Page 6A Tuesday, May 20, 2014 JACKSONVILLE City: Funds lacking to convert former Kitty Stone campus BY LAURA GADDY [email protected] JA C K S O N VI L L E — The likelihood that Kitty Stone Elementary School will be converted to a middle school diminished at a Monday meeting. Jacksonville school and city officials have agreed to build a new elementary school near George Douthit Drive, meaning the existing school will no longer occupy its campus near the heart of town. School officials had previously discussed converting the Kitty Stone building to a middle school, but learned at a Monday meeting that the city can’t afford to pay for the $2.6 million project. “I’d love to see the middle school idea in Jacksonville, but money is an issue,” said Council President Mark Jones. “I just can’t commit to that anytime soon.” Middle school-aged students currently attend Kitty Stone in the sixth grade, and Jacksonville High School in the seventh and eighth grades. The hour-long meeting was held between the Jacksonville City Council and the Jacksonville City School Board to discuss the plans to build a new elementary school, as well as the possibility of building a new middle school. School and city officials sat together a table at the front of the room while Superintendent Jon Paul Campbell and architect Walter McKee presented the school plans, noting that they are ready to begin designing the new school. Campbell and School Board President Mike Poe said it was important to share their progress with the council before moving forward so the system officials will know how to design the new school. “We were pleasantly surprised when we got the cost figures to repurpose Kitty Stone,” said Board President Mike Poe. “We don’t have the funds and we wanted to come to the council to see if they felt like it was feasible.” Jones, Councilman Truman Norred and Mayor WIND Continued from Page 1A on proposed state wind farm regulations that failed to become law this spring. “It’s a dead issue,” Cobb said. The only thing the commissioners should be discussing is the road, Cobb said, because that’s the only thing they have any authority to decide. Since news came out in March that a wind turbine project was proposed for the county, commission meetings have been packed with people interested in the project, some for, some against and some who had yet to decide. They have spoken at every meeting, including asking dozens of questions at the end. Monday’s meeting drew about 50 people including some newcomers who spoke about the mountain’s potential of having Native American burial grounds. Rita Huckeba, a member of a Cherokee group in Haralson and Polk counties in Georgia, said she lived at the bottom of the mountain and was not in favor of the project for a number of reasons including the potential closing of the road. She brought along Sharon Jackson, an elder in the Central Alabama Native American Council and a Creek, who spoke to the commission about burial mounds she believes exist on the mountain. A state law passed in 2010 protecting Native American burial grounds makes it a felony to knowingly dig into a burial ground or any kind of gravesite, Jackson told the commissioners. Jackson said an archeological survey should be done on the property before any construction. Johnny Smith said the city already has too many financial commitments to help, saying that Jacksonville must complete a planned public safety complex before funding any other developments. The City Council in April 2013 borrowed $4 million for the new school and in December it allocated $170,000 to the schools to help the system pay for the project. The city is also planning to spend about $10 million on the public safety complex. Smith said at the meeting that Jacksonville city officials learned last week the city’s water treatment plant is in need of a costly overhaul. Poe said the information gave the school board the information it needs to move forward with the design phase, which will take place this summer. With input from teachers, architects and project managers, he said the system will likely situate the new school on the property so that a middle school can be added to it later on. “If we’re not going to repurpose Kitty Stone, we should design this building so a middle school can be build there,” Poe said. The school board held a regularly scheduled meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, about an hour-and-a-half before the joint meeting with the City Council began. During the regularly scheduled meeting the board: • Heard from Alabama Power Company employee Scott Exum, who announced that the power company is giving the school system $1,000 to support its technology program. • Approved April 2015 travel plans for the Jacksonville High School band. • Approved the superintendent’s personnel recommendations, which included moving Yvonne Swift from her position as a vice principal at the high school to a position as a vice principal at Kitty Stone. • Scheduled the next meeting for Monday, June 16. Robin Saiz, developer for Nations Energy Solutions, said an archeological survey is part of the normal process in choosing a location for turbines. “Every wind farm that I know of and can attest to, goes through an archeological study,” Saiz said. If archeological artifacts are found, the company would work around