SPORTS: Liberty Middle School’s Ella Carter wins state championship in 800-meter race
M adison RECORD WEDNESDAY February 2, 2022
THE
458 07-1
Free Edition • Published Every Wednesday
themadisonrecord.com
@themadisonrecord
themadisonrecord
INSIDE
Jones
Outstanding
Man arrested for murder in wife’s shooting death
American Legion, Post 229 awarded 2021’s outstanding law enforcement officers and firefighter in its annual recognition for first responders. Legionnaires presented the awards at Madison City Council’s meeting last week. Page 3A
By JOHN FEW John@themadisonrecord.com
SCHOOLS
Cast members simulate the Wright Brothers’ first flight in “Wright! Celebrate the Beginning of Flight,” the debut production by Unexpected Company Theatre.
“Thank you” The Madison City Board of Education spends most school board meetings recognizing students, schools and teachers for outstanding achievements. Last week it was the board being honored. Page 5A
COMMUNITY
New theatre group aims to tell Wright Brothers’ story in sensory-inclusive show By GREGG PARKER Gregg@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – A new theatre group in Madison that will present sensory-inclusive shows to entertain a wider
audience. Melissa Rice and six other actors have formed the musical theatre troupe, Unexpected Company Theatre. “We’re in rehearsal for our very first show, ‘Wright! Celebrate the
Beginning of Flight,’ a short musical about the Wright Brothers first flight,” Rice said. “The production by John Jacobson and Roger EmerSee UNEXPECTED Page 2A
MADISON - A Madison man was arrested early this week, charged with murder in the shooting death of his wife Sunday night. According to the Madison Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call in the 100 block of Philadelphia Drive near West Madison Elementary School around 7:45 p.m. Sunday. A female, later identified as 36-yearold Erin Jones of Madison, was pronounced dead at the scene. City of Madison spokesperson Samantha Magnuson said based on available evidence, Madison Detectives arrested the victim’s husband, Reese Jones, 33, for murder. He was booked into the Madison County Jail with a $75,000 bond.
Residents invited to share input in new plans for city By STAFF REPORTS
The days of outlandish hair and massive shoulder pads will return for an evening at “Totally Awesome 80s,” the St. John the Baptist Catholic School 2022 Gala. Page 8A
SPORTS
MADISON – Changes are likely in store for the way Madison’s government is structured if residents approve. City council members received more details last week about a report recommending drastic changes that would see the city administration led by a city manager instead of a mayor. In August 2021, Mayor Paul Finley appointed the seven-member citizen committee
Mazda line at MTM begins production, more jobs added State Champs! The Sparkman High bowling team has done it again. For the second consecutive year and third time in school history the Lady Senators have won the AHSAA Class 6A/7A Bowling State Championship. Page 1B
CLASSIFIEDS
FIND JOBS INSIDE: There are plenty of jobs within today’s classifieds pages. See page 4A.
INSIDE Records .......... 2A Events ............. 5A Education ........ 6A Sports ............. 1B
Business ......... 4B Kids................. 5B Church ............ 6B Lifestyles ......... 7B
16 pages • 2 sections
change to a city council/city manager form of government. Instead of having seven council districts, like the city does now, it will have six with the mayor able to vote. “If enacted, this form of government would place a credentialed city manager professional in charge of daily operations of the city, which would provide continuity of city management even as elected officials change,” Magnuson said. “While policy making would still reside with elected officials, the mayor and
council would share legislative functions with the mayor serving as the council president.” In order to transition to the Council-Manager form of government, under the Alabama Council-Manager Act, a petition is necessary to kick off the process. If the requisite number of Madison residents sign the petition, then the question of whether to change the form of government would be submitted to voters in a special election. To learn more about the next See INPUT Page 2A
CELEBRATING 100
By STAFF REPORTS GREENBRIER - Mazda Toyota Manufacturing started its Mazda production line last week, and officials said the $2.3 billion Limestone County automotive plant will add 1,200 employees this year as it continues to transform north Alabama. The first Mazda CX-50, a crossover SUV, rolled off the assembly line four years and two weeks after plans for the plant were announced. The facility in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County started Toyota production on Sept. 30 and currently employs 2,800 people. The company’s goal remains to reach 4,000 employees, which could be attained late this fall. Mark Brazeal, MTM’s vice president of administration, said the company has been hiring 50 to 60 employees every Monday and is still accepting applications. “No one should feel like they don’t have any opportunities,” Brazeal said. The plant’s suppliers in the area also haven’t reached their maximum employment, according to Brazeal.
Elementary schools in Madison went all out to celebrate the 100th day of school last week. Madison City Schools shared these scenes from some of the fun at the schools as the marked their 100th day on Jan, 27. You can see them on page 6A.
458614-1
Totally 80’s!
to research the form of city government that Madison should be using now. The city of Madison changed from a commissioner structure in 1988 to a mayor/ council form of government, under which the city continues to function today. The Governance Transition Committee delivered its findings to the Madison city council recently and conducted a worksession last week with council members. The committee was unanimous in its recommendation that Madison should