Public commenters invite commissioners to Selma-to-Montgomery commemorative events and request county proclamation for Rivers of Alabama Day

During the public-comment period, Allison Holland and representatives of Friends of the Alabama River asked commissioners to support two upcoming events tied to regional history and river conservation.

Allison Holland, identifying herself with "the city of Saint Jude Parish," invited commissioners to the 60th anniversary Selma-to-Montgomery commemorative walk and to a related program at Saint Jude Parish. "Our doors will open at 11:30, and the keynote speaker will be our own, District 2, Congressman Shamari Figures," Holland said, and she added that the commemorative walk "begins at 01:00" on Sunday. Holland offered to coordinate contributions such as snack bags with county representatives.

Kathleen Kirkpatrick, who said she is an environmental engineer representing Friends of the Alabama River, requested that Montgomery County issue a proclamation recognizing April 8 as Rivers of Alabama Day and offered to provide materials. "We just ask that you have a look, consider, issuing a proclamation at your next meeting on April 1, and we can be here for that if you so choose," Kirkpatrick said. She noted the group's work with the Alabama Rivers Alliance to educate residents about water resources and asked the commission to consider the county proclamation; the clerk indicated staff member Tammy would follow up to get details.

Speakers also noted related outreach: Charles Miller (Alabama Rivers Alliance) and Andre Ivy (Southern Poverty Law Center) accompanied Kirkpatrick and said they had been working on state and federal funding advocacy for water and wastewater infrastructure.

Commissioner Costanza responded to the proclamation request, instructing Kirkpatrick to get details to Tammy; Costanza said the commission would consider the proclamation at the next meeting on April 1.