PINSON, Ala. (Trussville Tribune) -- 16-year Navy veteran Scott Ragsdale delivered a proposal to the Pinson City Council during a pre-council meeting on Thursday, Jan. 16 to support his vision for a park that honors veterans of all the branches of the U.S. military.
According to Nathan Prewett with the Trussville Tribune, the idea has been in the making for several years with some changes to the original design and the materials for it have been funded with private donations.
Ragsdale got the idea when he realized that Pinson did not have its own display to recognize veterans.
He has brought it to the council in the past but it was not addressed until he returned recently.
“With this park, it’s a symbol of myself,” Ragsdale said. “It’s a symbol of [Councilor Brad Walker, himself a Marine Corps veteran]. It’s a symbol of every National Guard member, every person who’s ever served. It’s a strong statement.”
The left corner of Bicentennial Lane and Pinson Boulevard is the proposed site of the Veteran Honors Park, which would feature six, 20-foot tall concrete columns, each representing a branch of the armed forces.
Among other features would be an American flag on a 20-foot pole in the middle of the park, a concrete podium holding a plaque displaying the Oath of Enlistment, and an Arlington burial cross, which would represent soldiers who died overseas or died after returning home.
In his proposal, he requested a letter from Mayor Robbie Roberts verifying the creation of the park for donors and designating a liaison from the city for the project, which would be carried out over several phases, beginning with a groundbreaking on Memorial Day and followed by construction, landscaping and concluding with a ribbon cutting on Veterans Day.
During the regular meeting the council unanimously voted for a preliminary approval of the project.
Later in the regular meeting the council recognized the winners of the 2024 Christmas Parade float contest. In third place was the Girl Scout Troop 25007. They received $50. Second place was Pinson United Methodist Church, which received $75, and Kermit Johnson Elementary School was in first place, receiving $125.
Roberts presented a $250 check to several people representing the winning teams.
“We appreciate you guys participating in the parade,” he told them. “Everybody really enjoyed it. There were some nice floats.”
Additionally, it was announced that the city website has a feature where residents can report concerns. This can be accessed by going to thecityofpinson.com and clicking on the “Report a concern” button to fill out an information form.
During public comments Center Point Fire District Battalion Chief Chris Horn announced that they will be hosting a recruit school on Feb. 17.
Afterwards James Vining spoke and thanked Ragsdale for the upcoming park and wished a happy birthday to Councilor Clinteshia Irvin, who mentioned that the previous day, Jan. 15, would have been the late Mayor Joe Cochran’s birthday.
In other business the council:
- Approved the tax free holidays for Severe Weather Preparedness and Back to School
- Approved an alcohol license for the new ALDI location,
- Granted $28, 760 to the Center Point Fire District for new laptops,
- Granted $50,000 to the fire districts with more funds to be paid in intervals in the coming months,
- Approved a payment of $7,200 to Pinson Valley High School for public safety services in the fall football season,
- Annexed a property on Clay Palmerdale Road, and
- Announced four Shred Day events with specific dates to be determined.
Pinson City Council meets on the first and third Thursdays of every month at City Hall on 4410 Main Street. Live-streamed meetings can be seen on the city’s Facebook page.
Nathan Prewett can be reached at nthomasp6@gmail.com.