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Piedmont Housing Authority
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July 2010
The Piedmont City Council meeting last Tuesday included some business but the highlight of the night was the recognition of sixteen students who reside in the Piedmont Housing Authority by Mayor Brian Young.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority introduced ten students of sixteen who were recognized by the local Authority and the Mayor. These students were recognized for making the honor roll for the entire school year for 2009-10 at Piedmont City Schools.
The students were taken to the Piedmont City Council meeting by Word in a limousine compliments of Mr. Bryan Folsom of Folsom's Funeral Home's Memory Chapel and Heritage Chapel. Each student received $25.00 in Piedmont McDonalds gift coupons compliments of the Piedmont Housing Authority by both Keith Word and Mr. Walter Prater, Chairman of the Board of the Piedmont Housing Authority. Mayor Brian Young placed a medallion around the neck of each student that had their name engraved on the back with A-Team 2010 also compliments of the Piedmont Housing Authority. Pictures were made of the students by the news media as well as the parents and grandparents of the students. The students were then taken to the Piedmont McDonalds where they were treated to ice cream, milk shakes, or sundaes compliments of Word and the Piedmont Housing Authority.
One student, Jonathan Wayman, was recognized for making the honor roll for four years in a row with a five foot trophy.
The students recognized on the front row were: Jonathan Wayman, Taffanie Ningsanont, Makala Amberson, Mason Wayman, Tamiya Spears, and Tra'Shawn Swain. The second row recognized were: Christopher Smith, Silas Thompson, Hunter Heitz, and Celeste Wilson. The third row consisted of Mayor Brian Young, Chairman of the Board Walter Prater, and local Housing Authority Executive Director Keith Word.
Students who made the honor roll for the entire year but not able to attend the Piedmont City Council meeting were: Cory Brothers, Kevin Brothers, Emily Jones, Kimothe Perry, Jaiden Cantrell, and Courtney McNew.
Word also advised the Housing Authority families, children, and youth would be treated to a end of summer pool party on Sunday, August 8th from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. at the Clyde H. Pike Civic Center with Life Guards, pizza, soft drinks, and music provided by Keith Word who also is a Disc Jockey when not at work at the Piedmont Housing Authority.
July 2010
The Piedmont Housing Authority Executive Director was recently recognized by the Piedmont Disabled American Veterans Chapter #21 in Piedmont for his support of the local chapter for many, many years.
Word who has served at the Piedmont Housing Authority now for almost twenty one years, takes care of most of the local Disabled American Veterans Chapters "Master of Ceremonies" and "Disc Jockey" events.
Word has been providing his music, equipment, and MC & DJ abilities for over the past twelve years. Word like most Piedmont groups, has never charged any of the local groups for any of his services since he feels it is part of his community service. Word also said that his Board of Commissioners gives him their full support to be a community servant and he takes great pride in all that he gets to do in Piedmont while representing the City of Piedmont and the Piedmont Housing Authority.
Word served as Master of Ceremonies for the World War II and Travis Ivey recognition program held on Saturday, July 17th. Mayor Brian Young presented a resolution to Brother Travis Ivey on behalf of the City of Piedmont and the Piedmont City Council. Councilman Eddie Baldwin and Bill Baker were present for the ceremony.
Other special guest were Calhoun County Probate Judge Alice K. Martin, Anniston Attorney and candidate for Circuit Court Judge Debra Jones, District 40 candidate Rickey Whaley, Pat Daughtery, State Commander of the Women's Auxillary, State Jr. Vice Commander Bob Pearl, State Commander of the DAV Rickey Freeman, and Margaret Smith representing U. S. Congressman Mike Rogers office in Washington D.C. and Anniston, Alabama.
The Piedmont Disabled American Veterans Women's Auxillary group prepared food for the reception after the program. Each of the twelve World War II Veterans introduced themselves and gave a brief testimony about their time in the United States Military. Their was standing room only during the celebration and most of Brother Travis Ivey's family were on hand for the presentation of the resolution by Mayor Brian Young. According to State Commander Rickey Freeman, Ivey will be recognized in Birmingham on Veterans Day, November 11, 2010 and will ride in the Veterans Parade.
Pictured with Housing Director Word is the local DAV Commander J.R. Smith and State Commander Rickey Freeman.
