Mayor's Blog

I was honored to proclaim Saturday, November 26, 2022 as Small Business Saturday at Tuesday's council meeting. I was joined by Ken Ward Opelika Main Street's Executive Director, Valerie and Mike Smith owners of Southern Crossing, and Ali Rauch Opelika Chamber of Commerce's President and CEO. The City of Opelika celebrates our local small businesses and the contributions they make to our local economy and community. We urge our residents to support small businesses and merchants on Small Business Saturday and throughout the year. 

I was honored to proclaim November as National Epilepsy Awareness Month at last night's council meeting. I was joined by Janataka Holmes and her son. Janataka is hosting the 2nd Annual Glow for Epilepsy event on Sunday, Nov. 6 from 4-6 p.m. at Courthouse Square. The event is to help promote public awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and to highlight the need for further research. We must recognize the seriousness of this disorder and ensure that individuals with epilepsy are treated with respect.  

It was great fun to celebrate Rick Lane at our meeting last night. For 40 years Rick has loved, nurtured, and discipled over 1,000 teenagers to Jesus. He has attended hundreds of high school graduations, sporting events, band concerts, school plays, and other activities important to his youth group. He has also taught a lot of youth to hunt – his other passion. He truly loves each of “his kids” unconditionally. I'd like to extend my sincere congratulations to Rick Lane on his 40^th Anniversary as Youth Pastor at First United Methodist Church and I proclaimed November 1 as Rick Lane Day.

Last night's Opelika City Council Meeting was filled with many recognitions! To begin, I recognized JaQuan Sanks, a gentleman who works for Packaging Corporation of America, for his kindness and heroism in helping an elderly lady from Columbus. Thank you JaQuan for showing the community there are still good people in this world! 

I proclaimed October 2022 as Pro Bono Month! Pro Bono Month 2022 will educate the public about the extensive, community work of Alabama lawyers. It will encourage more individuals in the legal community to get involved in pro bono work, financially support the legal aid system, and feature legal aid clinics for those in need of legal assistance but unable to pay. District Attorney Jessica Ventiere accepted the proclamation at council. 

I recognized the two Firefighter of the Year Runner Ups for 2022, who were Michael Clifton and Phillip Bell. The 2022 Firefighter of the Year is Dennis Hanson. Congratulations to all of you! It is well deserved! 

Pictured: Chief Boyd, Phillip Bell, Mayor Fuller             Pictured: Chief Boyd, Michael Clifton, Mayor Fuller

Pictured: Chief Boyd, Dennis Hanson, Mayor Fuller

Officer Grant Cow of the Opelika Police Department received 2022 Officer of the Year. Kole Pagan was recognized as Dispatcher of the Year and Officers Quintana, Hunter, Phillips and Foster were recognized as Community Police Officers of the Year! Thank y'all for your service to Opelika! 

Pictured Above: Chief Healey, Kole Pagan, Mayor Fuller                 Pictured Above: Chief Healey, Officers Quintana, Hunter, Phillips, Foster ad Mayo Fuller

The City of Opelika Citizens Police Academy's Alumni Association awarded a check to Carol Carson, the artist for the commission art piece used for the Association's fundraiser. 

Then, I had the opportunity to hand out the 2022 Employee Service Awards. The Service Awards are as follows: Barbara Arrington - 10 years, Jeff Kappelman - 20 years, Matt Battles - 10 years, Jeff McCory - 25 years, Wesley Ballard - 10 years, Bret Rayburn - 10 years, Rusty Hornsby - 25 years, Stephen Fields - 25 years, Chette Jenkins - 5 years, Dwayne Steltenpohle - 5 years, Detective Burroughs - 5 years, Shanda Hugley, Captain Amerson - 25 years, Sgt. Gross - 10 years,Sgt. Hutto - 10 years