them when building, he said. In meetings since the project plans came to light, the commissioners have allowed residents to speak at the end of the meeting. On Monday, they adjourned without inviting public comments. In other business the commission: • Declared a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria and a 1999 Chevy Tahoe surplus property that can be disposed of or sold. • Supported placing a FedEx drop box at the Cleburne County Courthouse. • Approved renaming a portion of County Road 205 north of its intersection with County Road 296 making it a continuation of County Road 296. • Approved allocating $5,967 to Fruithurst Elementary School for the purchase of a new security system for the entrance including new doors, intercoms and cameras. • Approved paying a stipend of $20 per day to inmates working on the maintenance and upkeep of county buildings for meals while they work. • Declared May 2014 Older Americans Month in Cleburne County. • Heard that a luncheon to thank everyone involved in the construction at the new Rosewood Community Center at 25734 County Road 49 will be held at noon Tuesday at the center. The Anniston Star REGION/OBITUARIES D OBITUARIES d FUNERALS TODAY loved husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be loved and missed by all. Rebecca Greer, 12 p.m., First United Methodist Church of Piedmont Online condolences made at www.graybrown service.com Betty Frances Hyatt, 2 p.m., Dryden Funeral Home Chapel Joshua Joy Morris, 2 p.m., Perry Funeral Home Chapel George Mickle “Mickey” Young, 3 p.m., Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel JONES Talladega - Lucille H. Jones, 96, passed away May 18, 2014, at Citizens BMC. Terry’s Metropolitan Mortuary will announce. Visit www.terrysmortuary.com. MADDOX BOYD Ohatchee - A Private Service for Mrs. Wynne Morris Boyd, 69, of Ohatchee will be held at a later date. Mrs. Boyd passed away on May 18, 2014. Mrs. Boyd is preceded in death by her parents, Red and Hazel Morris. Mrs. Boyd is survived by her husband, James M. Boyd; her daughter, Jan Cobb and her husband, Mike; a son, Jim Boyd and his wife, Duana; grandchildren, Drake Cobb, Caitlin Boyd, and Devan Cobb; a great granddaughter, Everleigh Cobb; a sister, Marie Greene and her husband, Hugh; and a niece, Brandon Rodriguez. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.klbrownmemorychapel.com. children, Shanna Brooke Roszell, Nikki Shea Cromer, Adyson Miranda Betz, Caleb James Cromer, Alexander Ian Meraz, Joseph Salome Meraz, Mario Jesus Meraz, Dakota Colby Doss, Alisha Nicole Smith, Amanda Elizabeth O’Dell, Nicholas Cole O’Dell, Jakob Noah O’Dell, Morgan Ashley Rochester, Matthew Hunter O’Dell, Cheyenne Annette Cunningham, and Victoria Hope Ingram; great- grandchildren, Trenton Allen Roszell and Briggs Cannon Meraz. Dansby Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Cromer Family. K.L. Brown Memory Chapel 620 Golden Springs Road Anniston, AL 36207 (256) 231-2334 CHAPPELL Centre - Service for Virginia Chappell, 74, was held Sunday, May 18, 2014, 3 p.m at Perry GANN Funeral Home Chapel. Jacksonville - Kenneth Burial was in Unity Ce- Lee (Gooney) Gann, Sr., metery. 63, died Sunday, May 18, 2014, at Regional Medical Center in Anniston. He is survived by his wife, Loretta Gann, of Jacksonville; three sons, Lee (Lora) Gann, Michael Gann and David Gann, all of Jacksonville; two grandchildren, Victoria Gann and Ashlie Gann, both of Jacksonville; a sister, Gail (Alvin) Weldon of Weaver; a brother, Grover Lee (Belinda) Gann, Jr., of Piedmont and several CROMER nieces and nephews. A lifelong resident of Piedmont Calhoun County, KenBarbara Ann Cromer passed away on Mon- neth attended Wellborn day, May 19, 2014, at her High School. A beloved husband, father, hard residence. She was born in Cal- worker, PaPa Daddy and houn County to Thomas friend, Kenneth loved Edward and Farris Eve- Alabama football, fishlyn Wood Bryan and, ex- ing and his dogs. He was cept for 8 months, lived a former employee with her life in Calhoun the City of Jacksonville County. She was a dis- and Calhoun Meter patcher for the City of Company. Kenneth was precedPiedmont Police Departed in death by his parment and member of Nances Creek Congrega- ents, Grover and Frances Gann; two brothers, Hotional Holiness Church. Funeral Service will ward (Bob) Gann and be Wednesday, May 21, Phillip DeWayne Gann at 11 a.m. from Dansby and a sister, Carolyn Heritage Chapel with Gann Houck. A celebration of life burial in Nances Creek service will be held at a Cemetery. Visitation will be today, May 20, 2014 later time. K.L.Brown Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. at the fuand Cremation Center neral home. The Revs. 322 Nisbet Street, NW Wayne Smith and Floyd Jacksonville, AL 36265 Willis will officiate. 