Keep Opelika Beautiful is proud to announce an addition to the Adopt-A-Mile program. Afni, located at 1000 Jeter Avenue, has adopted the mile along Jeter Avenue in front of their business.

Opening in January 2001, Afni employs over 500 employees, making it a top employer in Opelika. Afni’s Human Resource Manager, Kirstin Willis says “Through community involvement, we are able to give back to the area we all live and work, build a trust and partnership amongst our neighboring businesses and leadership and hope to maintain a lasting foundation to continue and grow our own organization.” The company is also invovled in March of Dimes, Red Cross, LifeSouth and assist with toy drives and food drives during the holiday season.

Afni joins several other civic clubs and organizations in the Adopt-A-Mile program.  It is a litter prevention program sponsored by Keep Opelika Beautiful, Inc. in the City of Opelika to attract public involvement in picking up litter along the streets. Sponsors of the program agree to a minimum of four cleanups over a period of one year, with one of them coinciding with Keep Opelika Beautiful’s Citywide Cleanup.

For more information on Keep Opelika Beautiful’s Adopt-A-Mile program, please call (334) 749-4970.

Got this note from james Dickey…  I am with the Birmingham Vet Center which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. I will be bringing the Mobile Vet Center (a 38 foot Motor Coach) to Opelika the 5th March 2010 for an Outreach event. We will set up in the Home Depot parking lot at the Tiger Town Shopping Center, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. and would appreciate your assistance in announcing our visit. The goal of the Vet Center program is to provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to eligible veterans in order to help them make a satisfying post war readjustment to civilian life. Eligible veterans are those who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia, Grenada, Panama, Bosnia, The Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Kuwait,Iraq and Sexual Trauma Survivors of all eras. The family members of all veterans listed are eligible for Vet Center services as well. Readjustment counseling services include individual counseling; group counseling; marital and family counseling; bereavement counseling; alcohol/drug assessments and referral; and sexual trauma counseling and referral.

Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller sent along this email this afternoon regarding the funeral of Col Howard…

On behalf of the citizens of Opelika and the City of Opelika it was my honor to attend the memorial service and burial of Colonel (R) Robert Lewis Howard today.  The service was held at Memorial Chapel on FT. Meyer, Virginia and then the body was placed on a caisson with one riderless horse to the burial site not far from the Tomb of the Unknown in Arlington National Cemetery.  As most of you know Col. Howard was born in Opelika on July 11, 1939 and died on December 23, 2009.  Most believe he was the most decorated soldier of the modern era.  Many Medal of Honor soldiers attended his service and two of them, Gary Littrell and Mike Thornton offered a eulogy for Col. Howard.   It was, in my opinion, a most appropriate service for this great American and hero.  Of course there was a 21 gun salute, Army Band….they did the whole thing…  I’m not sure they do that for all burials at Arlington, but I don’t know.  The Rt. Rev’d Frank M. Gentsch, Jr., Bishop Suffragan, Anglican Diocese of the Chesapeake was the Officiant and mentioned in his remarks that Bob was born in Opelika, Alabama….and, bless the Bishop’s heart, pronounced Opelika correctly.
 
I did get to speak to his son, Sgt. Bob Howard after the service at Arlington.  He remembered me from the service last week at Ft. Benning and expressed his appreication for me being there.  I also spoke with Gen. Repass and he introduced me to his boss who is a three star but I can’t remember his name.  Gen. Repass is only a two star.  There is no question Bob Howard was held in very high regard and esteem for his bravery.  There was a lot of brass present.
 
Bob Howard was a brave and gallant soldier who distinguished himself on many occasions.  As a Medal of Honor receipent he brought great honor to his family, Opelika and most importantly, to the United States of America.  He was a real hero and may he rest in peace.
 
Gary

For those that may not know the story of Colonel Howard, here’s a quick Bio…

Retired Col. Robert Lewis Howard died on December 23 around noon at a hospital in Waco, Texas. He was battling with pancreatic cancer and was admitted in the hospital for three weeks before his death.

Col. Robert Lewis Howard �” An Account of his Military Services

Robert Lewis Howard joined U.S. army at Alabama in 1956 and retired from the army as a colonel in 1992. He was awarded with nation’s most esteemed award, Medal of Honor, for his services during the Vietnam War. Col. Robert L. Howard was nominated three times for this award.

