Monday, July 26, 2010 2:53 PM

SENATOR ROGER BEDFORD

CAPITOL REPORT

This summer has been a busy one for many with area little league teams in full swing as well as other sports. In addition, area football teams, cheerleaders and band members have been practicing for the upcoming season. It is hard to believe that in just a couple of weeks it will be time for students to gather up the books and head back to school.


This summer has also seen its share of struggles. We continue to struggle toward economic recovery nationwide with many positive signs but, we are still far from a full recovery. We have also had to deal with the impact of the BP oil spill with the prospects of the repercussions, both economic and environmental, lingering for some time to come.


However, the senate district has had some positive news including the awarding of many grants from various government and discretionary sources.


I was pleased to see the awarding of multiple grants in Marion County from Northwest Alabama Resource Conservation and Development including $8,000 for Phillips High School for new football lights, $2,495 to the Winfield Park and Recreation Department for new dugouts for a baseball field and a concrete pad for bleachers and $4,977 to Hackleburg High School for 10 interactive smart boards.


This past week it was also my pleasure to present grants to some area schools. The grants given are as follows:


$1,000 to the Russellville High School Majorettes

$2,000 to the Northwest Shoals Community College Men’s basketball program

$1,750 to the Red Bay High School physical education program

$250 to Russellville Elementary School

$1,000 to the Vina High School basketball program

$1,000 to the Vina High School track team program

$2,000 to the Russellville Middle School football program

$1,000 to the Russellville junior varsity cheerleaders

$1,000 to the Russellville varsity cheerleaders


Congratulations also goes out to the Guin Industrial Park on being awarded a $500,000 grant for sewer work for new hotel and future industries. I am pleased to see this as we need to do all that we can to foster the creation of new jobs and keep our existing jobs.


I also want to remind all of you about the upcoming Sales Tax Holiday that will run from Friday August 6 through Sunday, August 8. This "Holiday" is designed to help working families with the cost of school supplies and clothing including computers costing less than $750, calculators, certain books, etc. For a complete list of items and to read a copy of the law establishing the "Holiday" simply go to www.revenue.alabama.gov

I hope all of you are having an enjoyable and safe summer.


Please continue to contact me at the following:


Alabama State House

11 S. Union Street

Suite 730

Montgomery, AL 36130

Phone: 334-242-7862

Fax: 334-242-4736

Russellville Office

PO Box 370

Russellville, AL 35653

Phone: 256-332-6966

Fax: 256-332-6967

Email: senbedford@aol.com 
Website: www.rogerbedford.com