July 2010
The Piedmont Housing Authority has been recognizing students that reside in the housing communities since 2002, who work hard to make academic excellence. Each nine weeks the Piedmont Housing Authority recognizes any student from the first through twelfth grade who make either all A’s, all A’s & B’s, or Perfect Attendance for each nine week period. Then the students, who truly excel and make this list for the entire year, are treated to several special treats.
The first is a year end field trip and this year was no exception for these outstanding students. Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority, recently recognized thirty seven (37) students who made the honor roll or perfect attendance for the fourth nine week reporting period. For year end, Word reported that sixteen (16) students made the honor roll or perfect attendance the entire school year for 2009-10. Word and his wife Kathy took the students who could make the trip to the U. S. National Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville on Friday, July 9th. Word said he had three students who were sick, two out of town spending the summer with their father, and five students playing or participating in All Stars Baseball or Softball. Six students were treated to a very fun day.
The day started out at the Piedmont Housing Authority office where each student was given a neon green tee shirt with Piedmont Housing Authority Honor Roll 2009-2010 on the front and BEST OF THE BEST on the back of the tee shirt. Then the students were treated to breakfast at the Piedmont McDonalds. While at McDonalds, one student lost a tooth and Word said he could not get the parents on their cell phone since they were out of town, so he called Dr. Staley Colvert who checked the student and said he was fine; but sent some gauze with Word just in case he started having any problems. Word said that he was very grateful to Dr. Colvert and his staff for taking good care of his youth.
Then to Huntsville - the students traveled with Word and his wife and enjoyed the many rides both outside and inside of the Space & Rocket Center Park. The kids were treated to lemonade or snow cones both that morning and afternoon due to the extreme heat. The students enjoyed lunch at the Space & Rocket Center and more rides in the afternoon. The last part of the trip was the gift shop where each student was allowed to purchase up to $25.00 in souvenirs to take home as part of their reward of attending the trip to the U. S. Marshall Space Flight Center. The students then traveled back home and was treated to dinner at Ryan’s Steak House in Boaz and were allowed to the many kinds of deserts after they had a healthy dinner. Word and his wife then took each of the students home and Word received a great big hug from each of the kids. Word said this is what his job is all about; helping those less fortunate have a better quality of life whether a senior citizen, a child or youth. Word praised his Board of Commissioners for allowing him to take care of the children and youth and his staff for taking care of the office daily operations so he could take the year end winners to Huntsville. Word also praised the Piedmont McDonalds Mr. & Mrs. David Neisler, and Managers Pam Traywick and Lisa Evans who truly always take care of our children and youth during each nine week party.
The children and youth will be receiving a ride in limousine compliments of Folsom Funeral Home’s Heritage Chapel on Tuesday, July 20 to the Piedmont City Council meeting at 5:30 P.M. While at the City Council meeting, each student will receive a medallion with their name engraved on it from Mayor Brian Young and twenty five dollars in McDonald Gift Coupons compliments of the Piedmont Housing Authority. One student, who has made the honor roll for four years in a row, will receive a special treat during this meeting. The students will then be taken to McDonalds after the Piedmont City Council is over to be treated with ice cream. Word said these students are truly amazing how hard they work to keep their grades up each year and it is our sincere pleasure to recognize them and reward them for all their hard work for academic excellence.
Largest Group of Honor Roll Students Ever
June 2010
The largest group of Piedmont Housing Authority students was recently recognized for their academic accomplishments at Piedmont City Schools and Hokes Bluff High School.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority said he was very glad to report that thirty seven (37) students made either the honor roll or perfect attendance for the fourth nine weeks reporting period. Word stated this program has always produced the “Best of the Best” in our children and youth and they never cease to amaze me in their academic abilities. Word also praised David & Merry Neisler, owners of the Piedmont McDonalds along with Mrs. Pam Traywick and Mrs. Lisa Evans, the managers of the local McDonalds. Without these kind and loving people like the Neisler’s, Mrs. Pam, Mrs. Lisa, and the entire staff of the Piedmont McDonalds, the program would just be another program without long lasting results. The staff of the Piedmont McDonalds always treats our kids just like they are “Kings and Queens” during each and every party at the restaurant. Our children and youth know that somebody else is proud of them besides their families and our Housing Authority.
