By Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
Ingalls Harbor will be the launching site for a unique fishing tournament this fall.
Japanese angler Kota Kiriyama, who finished in the top 20 of last week’s Bassmaster Classic, will stage his first American Dreams tournament in the United States. The winner gets a free trip to Japan to tourney fish there.
Tami Reist, president of the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said Kiriyama loves Decatur and Wheeler Lake and felt honored Kiriyama choose the city for his special event.
Kiriyama even grabbed the microphone during a weigh-in at Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and told the crowd how much he loved Decatur, she said. He also stood by the visitors bureau’s booth during weigh-ins, signing autographs and giving away shirts, she said.
Kiriyama, who lives in Moody, previously organized tournaments in Japan in which the winners got to come to America and fish, Reist said, and Oct. 23-24 will be the first time he’s done the tournament in reverse. He arranged for Japanese television crews to tour Decatur on Wednesday to help promote the event in his home country.
“If we can get 100 anglers, we’ll be happy,” Reist said of drawing people to Kiriyama’s tournament. “And I’m sure we’ll get more than that.”
Kiriyama finished 16th in last week’s Bassmaster Classic at Lay Lake after reeling in a combined weight of 27.1 pounds. He has qualified for the event six times, including the past three years.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Meeting Notes
Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board on Thursday:
•Received $25,000 in state tourism money from state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, to help pay for the second phase of Decatur’s way-finding signs.
•Approved a resolution of support for Huntsville International Airport seeking a low-cost passenger airline.
•Reported the bureau had $49,922 in revenue in January and $44,451 in expenses for a net profit of $5,471. For fiscal 2010, bureau expenses have exceeded revenue by $34,848.
•Reported the city collected $62,041 in lodging taxes in November, an 8 percent drop compared to the same month last year. The bureau received 75 percent of it to pay for operating expenses. For the year, lodging taxes are down 26 percent.
•Reported the $2-per-room-night occupancy fee generated $32,754 in November, down 7 percent compared to the same month last year. The fee has generated $136,283 in fiscal 2010, down 17 percent from the same period last year.
•Reported 41 percent of Decatur hotel rooms were occupied in November, down 3 percent from November 2008.
•Reported the Olympic Development Program soccer training camp filled 65 room nights in January, for a $40,500 economic impact. •Reported the Governor’s Cup soccer tournament in November filled 374 room nights, for a $241,000 economic impact; the State Cup soccer tournament the same month filled 535 room nights, for a $344,000 economic impact; and the Silver Sticks hockey tournament in November filled 91 room nights, for a $53,000 economic impact.
by Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau Board on Thursday:
•Received $25,000 in state tourism money from state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, to help pay for the second phase of Decatur’s way-finding signs.
•Approved a resolution of support for Huntsville International Airport seeking a low-cost passenger airline.
•Reported the bureau had $49,922 in revenue in January and $44,451 in expenses for a net profit of $5,471. For fiscal 2010, bureau expenses have exceeded revenue by $34,848.
•Reported the city collected $62,041 in lodging taxes in November, an 8 percent drop compared to the same month last year. The bureau received 75 percent of it to pay for operating expenses. For the year, lodging taxes are down 26 percent.
•Reported the $2-per-room-night occupancy fee generated $32,754 in November, down 7 percent compared to the same month last year. The fee has generated $136,283 in fiscal 2010, down 17 percent from the same period last year.
•Reported 41 percent of Decatur hotel rooms were occupied in November, down 3 percent from November 2008.
•Reported the Olympic Development Program soccer training camp filled 65 room nights in January, for a $40,500 economic impact. •Reported the Governor’s Cup soccer tournament in November filled 374 room nights, for a $241,000 economic impact; the State Cup soccer tournament the same month filled 535 room nights, for a $344,000 economic impact; and the Silver Sticks hockey tournament in November filled 91 room nights, for a $53,000 economic impact.
by Paul Huggins, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Jehovah's Witness conventions return to Huntsville in June
By Kay Campbell, The Huntsville Times
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Jehovah's Witnesses from five states will return to Huntsville in June and July for conventions on three successive weekends, June 25-27, July 2-4 and July 9-11, officials announced Tuesday morning.
