Public comments, appropriations dominate City Council meeting
A handful of Madison-area citizens showed up at the Madison City Council Feb. 23 to speak on the ongoing story regarding former Madison police officer Eric Parker. (File Photo)
By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer
MADISON – The first Madison City Council meeting since former Madison police officer Eric Parker’s arrest saw a couple of area citizens letting their voice be heard regarding the situation on Feb. 23 in the Council Chambers.
Dennis Stapp, who lives in the Edgewater subdivision, addressed the Council and said he feels the Madison Police Department, as opposed to the force’s disposition when he moved to the community in 1980, gives out an intimidating vibe.
“I’m disturbed by where we are going,” Stapp said, citing the department’s black uniforms and Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle as areas of concern for him.
A Toney resident also addressed the Council on the matter, voicing his support for Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey and Muncey’s character but expressing his displeasure with the situation.
City Council President Tommy Overcash and Mayor Troy Trulock reiterated that they couldn’t publicly comment due to the lawsuit filed against the City of Madison and Parker.
Both gave statements, however, that mentioned comments made by Madison residents and Indian peoples alike that distanced Parker’s actions from the City as a whole.
After the meeting, Trulock cited a Feb. 16 meeting with 26 individuals connected to the Huntsville India Association as productive conversations between the City and Indian members of the community.
In other business, the Parks and Recreation Department accepted a $75,000 appropriation of tax dollars from Madison County Commissioner Steve Haraway.
Parks and Recreation Director Kory Alfred said the money will be used for improvements at both Palmer and Dublin Parks.
Alfred also accepted $2,500 for lane ropes to be used at Dublin Pool. Tim Holtcamp, swim meet director and board member of the Madison Swim Association, attended the meeting to present $267 to the Joshua Kyle Parker Aquatic Memorial Fund after the first Kyle Parker Invitational was held Feb. 7 at Dublin Park.
Annual appropriations were also given to the Huntsville Botanical Gardens for $5,000, the Huntsville–Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau for $15,000 and to the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board for $4,500.