In 1967, Sergeant First Class Howard was leading a platoon in Laos. While the main enemy body was destroyed, Howard’s team stumbled upon four Vietnamese troopers. His team was attacked by heavy machine guns. Howard targeted the machine gun occupant and killed him. Moments later, a second machine gun opened its fire on Howard’s team. He crawled towards it and destroyed it by throwing a hand grenade towards the machine gun. The enemy didn’t quit and another Vietnamese trooper took over the machine gun. Howard stood up in the open fire and targeted the gun with a light weapon. He helped the team to successfully escape. For his bravery Robert L. Howard was nominated for the Medal of Honor. This was his first nomination.

In 1986, Howard was once again battling against the Vietnamese troopers in Cambodia. Howard and his team were searching for Robert Scherdin, who got separated from his recon team. Col. Howard was wounded severely during this rescue mission and was awarded with the well-deserved Medal of Honor. Col. Robert Lewis Howard was wounded 14 times in the Vietnam war.  He has been awarded with more than 30 awards and honors including Medal of Honors, Purple Hearts, and Air Medal. Col. Robert Lewis Howard retired from the army in1992 after 36 years of vigorous service.

On Saturday, March 6th volunteers of Keep Opelika Beautiful will be participating in the Citywide Cleanup. This local effort, an extension of the national program, Great American Cleanup, is an opportunity for citizens to join together in the fight against litter. Dr. Bob Patton has again agreed to chair the local event. Over 300 local volunteers joined Keep Opelika Beautiful in 2009 to participate in the event.
 
Established by Keep America Beautiful, Inc., the nation’s premier litter prevention and education organization, in partnership with state and local affiliates such as ours, the Great American Cleanup is our country’s largest annual cleanup, beautification and community improvement program. Each year, millions of volunteers in over 15,000 communities across the country take part in this program.

As in years past, GLAD is a national sponsor for the event and donates trash bags to assist the volunteers. Locally, East Alabama Medical Center is helping with supplies. The Opelika Exchange Club feeds all volunteers after the morning of picking up litter. Participants of the event include all Adopt-A-Mile sponsors, Afni, Auburn Opelika Elks Club, Opelika Exchange Club, Opelika Fire Department, Opelika High School FFA, Opelika Kiwanis Club, Opelika Lions Club, Opelika Rotary Club and Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Several civic organization including Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Phi Theta Kappa, Boys & Girls Club and various organizations at Opelika High School volunteer for the Cleanup. The Opelika Solid Waste Department, Opelika Mainstreet and Opelika Police Department also assist in the efforts. First Baptist Church of Opelika’s My Jerusalem program will also have volunteers throughout Opelika participating in the Citywide Cleanup.

Businesses and citizens are encouraged to join Keep Opelika Beautiful in the fight against litter. For more information call Keep Opelika Beautiful at (334) 749-4970.  (Source: KOB News Release)

The Opelika City Schools will be open on Monday, February 15 as a regular school day.  It was originally scheduled as a teacher work day but will now be a make up day for today’s snow day.  Southern Showcase scheduled for this weekend at OHS will continue as planned.  (Source: Opelika City Schools)

Lee County Attorney Lance Abbott announced that he will be a candidatefor District Attorney of Lee County as a Republican to fill the seat of retiring District Attorney Nick Abbett. Prior to practicing as an attorney, Abbott served forover thirteen (13) years in law enforcement within the Lee County community as an Agent with the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (A.B.I.), a D.E.A. Task ForceAgent, an Alabama State Trooper, as well as serving in the Alabama AttorneyGeneral’s Office under former Attorney General Bill Pryor, Jr. “District Attorney Abbett is a man of exceptional integrity and has had an outstanding career as D.A. in our community. He has provided more than 44 years of loyal public service as a law enforcement officer and prosecutor in Lee County. As a former law enforcement officer and Agent with A.B.I., I’ve knownand admired Mr. Abbett for many years. As District Attorney of Lee County, I willcontinue carrying on those high standards and valued traditions of serious prosecution of those who commit crimes, strenuously representing victims in our community, and ensuring justice to protect our children and the citizens of Lee County.” said Abbott.“A prosecutor is only as strong as the law enforcement agencies that surround him. I have worked in conjunction with all of the agencies in Lee County, namely, the Auburn and Opelika Police Departments, the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, and the Alabama State Troopers. I am very proud of the agencies in our area and confident that they are foremost in regards to their knowledge, experience, professionalism, and dedication to duty within the State of Alabama.” said Abbott.  (more…)

Opelika Middle School has been selected as a 2010 CLAS Banner School!  This award (CLAS= Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools) recognizes schools that serve as outstanding educational models for other schools in Alabama.  The CLAS Banner School program was created in 2001 to recognize schools in Alabama that showcase outstanding programs and services to students.  174 schools were nominated this year and 12 were chosen!  Only 3 middle schools were chosen!  Congratulations to OMS!

