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THE SOUTHERN TORCH / FRIDAY, October 14, 2022 / VOL. 8, NO. 41 / $1.00
FP Food City: Status Unknown
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
FORT PAYNE, Ala.-- The possible opening of a Food City location in Fort Payne remains unclear, according to Fort Payne Mayor Brian Baine. “It’s totally out of our hands, at this time” stated Mayor Brian Baine. The project has seen much controversy as citizens have addressed the Fort Payne Council on two different occasions, with the majority being against the new grocery store locating in town. The Fort Payne Council approved earlier this year a Memorandum of Understanding. After an error in the city’s legal advertisement was published in a local newspaper, The Times Journal. The Fort Payne City Council threw out the previously approved Memorandum of
Understanding with Marathon Realty Corporation upon the advice of Fort Payne City Attorney, Rocky Watson. In a previous statement to Southern Torch, Attorney J. David Dodd stated that “ We
believe the City Council was well advised to dismiss the complaint and sincerely hope that our City Council will exercise better care of the taxpayer’s money in the future”. A new public hearing
was held on Tuesday, August 30 for those on both sides of the debate. All council members and Mayor Brian Bain were present, with the exception of John M. Smith who recently had surgery.
By Marla Jones Managing Editor
Mentone Area Preservation Association (MAPA). The event features handmade arts and crafts, festival food, live music, kid’s activities, a scarecrow contest, and a pet parade. The event which is usually at Mentone Park is moving to a new location this year. The new location will be held at the former Moon Lake School, which is now home to the Moon Lake Village. In Downtown Fort
While there was some present for the hearing that was in favor of the proposed development, the majority were against it. Opponents stated that while they were not against competition, they felt that if Food City wanted to open up new development, it should be on “their own dime…not Fort Payne taxpayers”. Others were concerned that their voices were not heard, as Council members did not answer their questions. Additionally, there is a pending opioid case that has been brought against Food City by the State of Tennessee Attorney General’s Office. In the new Memorandum of Understanding, the City of Fort Payne will still pay $3.1 million, as an incentive to bring the development to Fort
>See FOOD, P4
Commission Fall Events to Enjo y Praises Kuykendall sick for his last Commission meeting. Kuykendall lost his reelection bid to Ron Saferite for District III Commissioner, in May. The Commission, along with DeKalb County Administrator Matt Sharp reflected on the hard work that Kukendall had performed for DeKalb County. “I sure hope Commissioner Kuykendall is home listening to these kind words because he By Marla Jones would never believe it” Managing Editor joked DeKalb County marla@southerntorch.com Commission President, Ricky Harcrow. FORT PAYNE, DeKalb County Road Ala.-- (Full Video on Department Supervisor Southern Torch Facebook) Tom Broyles advised the The DeKalb County Commission that the Road Commission held its Department had hit a regularly scheduled snag in their reclaiming meeting on Tuesday, road projects. This is due October 11. to the 33% increase in The DeKalb County crusher run. This increase Commission planned a adds $6 more per ton. A farewell to outgoing mile of reclaiming of Commissioner Chris Kuykendall but PRAISES unfortunately, he was
>See
, P3
marla@southerntorch.com
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala.-- Leaves are beginning to change, which brings the perfect opportunity to enjoy fall in DeKalb County this weekend. The 2022 Mentone Colorfest will be held on October 15 and 16, at the Moon Lake Village in Mentone. Colorfest is an annual festival presented by the
Payne, the last Third Saturday Downtown of the 2022 season will be held this Saturday, October 15. The event will be from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. The free event is held every third Saturday from April to October, with the exception of September when Boom Days are held. Third Saturday features classic cars, musical entertainment, and food vendors
>See FALL, P3
PHARMACY Your Weekend Torchcast Brought to you by... SYLVANIA Rodney Williams RPH FRI. OCTOBER 14
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SAT. OCTOBER 15
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SUN. OCTOBER 16
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