Each convention is expected to draw about 6,000 members and visitors. Each is expected to generate about $2.5 million in local sales tax.
"We thank you for bringing the tax money here -- that's important," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said in his remarks. "But more than that, thank you for bringing the people here. Your emphasis on family values reflects the family values of our city."
A disagreement over parking fees meant that members were directed to other cities in 2009. The denomination holds 358 conventions in 90 cities in the U.S.
Battle was credited for assembling a negotiating team that included local hoteliers, the city's Parking and Public Transit, the Von Braun, the Visitors Bureau and, for the first time, representatives from Decatur's Visitors Bureau.
"We are glad to be back," said Dale Moore, a church member who handles local communications, citing the beauty of Big Spring Park, the centrality of facilities and the local hospitality of motel and restaurant workers. "We love it here."
HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Jehovah's Witnesses from five states will return to Huntsville in June and July for conventions on three successive weekends, June 25-27, July 2-4 and July 9-11, officials announced Tuesday morning.
Each convention is expected to draw about 6,000 members and visitors. Each is expected to generate about $2.5 million in local sales tax.
"We thank you for bringing the tax money here -- that's important," Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said in his remarks. "But more than that, thank you for bringing the people here. Your emphasis on family values reflects the family values of our city."
A disagreement over parking fees meant that members were directed to other cities in 2009. The denomination holds 358 conventions in 90 cities in the U.S.
Battle was credited for assembling a negotiating team that included local hoteliers, the city's Parking and Public Transit, the Von Braun, the Visitors Bureau and, for the first time, representatives from Decatur's Visitors Bureau.
"We are glad to be back," said Dale Moore, a church member who handles local communications, citing the beauty of Big Spring Park, the centrality of facilities and the local hospitality of motel and restaurant workers. "We love it here."
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Booze ballot battle
Are Sunday liquor sales good for the economy or another road to perdition? You’ll decide
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The date is set and the lines drawn. On April 13, Decatur voters will decide whether to become the 13th location in Alabama to allow Sunday alcohol sales.
On one side are businesses and economic organizations arguing Sunday sales translate to more revenue for the city. On the other are some religious leaders and conservative citizens concerned that legalizing Sunday sales could mean increased alcohol consumption.
The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce stands on the pro-sale side — now.
“Locally, this is probably in the top one or two things we want to get done because of the amount of money we are losing to other counties,” said John Seymour, chamber president. “We have talked about this issue for five or six years.”
Seymour said some prospective restaurants drop Decatur from consideration because of the lack of Sunday sales. Approving the alcohol sales would attract top-of-the-line restaurants and bolster existing restaurants, Seymour said.
“We have talked to enough restaurants in town to know they are very interested and supportive of this,” he said.
While permitting alcohol in eating establishments would benefit restaurants, it would not create a substantial revenue impact for the city. On-premises sales account for at most 10 percent of the city’s alcohol revenue, Seymour said.
Restrictions
Whether the Decatur City Council restricts Sunday sales to on-premises only could determine whether the chamber continues to support the measure.
“Off-premise sales account for 90 to 95 percent of all alcohol sales,” Seymour said. “If they (the City Council) want on-premise only, then we may not be interested anymore or support this as strongly. It is not a significant enough impact for the city.”
The City Council must hold a public meeting announcing any regulations or restrictions to Sunday sales at least 10 days prior to the vote.
According to Alabama’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, of the eight counties and four cities that have legalized Sunday sales, only two restrict purchases to on-premise sites.
Along with the Chamber, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau endorsed the referendum. Both organizations, focused on bringing people to Decatur, whether permanently or temporarily, have pursued Sunday alcohol sales since 2005.
While the Chamber and the CVB promote the potential businesses and conventions Sunday sales could lure to Decatur, dissenters present a moral argument against the referendum.
‘Never the answer’
Mike Nix, minister at Beltline Church of Christ, sided with the opposition.
