The measure was initially proposed by City Manager Michael Stampfler as a packet of reforms necessary to balance the budget. A study presented at the time showed the two centers were used, on average, a total of 25 times per month. The city could generate significant savings, he said at the time, by closing the two centers and moving the employees there to Spring Street, where they would fill essential vacant positions at no additional cost. The closures would also result in utility savings.
The council agreed from the outset Monday no official action would be taken. State Rep. Steve Hurst, D-Munford, had asked the council to delay any final decision until after the legislative session ends in two weeks. He said he would be working with state and federal agencies to try and secure funding to keep the two facilities open for at least another six to 12 months.
In addition to community service, Hurst cited the desire to avoid creating two new vacant buildings in town.
Of the residents that attended the meeting, a dozen spoke, mostly about the Bemiston Center.
John Moore said the Bemiston Center was actually named for his father. “I am passionate about this building,” he said. “It was the center of community life, not just for Bemiston but for kids from Talladega, Sylacauga and Childersburg. I know the history of this building back to 1936, when it was built. All of the residents out here are anxious to participate, if you want to let the citizens take it over.”
He said the low usage figures had more to do with the fact that many teenagers using the building don’t sign in, and the building is often locked when it’s supposed to be open. This had been a problem at other times as well, during “volunteer days” to renovate the inside of the building. Unfortunately, none of the volunteers could get in.
Bobbye Trammell, author of a recent history of Bemiston, agreed. “The building is not being used because people can’t get into it. We were supposed to have had a meeting with (Councilman) Lance Grissett and the manager at MasterBrand cabinets, and we couldn’t get in.” She also complained that a counter-top bought by citizens had never been installed, and the citizens also purchased a new awning and several flags that were not being flown.
Trammell’s brother, J.W. Baker, spoke next, complaining that even when the building is open, only the lobby can be used. He also complained that a $50,000 grant awarded in 2001 had disappeared, installation of a chairlift had never gone forward, and an electronic range on the second floor had disappeared. “We had enough labor to do all the work ourselves,” he said. “We could have made it a showplace.”
Instead, the upper floor of the building was “trashed,” the wiring had been stripped out of a junction box, and furniture and pictures had been stolen.
Council President Horace Patterson, at this point, said the council should have been asking the community what it wanted all along, and the council as a whole eventually agreed to send out a questionnaire.
Councilman Jimmy Davis then asked if the audience would be willing to take on an additional one cent in sales tax to keep the two buildings open. “Only if it just goes for that one,” Baker said.
“These programs do cost money,” Councilman Donnie Miller said. “But people will pay $2 to watch a ballgame. You’ll make your money back. If it’s offered, people will do it. We’ve gotten away from recreation standards. Right now, there’s no reason to go there.”
Corey Brown, pastor of Bemiston Baptist Church, said he had notified Hurst, and offered to take over the facility if the city closed it.
“Give to me,” he said. “Zero equity is better than negative equity. That’s one idea. I’ve talked with people at the nursing home that want more folks to do their therapy here, so bring in someone to do low impact aerobics. Just some ideas.”
John Elder, a former parks and recreation board member, said that there, too, most of the equipment, including some he put in himself, was now gone and there was no longer any reason to go there. He had given a similar statement Thursday.
“Both of these buildings are designated storm shelters,” he said. “If a tornado is coming, are we supposed to find the director? Call Alabama Power to turn the lights back on? You already raised the city sales tax one cent, and that didn’t fix our problems.”
Civil Service Board Chairman Frank Miller spoke about the Golden Agers, a senior program that, during its peak, met at the Brecon Center. During this period, average attendance was 70 to 80, and peak membership was 90. Since the program moved to Spring Street, attendance is less than 25 people.
“There is a serious logical flaw in the argument for closing,” he said. “If there are no programs, you can’t count the participants. That’s self-fulfilling prophecy, not logic.”
Another member of the audience pointed out the Bemiston center was a polling place, a fact the council said they were aware of.
Geneva Phillips, another long-time Bemiston resident, complained the community council could not hold a decent meeting in the lobby when kids were playing basketball in the gym.
Duryea Truss said he felt both centers should be left open, and children should not be charged to use them.
Former Parks and Recreation Director Donald Banks spoke of a successful day care program at the center with the instructor supplying all of the toys and videos.
Miller suggested turning the management of the two centers over to unpaid volunteers during the day, bringing in only professional staff after school let out.
Retired businessman Howard Williams said he was not in favor of either a new tax or closure of the centers, but suggested the city balance the budget by having fewer municipal vehicles on the road “riding around and doing nothing.”
Bemiston resident Sam Grice thanked the city for the work that had been done there to date and asked that the residents be given the opportunity to finish the job.
Both Truss and Elders complained that too much of the burden was falling on the Parks and Recreation Department and should be spread among all city services.
Talladega Merchant’s Association founder Keela Brown urged community support of the department.
Also Monday, the council:
• Approved a contract with Clements Dean Building Company of Wilsonville to renovate the Spring Street Recreation Center at a cost of $839,500.
• Improved a resolution increasing the non-urbanized area public transportation program contract match reimbursement by $18,000.
• Set a budget work session for Thursday, May 20.
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