HOBSON CITY – Among the individual goals Town Council members discussed in a Monday workshop, infrastructure improvements remained at the top of nearly everyone’s list. The combined list is varied, and it will take many sources of money – from grants to local funds – to pay for it all, the council and Mayor explained as they discussed each item during a workshop. Susie Jones, chair of the town’s Parks and Recreation Committee, asked for installation of Plexiglas windows and exterior doors at the field house at the youth sports football field, and for repair of the restrooms there. Chair of the Water and Sewer Committee, Joe Cunningham plans to change numerous leaking water meters throughout town. About 60 water meters were replaced in previous years, and there may be a grant available to pay for replacement of more, Hobson City Mayor Alberta McCrory said. The town’s water tower needs to be refurbished, McCrory said, and an old estimate on that work will have to be redone. Additionally, regular maintenance needs to be done on the water pump next to the tower, she said. An arch welcoming people to Hobson City is something Councilwoman Deneva Barnes, chair of the Streets Committee, said she’d like to see built in the coming months. A beatification board could help in that effort, Barnes said. She’d like to start such a board, and said it could help raise money to build the arch. O’Mildred Ball, chair of the Sanitation and License Committee, would like the town to consider buying a new, or slightly used, garbage truck to replace its aging one. Ball also asked about the possibility of increasing the town’s business license fees, and McCrory said that’s something she is currently considering. “We have a lot of people come into town doing odds and ends jobs,” Ball said, referring to contractors who work without paying for a business license through Town Hall. Freddie Striplin, chair of the Police and Public Safety Committee, remains worried about crime in recent weeks. “I’d like to restore a sense of safety on MLK,” Striplin said. Traffic is slowing after Calhoun County deputies began regular patrols last month, Striplin said, but there remains a criminal element that needs to be addressed, he explained. A dormant neighborhood crime watch program needs to be restarted, Striplin said, explaining it could help curb crimes that may be going unreported. “I think you’re going to have some help with that. The Housing Authority has already said they’d like to start their own watch,” McCrory told Striplin. Stray dogs — some of them seemingly aggressive — have become another problem Striplin said he’d like to address. McCrory said there is the possibility of contracting with Calhoun County Animal Control to pick up those animals. McCrory said more work is needed on Town Hall, housed in the town’s former elementary school. Painting is needed, as are repairs to the leaking roof, she said. “These are the things we’re going to get working on,” McCrory said. “And they’re the things we needed to hear.” The next council meeting will take place June 24 at 6:30 p.m. Staff writer Eddie Burkhalter: 256-235-3563. On Twitter @Burkhalter_Star.

Jacksonville City Schools teachers this week will begin training for the district’s plan to give each child in grades four through 12 an iPad. At the Jacksonville Board of Education’s meeting Monday, Superintendent Jon Paul Campbell said teachers will attend a series of technology workshops throughout the summer. “We are preparing for the big roll out in August,” Campbell said. Since 2011, the system has been preparing for the digital conversion project. Each parent will be charged a $50 usage fee per school year for the use of the Ipad, which according to Campbell, will hopefully increase student engagement. Students and parents will also attend iPad orientations at the end of July. "We will continually send out school announcements all summer to remind them of these trainings,” Campbell said. Campbell also announced that more than 70 Jacksonville City Schools educators attended the recent CORE Academy, which was held June 4-6 at Jacksonville State University. The regional conference trains instructors on implementing new technology in the classroom. “To be able to walk right across this street and attend this was a tremendous opportunity,” Campbell said. “We gained so much knowledge. It added a level of excitement and anticipation.” Information about the Jacksonville City Schools’ conversion can be found at the school system website at http://www.jacksonville.k12.al.us/. Also during Monday’s meeting, the board: • Held a moment of silence for employee DeAnna Long, who died in a car crash on June 10. “She had so many great ideas,” Campbell said. “It is a horrible tragedy to lose somebody. She will be missed beyond measure.” • Acknowledged the retirement of superintendent secretary Nila Nabors, who served the district for 12 years. • Approved the recommendation of two new English teachers at Jacksonville High School and one new special education teacher at Kitty Stone Elementary. • Approved the 2013-2014 Jacksonville City School salary schedule, which begins July 1. The schedule reflects a 2% state raise. The next board meeting will be held Monday, July 15. Staff Writer Katie Turpen: 256-235-3548. On Twitter @KTurpen_Star.