May 2026 E-newsletter for Council Member Michelle Watkins
May 2026 E-newsletter for Council Member Michelle Watkins
From the desk of Council Member Michelle Watkins, District 1
Huntsville City Council • District 1                                                                     May 2026
man and woman talk with another man listening and posters on easels in background woman in floral shirt talks at podium with projection slide on wall in background
D1 Town Hall Covers Showers Center Upgrades Plan
Council Member Michelle Watkins hosted a town hall on April 2 about the future of the Dr. Richard Showers, Sr. Recreation Center. Residents heard a detailed presentation about plans to renovate the facility, which includes refurbishment not only to the building itself but to surrounding ballfields as well. Council Member Watkins also emphasized that there are no plans to change the name of the recreation center.

Council Member Watkins will hold a District 1 Drop-In on Tuesday, May 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Cavalry Hill Community Center, 2900 Fairbanks St. NW. It’s an opportunity for an informal discussion about issues in District 1 and across Huntsville.
exterior photo of center for technology and crowd on sidewalk
Summer Hiring & Job Expo
Council Member Watkins is proud to help coordinate the 2026 Summer Hiring & Job Expo on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Huntsville Center for Technology, 2603 North Memorial Pkwy. This collaborative initiative with Huntsville City Schools is designed to connect leading employers with motivated, career-ready students seeking summer employment, internships, apprenticeships and long-term career opportunities.
graphic for heroes on the block party
Heroes on the Block Community Party Returns
The fun returns to the Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center with the second annual Heroes on the Block community party on Saturday, May 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Huntsville Police and Huntsville Fire & Rescue team up to connect with residents while providing free food and fun for the entire family. There will also be inflatables and games for children and live music for everyone to enjoy. It’s also an opportunity to get an up-close look at police and fire vehicles and learn more about how they keep our city safe.
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woman in jeans and denim jacket stands in yard next to banner reading
Supporting Community Development Home Projects  
Council Member Watkins celebrated the two home rehabilitation projects overseen by Community Development during National Community Development Week in April. She visited the home sites on Leroy Drive and talked with workers and volunteers, thanking them for lending their skills to make Huntsville a better place to live. 
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man in blue shirt and cap with play button icon in middle
The 'Sort Of' Retirement of Rodney McCallie 
Community Development bid farewell to a hero. Well, sort of. Rodney McCallie, who spearheaded volunteer construction projects to rehabilitate homes for low-income seniors, is retiring after 24 years. But to the surprise of no one who knows him, McCallie is not going far. “If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” he said. 
Watch the Video
teen girls in red shirt receives resolution in posed photo with five people
Jemison High School's Champion Track Star 
At a recent Council meeting, Council Member Watkins recognized the outstanding athletic achievements of Amaya Wells, a senior at Mae Jemison High School. A track & field star, Wells won the 2025 outdoor state championship in the Class 6A 100-meter hurdles, then won the indoor state titles in both the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles. “Her accomplishments reflect not only her individual talent and perseverance but also bring pride and recognition to Mae Jemison High School and the Huntsville community,” her resolution said in part.
Read the Resolution
large group of people pose for photo with blue projection screens in background
Celebrating Championship Basketball Teams
Council Member Watkins joined Mayor Tommy Battle in heralding the historic seasons by the Alabama A&M and University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) women’s basketball teams.

Alabama A&M won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season championship in a season that included an 18-game winning streak. Graduate student Kalia Walker was named SWAC Player of the Year and Dawn Thornton was named SWAC Coach of the Year.

UAH enjoyed the most successful season in school history, advancing to the Division II NCAA Tournament Final Four. Senior Lili Wilken was named Gulf South Conference (GSC) Player of the Year as well as first-team All-America while coach Allen Sharpe was named GSC Coach of the Year.

Mayor Battle proclaimed April 9, 2026, as Women in Sports Day in Huntsville.
Read the Proclamation
large group of people, most in red shirts, pose for photo with projection screens in background
large group of people, most in black shirts, pose for photo with projection screens in background
Championship Seasons at Alabama A&M
It’s been a pair of championship seasons for athletics at Alabama A&M University. Council Member Watkins honored the Bulldog men’s tennis team (top photo) and women’s bowling team with resolutions at the April 23 Council meeting. The tennis team won the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) regular season title while the bowling team won the SWAC tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament.
fire department captain in blue uniform sitting at desk with play button icon in middle
Huntsville's Hall of Fame Firefighter
Stephanie Pinto, a former star softball player at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and now a captain at Huntsville Fire & Rescue, was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame on April 13. While that was quite an honor, for Pinto, it’s the third hall of fame that has welcomed her. Read the blog and watch the video to learn more about her inspiring story.
Watch the Video

COMING UP

May 9: Summer Hiring & Job Expo, 9 a.m. to noon, Huntsville Center for Technology, 2603 N. Memorial Pkwy
May 12: District 1 Drop-In, 6-7:30 p.m., Cavalry Hill Community Center, 2900 Fairbanks St. NW
May 14: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
May 16: Heroes on the Block Community Party, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dr. Robert Shurney Legacy Center, 3011 Sparkman Dr. NW
May 25: Memorial Day, City of Huntsville Offices Closed
May 28: City Council Meeting, 5:30 p.m., Huntsville City Hall
May 30: Edmonton Heights Community Cleanup Day, 9-11 a.m., James Crawford Park, 3915 Melody Rd. NE
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