“I know alcohol is never the answer, and it certainly contributes to problems,” Nix said. “I’m certainly not in favor of encouraging further alcohol consumption.”
The Rev. Karockas Watkins at Emmanuel Church International did not support or oppose the referendum.
“I’m not for it but I’m not in opposition either or protesting against it,” Watkins said. “Every day is a sacred day and, actually, Saturday, historically in religion, is more of a sacred day.”
Although individuals, including Nix, Mayor Don Stanford and Councilmen Roger Anders and Gary Hammon, are morally oppose to Sunday sales, no organized effort against the referendum has emerged.
Southside Baptist Church Pastor Ben Hayes said leaders in most churches will probably speak out against the referendum but an organized opposition is unlikely.
“With the time frame, there just is not a lot of time to try to organize,” Hayes said. “But for the most part, we, as Southern Baptists, are against the purchase and use of alcohol on any day but especially Sunday, the Lord’s Day.”
If approved, Decatur would be the first wet city in a dry county to permit sales on Sundays. Passage of the referendum would allow alcohol sales citywide, excluding portions of the city located in Limestone County, after 12 p.m.
Even if the referendum passes, after the vote, the City Council must pass an ordinance legalizing Sunday sales.
Although in opposition to the issue, Stanford, Anders and Hammon said voters should decide if they want to expand Decatur’s alcohol availability.
In 51 days the voters will decide and cast ballots either joining the Chamber of Commerce and the CVB or some religious leaders and conservative individuals.
By Catherine Godbey, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The date is set and the lines drawn. On April 13, Decatur voters will decide whether to become the 13th location in Alabama to allow Sunday alcohol sales.
On one side are businesses and economic organizations arguing Sunday sales translate to more revenue for the city. On the other are some religious leaders and conservative citizens concerned that legalizing Sunday sales could mean increased alcohol consumption.
The Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce stands on the pro-sale side — now.
“Locally, this is probably in the top one or two things we want to get done because of the amount of money we are losing to other counties,” said John Seymour, chamber president. “We have talked about this issue for five or six years.”
Seymour said some prospective restaurants drop Decatur from consideration because of the lack of Sunday sales. Approving the alcohol sales would attract top-of-the-line restaurants and bolster existing restaurants, Seymour said.
“We have talked to enough restaurants in town to know they are very interested and supportive of this,” he said.
While permitting alcohol in eating establishments would benefit restaurants, it would not create a substantial revenue impact for the city. On-premises sales account for at most 10 percent of the city’s alcohol revenue, Seymour said.
Restrictions
Whether the Decatur City Council restricts Sunday sales to on-premises only could determine whether the chamber continues to support the measure.
“Off-premise sales account for 90 to 95 percent of all alcohol sales,” Seymour said. “If they (the City Council) want on-premise only, then we may not be interested anymore or support this as strongly. It is not a significant enough impact for the city.”
The City Council must hold a public meeting announcing any regulations or restrictions to Sunday sales at least 10 days prior to the vote.
According to Alabama’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, of the eight counties and four cities that have legalized Sunday sales, only two restrict purchases to on-premise sites.
Along with the Chamber, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau endorsed the referendum. Both organizations, focused on bringing people to Decatur, whether permanently or temporarily, have pursued Sunday alcohol sales since 2005.
While the Chamber and the CVB promote the potential businesses and conventions Sunday sales could lure to Decatur, dissenters present a moral argument against the referendum.
‘Never the answer’
Mike Nix, minister at Beltline Church of Christ, sided with the opposition.
“I know alcohol is never the answer, and it certainly contributes to problems,” Nix said. “I’m certainly not in favor of encouraging further alcohol consumption.”
The Rev. Karockas Watkins at Emmanuel Church International did not support or oppose the referendum.
“I’m not for it but I’m not in opposition either or protesting against it,” Watkins said. “Every day is a sacred day and, actually, Saturday, historically in religion, is more of a sacred day.”
Although individuals, including Nix, Mayor Don Stanford and Councilmen Roger Anders and Gary Hammon, are morally oppose to Sunday sales, no organized effort against the referendum has emerged.
