By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



The following events were reported in The North Jefferson News during this week in 2003, 1998, 1988 and 1978.



Five years ago

• All five Gardendale City Council wards will change once voted on. Mayor Kenny Clemons said due to the city’s growth and in an attempt to balance population numbers, lines will be redrawn.

• The City of Gardendale drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 during its 17th annual Christmas parade. There were 102 floats.

• The Morris Town Council received a $20,000 commitment from Commissioner Bettye Fine Collins to finance a picnic pavilion, but the city might put that money toward a new fire truck instead.



10 years ago

• Gardendale’s streets were crowded on Thursday as 100 cars and floats scooted their way down the parade route during the 12th annual Christmas parade.

• World War I veteran Lee Roy Hicks of Fultondale turned 100 years old this year. He was born Dec. 7, 1989, in Clanton, one of 12 children. He is a member of VFW Post 10250.

• School buses for Fultondale High School will soon have cameras on board. The cameras will help bus drivers keep order and settle disputes.



20 years ago

• A new library, sports facilities and addition to the city jail will be funded with a $1.4 million general obligation warrant issue officially approved at Monday’s meeting of the Gardendale City Council.

• The placement of a mobile home recently off Heron Drive has sparked a call by several residents of Kimberly to adopt some sort of zoning restrictions in town.

• The city of Fultondale will begin to reimburse volunteer firefighters $5 per call when they respond to emergency alarms. Paramedic personnel will have to wait before they will receive a similar benefit.



30 years ago

• The controversy over EMS equipment in Fultondale is not resolved after all. Some council members are concerned that officers gave people the wrong impression at the road block where they collected money because signs said the fund-raiser was for Rescue 70.

• Fultondale EMS, Inc., prepares a statement asking from the city council: To be recognized as Rescue 70; an apology for accusations from council members in the Birmingham News; and a statement of endorsement from the city.

• The TV Log for Friday, 7 p.m., has these listings: Channel 6, “Donny and Marie;” Channel 13, “Diff’rent Strokes;” and Channels 40 and 42, “The New Adventures of Wonder Woman.”