Hanwha L & C Alabama, LLC (formerly known as Maxforma Plastics, LLC) joined Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller, State and local officials today to announce that the company will begin a 2nd major expansion of their manufacturing facility at its Opelika location in the Northeast Opelika Industrial Park.  They plan to invest another $11million for a building expansion and equipment and will create an additional 25 new jobs.  They will add approximately 25,000 sq. ft. to their existing building bringing the total sq. footage to 145, 000 sq. ft.  This new expansion will increase the company’s total investment in Opelika to approximately $43 million.

Hanwha L & C Alabama began its operation in Opelika just four years ago and had its first expansion in 2008. According to Mayor Gary Fuller, Hanwha is a great community partner as well as a corporate partner. Hanwha was one of the first industries to make a contribution to the new Opelika Sportsplex and Aquatics Center.  The group fitness room is named in honor of Hanwha.  Fuller said, “We sincerely appreciate Hanwha’s investment in our community and pledge to continue to support their growth and success here in Opelika.”

The newly expanded facility will increase the company’s current production capacity.  The expansion will improve the company’s ability to create automotive parts used in the bumper’s impact resistance core, transportation equipment, packaging for the electronics industry and building products. 

Hanwha L & C Alabama, LLC is a part of the automotive division of Hanwha L & C Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.  Hanwha L & C Corporation is a world leader in the manufacturing of construction materials such as plastic floor materials and artificial marble, automotive components such as GMT, EPP, and interior decorations, and other plastics products such as packing materials and films.  Hanwha L & C Alabama is a tier one supplier to Hyundai Motors Manufacturing of Alabama and Kia Motors Manufacturing of Georgia and produces bumper back beams, as well as the bumper’s impact resistant core, components designed to protect the automobile and its passengers from accidents and injury. 

This latest expansion is expected to be completed by August 2010.  Persons interested in employment are invited to contact the Human Resources department of the plant at 4400 Northpark Drive in Opelika. For more information on Hanwha visit their website at http://www.hlcc.co.kr/English.

I’ve had friends tell me for years that grabbing a weekend lunch at the Hotel Talisi is pretty cool. Well, those days are gone, check this video from the OA News. Wish I had gone!

From a Letter from Mayor Gary Fuller.  When the good citizens of Opelika hired me in August, 2004 to be their mayor the salary for the job was $52,000 a year and it had been the same amount for 16 years.  When the City Council voted to change their salary as well as the mayor’s salary, effective when the new term began in November, 2008, I made a pledge that I am now fulfilling.  I told the Council when they approved the pay raise on February 19, 2008 that I was going to continue working for the same salary and that I would contribute any difference to charity or non-profits groups.  I also promised that I would publish the names and amount of my contributions to different groups.  Mitch Price, City Controller, has informed me the difference in “take home” pay from the old salary to the new is $15,072.  It was not a hard decision to contribute this money to folks that need help. 

Here is the listing of contributions we’ve made this year:

•$5,000 Opelika Sportsplex & Aquatics Center,
•$2,000 Lee County United Way,
•$1,500 Harvest Evangelism,
•$1,250 Orphanage Emmanuel,
•$1,200 The Way Ministries,
•$1,000 First United Methodist Church Sonrise At Risk Pre-K Program,
•$425 Opelika High All-Sports Booster Club,
•$2,870 to various other recipients including Lee County Literacy Coalition, Boy’s & Girl’s Clubs of Greater Lee County, Lion Tamer’s Social Club, Global Impact Church, Brooklyn Tabernacle, Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, AME Zion at The Hill, Opelika Main Street, Youth for Christ, St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Hopes Inn, Opelika High School Project Graduation Class of 2009, Keep Opelika Beautiful, Friends of Scouting, East Alabama Arts Association and Children’s Miracle Network. 
•Grand total of $15,245.

This is from a Letter to the Editor to local media.  Promise fulfilled.  Thanks to Jan at City Hall for including Opelika Daily News. ~ JK