Residents praise first responders and local nonprofits during Opelika public comments

Several residents used the council’s public-comment period to thank first responders, praise city programs and highlight local nonprofit supports.

Betty Daniel, who identified herself as living at 515 Foxtrot Parkway, thanked the Opelika Police Department, fire department and Opelika Emergency Services for their response to an apartment fire in January. "We appreciate it," she told the council, and said she was grateful to be alive after the incident.

Valerie Kennedy, who said she is a business owner and resident at Arbor Place Community, described help she received from the Opelika Chamber (a minority grant in 2021) and local nonprofit and volunteer groups. Kennedy thanked programs and organizations she named — including Circles of Opelika, Girl Steps and an organization she referred to as PRF — for support that helped stop evictions and assisted residents in crisis. She said the city’s partnership with these organizations "is making a difference." Kennedy also credited private donors who provided funding to her small business.

Valestine Penn (Ward 1) invited the public to a Black History luncheon for veterans at Compton Recreation Center on an upcoming Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., and asked for donations (sweatshirts and white socks) for veterans; she said donation-collection will continue through an upcoming "Tack Day" in March. Penn identified cooperating volunteers and civic liaisons who are organizing the event.

Comments were received during the council’s open-comment period; none of the remarks requested specific council action at the meeting.