Recognized at the party were: Tamiya Spears, Breonice Edgeworth, Mason Wayman, Jaidyn Young, Cassandra DeVoe, Kevin Brothers, Hayli Bowman, Cory Brothers, Matthew Carroll, Hunter Heitz, Kimothe Perry, Jariya Densmore, Christopher Smith, Jonathan Wayman, Celeste Wilson, Kayden DeVoe, Brianna Cutts, Kristin DeVoe, Margaret Dyson, Austin Lewis, Matthew Stitts, and Montrel Houston. Those recognized but not able to attend the party was: Courtney McNew, Emily Jones, Jaden Cantrell, Alexus Murphy, Taffanie Ningsanont, Silas Thompson, Devan Davis, Danielle Loyd, Cardavion Myers, Katie Smith, Troy Hawkins, Christina Mitchell, Wesley Brothers, Emily Bruce, and Kyle Hinds.
Word stated that sixteen of the Piedmont Housing Authority students made the honor roll or perfect attendance for the entire year at Piedmont City Schools or Hokes Bluff High School. These students will be treated to a field trip to the Huntsville NASA Space & Rocket Center in July along with a limousine ride to the Piedmont City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 20th where each of the year end honor roll students will be presented a medallion by Mayor Brian Young and $ 25.00 in gift coupons from the Piedmont McDonalds by Word and the Piedmont Housing Authority.
Word said the on behalf of his entire Staff, Management, and Board of Commissioners, we are extremely proud of our children and youth for showing they can make the academic excellence that can be made by anybody else. Word said our students really are the “Best of the Best” in our city and community. Word also praised and thanked Mrs. Stephanie Steward and her two daughters for assisting with the quarterly party. Pictured with Word is Mrs. Pam Traywick, Manager of the Piedmont McDonalds.
June 2010
When most people think about the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) they think of large cities with major crime and many, many problems. Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Gadsden Resident Agency visited the Housing Authority of the City of Piedmont.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the local agency, reported this was a routine visit just to review our procedures, policies, and procurement on the ARRA (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009) Stimulus funding received by in late 2009. FBI Special Agent Dave Perkins visited on Tuesday, June 1 at 8:15 am. Word said Agent Perkins was very professional and was very familiar since he had worked two previous bank robberies in our city many, many years ago. Word answered the list of thirteen questions and had all the files on his desk ready for review for FBI Agent Perkins review.
Word reported that everything was found to be in order according to the questions, since at the time of this meeting, sixty four percent of the stimulus grant award in the amount of $379,235 had already been spent on new windows, screens, and recessing the outside hose bibs at Billy Little Homes located behind the old Springs Plant on Highway 278. The rest of the funds are currently being spent on a major plumbing job in Highland Homes. Word reported that all of the ARRA funding grant award should be expended by the end of July 2010 and he could close out this grant award.
Word stated there is an all out effort to find and stop public corruption since it is a breach of trust by Federal, State, or Local Officials – often with the help of private sector accomplices. It’s also the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority. The FBI relies heavily on public assistance in identifying potential wrongdoing by public officials and no information – no matter how seemingly insignificant it may seem is unimportant. Citizens may report concerns via the following methods: Online at: Birmingham@ic.fbi.gov and place “Public Corruption Tip” in the subject line; FBI office Public corruption Tip Line: 1-877-628-2533. The Piedmont Housing Authority management and Board of Commissioners agree with the FBI that “we have a zero tolerance policy on fraud connected to federal stimulus money”. The FBI will aggressively prosecute all cases in which that money has been wrongly used according to the press release from the Federal Bureau of Investigation of Birmingham press release on April 16, 2010 in the Birmingham news.
Word reported than many Housing agencies had already been visited by their local FBI Agency and there were several more who had contacted Word that they had either received a phone call or fax from their local FBI office. Word advised that he attended a HUD training seminar in January 2010 at the Birmingham HUD office where the U. S. Department of Justice FBI Birmingham Division Special Agent Cordell R. Spears conducted the training for the monitoring of the ARRA funding along with the HUD Office of Inspector General whose job is to visit and monitor any agency whether housing, school, or cities who received the stimulus funding to prevent abuse and fraud. Word said that he was very pleased with the visit from Special Agent Perkins and welcomed him back to the Piedmont Housing Authority office anytime in the future.
Pictured is Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority and FBI Special Agent from the Gadsden office Agent Dave Perkins.