Southside Baptist Church Pastor Ben Hayes said leaders in most churches will probably speak out against the referendum but an organized opposition is unlikely.
“With the time frame, there just is not a lot of time to try to organize,” Hayes said. “But for the most part, we, as Southern Baptists, are against the purchase and use of alcohol on any day but especially Sunday, the Lord’s Day.”
If approved, Decatur would be the first wet city in a dry county to permit sales on Sundays. Passage of the referendum would allow alcohol sales citywide, excluding portions of the city located in Limestone County, after 12 p.m.
Even if the referendum passes, after the vote, the City Council must pass an ordinance legalizing Sunday sales.
Although in opposition to the issue, Stanford, Anders and Hammon said voters should decide if they want to expand Decatur’s alcohol availability.
In 51 days the voters will decide and cast ballots either joining the Chamber of Commerce and the CVB or some religious leaders and conservative individuals.
UAH softball team takes tournament field wearing black
By Nancy Glasscock, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The UAH softball team returned to competition Saturday at Wilson Morgan Park wearing black uniforms and blue ribbons in memory of victims of the campus shootings eight days earlier.
University of Alabama in Huntsville coach Les Stuedeman estimated 60 percent of the college’s softball players had been taught by professors involved in the tragedy. Of the UAH biology department’s 14 members, three were killed, three were wounded and a seventh was jailed.
Stuedeman described the mood on campus as “a lot of shock and disbelief,” and said sports can be a comfort to students after a tragedy.
“We’re lucky in a way because we have something else to focus on,” she said. “I’ve always seen athletics as a gift in times of sorrow because you have something else to put energy into that helps you cope.”
Saturday’s games were the team’s first since the Feb. 12 shootings. The school suspended athletic activities for a week after the tragedy.
Chris Jones, mother of Columbus State University third baseman Carrie Jones, said she hopes this weekend’s Charger Chillout allows UAH players to “break away emotionally.”
“You feel so badly for them because you know they’re struggling emotionally,” she said.
UAH sports information officials barred the school’s players from speaking to the media. Players’ parents said that while the shootings mentally hurt the team, players seemed emotionally strong and focused. Kevin Mackay said his daughter Abby, who plays third base, hadn’t expressed concern about school safety.
“You go to college to learn, to get a degree and gain employment,” said Kevin Mackay. “You can’t be afraid of that.”
Millie Johnson, whose daughters Kellie, a shortstop, and Krystal, a catcher, said Stuedeman encouraged the team with a heart-felt speech early last week.
“I still think it’s a great school,” Johnson said. “It was just one of those things that could happen anywhere, any time.”
UAH won all three of its games Saturday, defeating Barry 8-0, Ferris State 8-2 and Columbus State 6-5. The Chargers play two more games in the tournament Sunday.
UAH professor Amy Bishop is being held without bond on charges of capital murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings.
The UAH softball team returned to competition Saturday at Wilson Morgan Park wearing black uniforms and blue ribbons in memory of victims of the campus shootings eight days earlier.
University of Alabama in Huntsville coach Les Stuedeman estimated 60 percent of the college’s softball players had been taught by professors involved in the tragedy. Of the UAH biology department’s 14 members, three were killed, three were wounded and a seventh was jailed.
Stuedeman described the mood on campus as “a lot of shock and disbelief,” and said sports can be a comfort to students after a tragedy.
“We’re lucky in a way because we have something else to focus on,” she said. “I’ve always seen athletics as a gift in times of sorrow because you have something else to put energy into that helps you cope.”
Saturday’s games were the team’s first since the Feb. 12 shootings. The school suspended athletic activities for a week after the tragedy.
Chris Jones, mother of Columbus State University third baseman Carrie Jones, said she hopes this weekend’s Charger Chillout allows UAH players to “break away emotionally.”
“You feel so badly for them because you know they’re struggling emotionally,” she said.
UAH sports information officials barred the school’s players from speaking to the media. Players’ parents said that while the shootings mentally hurt the team, players seemed emotionally strong and focused. Kevin Mackay said his daughter Abby, who plays third base, hadn’t expressed concern about school safety.
