. Anyone who helps others when they are sick, injured or moving into a new home is a special person.
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UNSUNG HERO: Cathy Pilgrim
The person who nominated Cathy Pilgrim as an Unsung Hero described her as “one of the most unselfish, caring and generous people I know.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Grace Walsh
Grace Walsh had a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, including a quarter century teaching art history at Jefferson State Community College.
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2008 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN: Dr. Sylvia Morris
Holding two floppy-brim black hats, Dr. Sylvia Morris says proudly, “I made these hats for the community theater play, ‘Romeo & Juliet.’” Nearby her beloved cat, Jennifer, lies curled up in a soft chair, sunlight filtering through drawn curtains.
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MARIMAN POPE AND KRISTINA MATTOX: Taxidermist passing the torch
In the 45 years that Mariman Pope has been in the taxidermy trade, he’s created quite a reputation for both himself, and his business.
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