JACKSONVILLE, AL – The Jacksonville City Council held its regular meeting Tuesday, May 27, 2025, addressing several significant agenda items including a proclamation honoring the 60th anniversary of the Jacksonville Trailblazers, approval of a controversial mill village demolition contract, and a heated public hearing regarding a right-of-way relocation request.
Trailblazers’ Legacy Commemorated
The evening began with a moving proclamation recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Jacksonville Trailblazers, the courageous students who integrated Jacksonville’s schools in 1965. Councilman Marques Green read the proclamation declaring September 7, 2025, as the 60th Anniversary of the Trailblazers’ Day in Jacksonville.
Pamela Baker-King, executive director and co-founder of Youth Working Together for Speedy Awareness (YWTSA), accepted the proclamation on behalf of the 1965 Trailblazers. Baker-King, who was one of the original students to integrate Jacksonville Elementary School at age 10, delivered a powerful speech recounting the challenges faced by the 14 students who broke racial barriers.
“I was 10 years old when I entered Jacksonville Elementary School in the fifth grade,” Baker-King recalled. “Mrs. Boozer was my teacher, and Dee Solace, who is here with me today, was in my classroom.” She referenced the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the musical Carousel as her anthem during those difficult years.
Baker-King noted that only three of the seven elementary students were promoted to the next grade that first year, with her sister Brenda sitting in the classroom for an entire year without speaking a word. Despite the hardships, the Trailblazers went on to successful careers as teachers, military personnel, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.
The proclamation detailed how these students integrated Jacksonville Elementary Laboratory School (now Kitty Stone) and Jacksonville Laboratory High School (now Jacksonville High School) on September 7, 1965, following President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The first African American historical marker in Jacksonville was unveiled at the Jacksonville Public Library on October 6, 2024, commemorating their contributions.
Mill Village Demolition Approved
In a brief but significant vote, the council unanimously approved authorizing Mayor Smith to sign the sale and purchase agreement for demolition and removal of the Old Profile Cotton Mill with K&D Adventures LLC and Kevin Stewart. The motion passed 5-0 via roll call vote, with Council members Green, Wilson, Laster, Taylor, and Green all voting in favor.
Earlier in the public comment period, Gail DaParma made an impassioned plea for the council to reconsider the demolition. DaParma, who has hands-on renovation experience, argued that the mill building could be saved and repurposed.
“I’m here to ask you guys to not enter into an agreement to demo the building quite yet,” DaParma said. “What I’m proposing is that you establish a defined search team… and give us a year or two to work on finding a buyer.”
DaParma noted that the city purchased the mill about 20 years ago for $300,000 but has allowed it to decline in value. She referenced recent economic development projections showing potential millions in economic impact from such development projects. Despite her efforts, the council proceeded with the demolition approval.
Contentious Right-of-Way Hearing
The most heated portion of the meeting centered on a public hearing regarding Steve Seawalk’s request to vacate an unnamed right-of-way between 1612 and 1702 7th Avenue NE and relocate it to facilitate access to his property.
Seven residents spoke in opposition to the request, expressing concerns about increased traffic, safety issues, and the precedent such a move might set. Council President emphasized that the hearing was strictly about the right-of-way relocation, not future development plans, though residents clearly connected the two issues.
David Stubbs voiced concerns about losing municipal control over adjacent county property and the lack of environmental impact studies. “Relocating a right-of-way or an easement also sets a precedent,” Stubbs warned.
Jimmy Harrell opposed the relocation, stating it would direct traffic straight toward his master bedroom window. “When we built our house, picked the lots, it was based off of the GIS map… where the unnamed right-of-way is,” Harrell explained.
Lyndon Laster urged the council to vote no, calling the request “a precursor to whatever plans that may come in the future” and expressing concern about potential access to “20 acres of unincorporated property that sits adjacent to our subdivision.”
Jay Dill criticized the lack of engineering drawings for the proposed right-of-way relocation, contrasting it with Express Oil Change’s submission of 13 detailed engineering pages for a simple location approval. “No engineered drawings have been submitted at all,” Dill emphasized.
Two residents expressed specific traffic safety concerns. One speaker noted log trucks and excessive speeding on 11th Street, recounting a near-fatal incident when a log truck overturned in his yard. Another resident complained about vehicles exceeding 60 mph and “rolling boomboxes” disturbing the peace.
Steve Seawalk, the applicant, defended his request as a “common sense solution,” explaining that the city’s installation of a storm drain in the current right-of-way location has rendered it unusable for road access. He emphasized that he would bear the cost of any future road construction, not the city.
Kerry Kirby made what many considered the strongest argument against the request: “Why would you need a road if you weren’t going to build something on the 20 acres? Why would you need a right-of-way for the road back across his lot to get to 20 acres if you weren’t planning on doing something?”
Kimberly Darby expressed concerns about “daisy-chaining of subdivisions” and infrastructure capacity, noting that some roads leading to 7th Avenue aren’t wide enough for two lanes.
The council did not vote on this item during the meeting, with the council president indicating a vote would occur at the next meeting to allow time for consideration of public input.
Routine Business and Personnel Actions
The council approved several routine items, including:
- A retail on-premise beer, wine, and liquor license for David Gonzales’ business “Wigglys” at 1 Public Square East
- Pedestrian improvements along State Route 21 at Jacksonville Public Square
- A right-of-way easement with Coosa Valley Electric Cooperation
Personnel actions included hiring two new police officers, Christian Russell Fitch and William Ray Staggs, both at Range 18, to replace resigned officers Kyle Knight and Dylan DeLoach. The council also accepted resignations from Alexander Rose (Parks and Recreation), Russell Burgess (Street Department), and police officer Cody Canas.
Election Season Begins
In a new agenda item, the council provided time for candidacy announcements. Board of Education member Marita Watson announced her intention to seek re-election to Place 4, highlighting her 290 hours of professional development and service on state committees. Watson’s platform focuses on transparency, community collaboration, and strengthening the school-to-career bridge for students.
Council and Mayor’s Reports
Council member remarks included appreciation for recent community events. One council member praised the CHEAHA Challenge bicycle event and the Alabama Hospital Athletic Association baseball championships, noting positive feedback from visiting teams about Jacksonville’s facilities and hospitality.
The Mayor’s report, delivered by City Clerk, announced upcoming events including the summer reading program “Color Our World” starting that day, the June 13 Sound of Summer concert featuring FM Revival, and a June 14 senior block party.
Looking Ahead
The meeting concluded with the council president thanking residents for their participation, emphasizing that community engagement is “how government is supposed to work.” The contentious right-of-way issue will return for a vote at the next council meeting, with residents promised advance notice if the process moves forward.
The council’s handling of the mill village demolition and the upcoming right-of-way vote will likely continue to generate community interest as Jacksonville balances growth and development with neighborhood preservation concerns.
The next Jacksonville City Council meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2025, at 6:00 PM at City Hall.