“You go to college to learn, to get a degree and gain employment,” said Kevin Mackay. “You can’t be afraid of that.”
Millie Johnson, whose daughters Kellie, a shortstop, and Krystal, a catcher, said Stuedeman encouraged the team with a heart-felt speech early last week.
“I still think it’s a great school,” Johnson said. “It was just one of those things that could happen anywhere, any time.”
UAH won all three of its games Saturday, defeating Barry 8-0, Ferris State 8-2 and Columbus State 6-5. The Chargers play two more games in the tournament Sunday.
UAH professor Amy Bishop is being held without bond on charges of capital murder and attempted murder in connection with the shootings.
College Sofball
2/21/10
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
UAH win in Charger Chillout
By staff reports
The University of North Alabama softball team got a pair of shutout victories Saturday at the UAH Charger Chillout to remain undefeated at the event. After the Lions got a no-hitter by Jennifer Sexton in a 6-0 win over Georgia College and State, freshman Laurin Watts recorded a 1-0 victory over No. 20 Wayne State at Wilson Morgan Park.
With the two wins, UNA improves to 6-4 overall and remains perfect at 5-0 in the Chillout. The Lions will wrap up play at the event Sunday with a 1 p.m. showdown against second-ranked North Georgia and a 3 p.m. game against Northern Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Alabama-Huntsville won two games Saturday in the school’s first athletic events since the fatal shootings at the school Feb. 12.
UAH blanked Barry 8-0 on Saturday morning and then defeated Ferris State 8-2 later in the day.
UAH canceled its Friday’s games against Kentucky Wesleyan and Northern Kentucky in memory of the three professors who died in the Feb. 12 attack.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
UAH win in Charger Chillout
By staff reports
The University of North Alabama softball team got a pair of shutout victories Saturday at the UAH Charger Chillout to remain undefeated at the event. After the Lions got a no-hitter by Jennifer Sexton in a 6-0 win over Georgia College and State, freshman Laurin Watts recorded a 1-0 victory over No. 20 Wayne State at Wilson Morgan Park.
With the two wins, UNA improves to 6-4 overall and remains perfect at 5-0 in the Chillout. The Lions will wrap up play at the event Sunday with a 1 p.m. showdown against second-ranked North Georgia and a 3 p.m. game against Northern Kentucky.
Meanwhile, Alabama-Huntsville won two games Saturday in the school’s first athletic events since the fatal shootings at the school Feb. 12.
UAH blanked Barry 8-0 on Saturday morning and then defeated Ferris State 8-2 later in the day.
UAH canceled its Friday’s games against Kentucky Wesleyan and Northern Kentucky in memory of the three professors who died in the Feb. 12 attack.
Friday, February 19, 2010
UAH softball tournament games pushed back a day
Tournament directors pushed back one day the University of Alabama in Huntsville’s softball games in The Chillout tournament at Wilson Morgan Park.
The Chargers were scheduled to play Friday, but UAH President Dave Williams canceled all athletic events through Friday after the Feb. 12 campus shootings. UAH will hold a memorial for slain professors Friday night at 7 in Spragins Hall.
The change forces UAH to play three games Saturday and three games Sunday. The Chargers’ opener is Saturday at 10 a.m. against Berry College.
The tournament starts Friday at 10 a.m. The University of North Alabama, which now has to play three games Friday and one Sunday game, is the other area university participating. The schedule is available at http://tinyurl .com/bw9ytq.
Bayne Hughes, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
The Chargers were scheduled to play Friday, but UAH President Dave Williams canceled all athletic events through Friday after the Feb. 12 campus shootings. UAH will hold a memorial for slain professors Friday night at 7 in Spragins Hall.
The change forces UAH to play three games Saturday and three games Sunday. The Chargers’ opener is Saturday at 10 a.m. against Berry College.
The tournament starts Friday at 10 a.m. The University of North Alabama, which now has to play three games Friday and one Sunday game, is the other area university participating. The schedule is available at http://tinyurl .com/bw9ytq.
Bayne Hughes, Staff Writer, The Decatur Daily
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