256.435.7042 Pallbearers will be Aaron Ponder, Hugh Ponder, Nathan Johnson, GILLEY Don Glover, Steven TidWoodland - Service well, and Phillip Winkle. for Billey Ray Gilley will Honorary Pallbearers be held Wednesday 3 will be members of the p.m. at Rainwater FunerPiedmont Police Depart- al Home. Family will rement, Rescue Squad and ceive friends today at the Fire Department. funeral home 4 - 8 p.m. Survivors include her husband, Ronald Cromer; son, Thomas Mason GREER Cromer (Kimberly MiPiedmont - Rebecca chelle); 3 daughters, Feli- Greer passed away Suncia Diane Meraz (Roge- day morning, May 18, lio), Cassie Lynette 2014, at her home in O’Dell (Nickey), and Ka- Piedmont. tresa Dawn Ingram (JarShe is survived by her rod); brother, James Earl sister, Gerry Wood, of Bryan; sisters, Dean Bee- Lindale, Ga. and her cham, Lucy Bryan, and brother, Roger Greer, of Sally Beecham; grand- San Francisco, Calif. Rebecca’s church home is First United Methodist Church of Piedmont. The family will receive visitors from 10 12 p.m. on today, May 20, 2014, with the service following the visitation at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ron McKay officiating and Thompson Funeral Home in charge. Rebecca will be laid to rest in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Rome, Ga. next to her father, Vaudry Deolia Greer and her mother Ada Vandiver Smith Greer. www.thompsonfuneralhomepiedmont.com HYATT Heflin - Betty Frances Hyatt, 70, died Saturday, May 17, 2014, at her residence. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m.today May 20, 2014, at Dryden Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Bethlehem Cemetery. Visitation will be today, May 20, 2014, from 12 until 2 p.m. Dryden Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include husband, Ralph Hyatt,of Heflin; daughters Machelle Strickland, Lisa Whitman and Tammy Hyatt, all of Heflin; son, Mark Hyatt, of Heflin; sister, Judy Masters, of Heflin; brother, Ray Rollins, of Heflin; 12grandchildren; 22 greatgrandchildren. Pallbearers will be Chad Hyatt, Tyson Kaylor, Dakota Strickland Blake Strickland, Brandon Lambert, Dustin Lambert, and Cheyenne Lambert. Mrs Hyatt was a native and lifelong resident of Cleburne County. Dryden Funeral Home 256-463-2287 Visit our website: drydenfuneralhome.com JOHNSON Jacksonville - Funeral service for Jerry Dale Johnson, 72, of Jacksonville, will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Gray Brown-Service Mortuary with the Rev. Jack Morgan officiating. Burial will follow at the Friendship Baptist cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday night at the funeral home. Mr. Johnson died Sunday at his residence. Survivors include his wife, Millie Johnson; Son, Jerry “Dale” Johnson Jr.; Stepsons, Marion Curtis Hall (Misti), Ronald James Hall, and Michael Richard Hall (LaRee), all of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Emily Johnson, Troy Dale Johnson (Cheyenne), Mark Norris, Michael Hall Jr, Justin, Alex, Gabriel, Abygail, Arron, and Lydia Hall; and great grandchildren, Ian Johnson, Kaylie and Gavin Hall. Mr. Johnson is preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Audrey Shew Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a member of Friendship Baptist and visited Genesis Worship Center with his family. He was a be- Anniston - Mrs. Pearl Marie Maddox, 59, passed away on May 16, 2014 at Regional Medical Center in Anniston. She is survived by her children, Alicia Brand (Tim), Christina Presley (Jason), James Richard Lloyd (Jennifer) and Jake Kovac (Tara); Grandchildren, Nate and Abby Kovac, Zachary Owens and Cole and Harlie Brand; Sisters, Shelia Coffee (Bobby), Donna Tomlin, Deena Conerly (Alan) and Trudy Coffee (George); Brother, Eli Lloyd (Julia); niece and nephew, Beth Thomason (Chris) and Josh Coffee. She is preceded in death by her parents, Horace and Alicia Lloyd. Mrs. Maddox was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt who will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Online condolences made at www.graybrownservice.com. MORRIS Cedar Bluff - Service for Joshua Joy Morris, 20, will be 2 p.m. today at Perry Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation one hour prior to service. RAY Centre - Service for Ricky Ray, 54, will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Grove Baptist Church, burial will follow in Cherokee Memory Gardens. SPINKS Anniston - Service for Curtis Lamar Spinks, 56, will be announced by Anniston Funeral Services. Mr. Spinks passed away on May 19, 2014, at RMC. YOUNG Roanoke - Service for George Mickle “Mickey” Young, 58, will be today at 3 p.m. from Quattlebaum Funeral Chapel with burial at Union Hill Church Cemetery. Anniston Star Obituary Policy It is the policy of The Anniston Star to publish obituaries of local residents and former local residents. Obituaries must be submitted by funeral homes. Obituaries are not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. Death notices up to eight lines of type are published at no charge. Death notices can include the deceased person’s name, age, address, date of death, time and place of services, and the funeral home in charge of arrangements. This information must be submitted to The Star by a funeral home. Obituaries published in The Anniston Star are also published on The Anniston Star Online at no additional charge. Photographs are accepted for publication. Fees for obituaries in The Star are billed directly to the funeral homes. Payment is not accepted from family members or friends of the deceased. The Star reserves the right to edit obituaries. In most instances the family’s content and style will be published in the form submitted to us. There are no limits on numbers of survivors, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, or any other information the family wants included, so long as good taste and judgment prevail.