Madison, Huntsville mayors pledge to work together
It cost $31.28 for the mayor of Madison, Paul Finley, and the mayor of Huntsville, Tommy Battle, to put the past behind them and promise to look ahead toward the future.
After losing a “friendly wager” on the outcome of the Bob Jones vs. Huntsville high school football game last Friday, Mayor Paul Finley purchased a Vaughan Pro’s Choice hatchet from the Home Depot located on University Drive behind Books-A-Million and Toys-R-Us in Huntsville on Thursday Nov. 20.
The two mayors plan to bury the hatchet at a ceremony sometime next week.
While this is a symbolic gesture between both cites the two cities’ leaders have already been meeting and discussing ways each municipality can benefit from working with one another.
“This is a symbol of two cities working together,” Battle said. “And, we are going to be working together.”
Finley alluded to a major project that would border both cites and would benefit residents of both communities. He would not give details, but he said the project would be made out of concrete and that it would also have a bridge.
“We will be announcing projects, a project in particular, that means something significant to Huntsville and Madison,” Finley said.
The two mayors visited with Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom earlier that morning to talk about roads and other projects that would benefit both areas.
Finley said in order to make a difference in the community and take all of North Alabama to the “next level,” then both cities need to come together and speak as one unified voice.
“That’s the biggest thing we can do is provide for our community,” Battle said.
Battle also said he feels there are many ways the two cities can work together. He gave examples of road projects for Old Madison Pike and other shared services where both cities pay their half, and give taxpayers a bigger benefit. Finley said the biggest benefit that Madison residents receive from working with Huntsville is a seat at more tables where people discuss what is going to happen in North Alabama.
