May 2025 E-newsletter for Council Member Michelle Watkins
May 2025 E-newsletter for Council Member Michelle Watkins
From the desk of Council Member Michelle Watkins, District 1
Huntsville City Council • District 1                                                                            May 2025
Touring HFR Stations in District 1 
Council Member Michelle Watkins recently toured Huntsville Fire & Rescue (HFR) stations in District 1 to get a first-hand look at the facilities and learn more about HFR needs to ensure residents continue to receive excellent responses on fire and medical calls. Joining her was Council President John Meredith, City Administrator John Hamilton, General Services Director Ricky Wilkinson and HFR Chief Howard McFarlen. 
firefighter in blue uniform standing in front of red fire truck
Heroic HFR rescue in D1
Jesse Kistler didn’t plan to become a hero but when the call came, the driver/engineer at Station 5 on University Drive responded to meet the moment. Responding to a fire call at an apartment complex on Academy Drive, Kistler jumped from the HFR truck he was driving after seeing a woman holding her child out the window of a second-floor window. “When you see someone completely out of the window, you try to get there yesterday,” Kistler said.
Learn More
group of well dressed people at ribbon cutting
Cutting the Ribbon at Drake State 
Council Member Watkins was honored to attend the April 25 ribbon cutting for the Leidos Advanced Manufacturing Center at Drake State Community and Technical College. The center will create new learning opportunities and hands-on experiences for students. Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims thanked regional and local officials for their dedication and support to seeing this project to completion. Madison County Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon and state Rep. Laura Hall were among those also in attendance.
group of people wearing safety vests displaying bags of collected litter
Monster Success for D1 Cleanup
The District 1 Earth Month Kickoff Cleanup brought out more than 100 volunteers to clean areas around the Dr. Richard Showers, Sr., Recreation Center. Volunteers collected 142 bags of litter, painted 30 fire hydrants and cleared two illegal dumps and three handicap crosswalks or medians. Altogether, more than 1,200 pounds of litter was picked up. A big thank you to Northrop Grumman, IronMountain Solutions, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Alabama A&M University, Temple Lodge No. 98 F&AM PHA, AKA Sorority and Crosspointe Church for their assistance with the cleanup. 
woman and man standing outside house under repair
A Helpful Hand for D1 Resident
Community Development staff and a team of volunteers with the City’s Home Rehabilitation Program recently lended helping hands to D1 resident Esther Hurt, providing much-needed exterior improvements to her home through funding from the Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. These programs offers assistance to low-to-moderate income residents, many of whom are seniors, individuals with disabilities or working families. 
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group of people at City Council presentation with flags in background
Honoring a Public Servant
Council Member Watkins and Council Member Bill Kling presented an honorary resolution to the family of the late Pearlie Mae Stamper at the March 27 City Council meeting. Stamper worked as an administrative aide to the City Council for 23 years before retiring in 2015. “She will forever be remembered for her unwavering faith, kindness and dedication to the Greater Huntsville community,” the resolution said. Jackie Wilson, Stamper’s sister who works for Huntsville Parks & Recreation, accepted the resolution. 
Read the Resolution
Heroes on the Block Party
Make plans to attend the first Heroes on the Block Party, free for all ages sponsored by Huntsville Police (HPD) and Huntsville Fire & Rescue (HFR). The festivities will be Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center, 3011 Sparkman Drive. Enjoy free food, inflatables, vendors and a petting zoo with live music by DJ LaShay B while interacting with HPD officers and HFR firefighters in a fun, community setting.
urban hardscape with trees and decorative rocks
A 'Beltline' for North Huntsville in Plans
A greenway featuring wide paths for walking and biking, pocket parks and public art installations with the potential for development opportunities is in the planning stages to connect downtown Huntsville with Alabama A&M. The plan is loosely modeled after Atlanta’s 22-mile Beltline that provides a blueprint for urban transformation. City leaders recently visited Atlanta to learn more about the project and bring some of those ideas back to Huntsville. 
Read the Blog
Edmonton Heights Community Cleanup
Join friends and neighbors to give a little extra sparkle to Huntsville. The Edmonton Heights Community Cleanup Day is Saturday, May 3, from 9-11 a.m, at James Crawford Park, 3915 Melody Road. Green Team will be on site with trash bags, litter sticks, gloves and safety vests for volunteers. All ages and abilities are welcome and volunteers can come any time. Let’s all help make our community #LitterFreeHSV.

COMING UP


May 3: Edmonton Heights Community Cleanup, 9-11 a.m., 3915 Melody Road
May 8: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
May 17: Heroes on the Block Community Party, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center, 3011 Sparkman Dr.
May 22: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
May 28: Memorial Day, City Offices Closed
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