One Woman’s Opinion

Columnist, Jackie Reed

Thanks, Speakin Out News and to our many dedicated readers. This was a very sad week In Huntsville, Alabama with the passing of Huntsville’s First Lady, Eula Battle.  Mrs. Battle was laid to rest last Friday at the age of 65, after a long and courageous fight with cancer.  She has left a legacy every bit as important as her four-year term husband Mayor Tommie Battle. She was a fun, beautiful, loving, gorgeous lady who loved everyone.  She was a civic leader, long time school teacher and great supporter of her husband Mayor Battle while never caring about being in the spotlight.  She promoted “Free 2 Teach”, a non-profit she co- founded to provide schools supplies to teachers in Madison County.  We will miss your smiling and loving face, but people like you live forever.

FAMILY FUN

This past weekend several members of my family went to Birmingham, Alabama to see the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns play UAB in football. My niece ‘s son, Billy Napier, has been the Head Football Coach at Louisiana for 3 years.  My son and his wife along with my niece, nephew and several members of their families attended the game. They all had a great time together as they do not get to see each other that often.  I did not go to the game because I had a fall last week and injured my shoulder. The Ragin Cajuns beat UAB by 4 points. 

CONFEDERATE MONUMENT REMOVED

A group of about 30 people attended the removal of the monument from the Madison County Courthouse that occurred after 1 a.m. Saturday morning. The statue of the Unnamed Confederate Soldier atop the monument was sawed off at the base and lifted away by a crane as the crowd cheered and celebrated to see the monument coming down. Many people there were unhappy and against taking the monument down, stating they felt we should leave history alone. The statue has been the topic of debate and protest in downtown Huntsville for several months. A few months ago, the City Council voted to move the monument to Maple Cemetery.  There were many citizens wanting the monument removed including several members of the City Council. There were also many people opposed to moving the statue. We still have protesters showing up every week at the city council meetings. I am not sure why they don’t they call their Councilman and voice their concerns to them.

$40 MILLION AMPHITHEATER

The city leaders voted two weeks ago to give the Public Building Authority approval to build the Amphitheater using $40 million of City funds.  If I am not mistaken, wasn’t the Public Building Authority the ones responsible for building the jail?

Love you all hand have a blessed week.