May 2010
The Piedmont Housing Authority has made a huge effort over the past twenty years to form city, community, county, and state partnerships that benefit their residents and the low income population of the City and Community of Piedmont.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the local Authority said that we are so very lucky to have so many partners who assist us in programs and services for our housing authority residents. The McDonalds partnership has been in place for the past eight years and it has been truly wonderful for our housing students thanks to Mr. & Mrs. David Neisler, Mrs. Pam Traywick, and Mrs. Lisa Evans.
The local Authority is also partners with the City of Piedmont; the Piedmont Parks & Recreation Department; the Piedmont Bethune Center; the Piedmont Eubanks Welcome Center; and Piedmont City Schools.
Word said some of these partnerships involve the use of the authority’s fifteen passenger van for use for children, youth, and senior citizens. The partnerships with our local school system helps us with our A-Team Program (Academic Team) for our students who make the honor roll or perfect attendance for each nine week reporting period.
Other community partnerships include Calhoun County Department of Human Resources; the Community Action Agency of Calhoun County; Calhoun County Extension office of Auburn University; Family Services of Calhoun County; RSVP of Calhoun County for the Piedmont Community Chest Program; Red Cross of Calhoun County; the Salvation Army of Calhoun County; and some other local county agencies.
Word said the partnerships proved to be very successful and sometimes we just do not know what we would do without our supporters and partners. Our residents and the low income population of our city and community truly benefit from these area services and programs. We are grateful to have this kind of support for our community since Word serves on several school, city, and county groups, community organizations, and advisory councils. Word has also had the opportunity to speak at many of these community organizations over the years and has made many, many friends and supporters of the Piedmont Housing Authority.
Word is pictured in the very large group for the Community Action Agency recent partnership meeting promoting some of the programs and some of the area groups who attended this event besides Word with the Piedmont Housing Authority were: American Red Cross; Boys & Girls Clubs; Department of Health; Department of Human Resources; Eastside Head Start Center; Sylacauga City Schools; Ashland Housing Authority; City of Ashland; City of Lineville; AGL Solid Waste Disposal; East Alabama Gas District; City of Wedowee; Anniston Housing Authority; Calhoun County Board of Education; City of Anniston; Independent Reading Agency; Kid’s First Enrichment; Cleburne Baptist Association; Cleburne County Probate Judge; Word Alive International Outreach; HEARTS/Community Action Agency; Talladega Public Library; Police Department and local law enforcement agencies and most of the local Chamber of Commerce groups.
Word said it is partnerships like these who work towards making the quality of life much better for so many people and residents in Calhoun County including Piedmont.
May 2010
The Executive Director of most any State or Federal agency is no doubt a very large job. The daily responsibilities can be tiring, high pressure, and long work hours including many, many nights and weekends.
But that did not stop Douglas E. Heath from applying for the Calhoun County Department of Human Resources County Director position and being hired by the Board of Directors to lead the agency in Anniston. Calhoun County is one of the largest DHR counties in Alabama.
Heath, who was already a County Director in Randolph County, had been assisting as Deputy Director of Calhoun County for the past eighteen months. Heath was personally asked to serve in that position by Alabama State Commissioner Nancy Buckley. Heath has worked extensively and extremely hard in reorganizing the county office in Anniston under the leadership of Interim Director Mary Ashcraft of Talladega County DHR.
Pictured is Mr. Douglas E. Heath, Director of Calhoun County Department of Human Resources and Mr. Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority who also serves as the Chairman of the Calhoun County Board of Directors for the Anniston/Calhoun County office.
May 2010
The Alabama State Legislature approved HJR90 (Act 2010-35) recognizing the COPS "Fly the Blue" Campaign, which asks that every state, county, and city vehicle fly a blue ribbon during the week of May 9th to May 15th, 2010.
Concerns of Police Survivors (COPS) is an organization dedicated to helping the survivors of America's fallen law enforcement officers rebuild their lives through hands-on programs based on strong peer support.
The Alabama League of Municipalities forwarded a copy of the resolution to each of its member municipalities asking them to support this effort. Mayor Brian Young forwarded that email to all city agencies asking them to do the very same thing, support the effort.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority decided that they would place blue ribbons on the front white columns of their administration building instead of flying the blue ribbons on their automobiles.
Word said that he has been going out with the Piedmont Police Officers for over twenty years and Word simply put it, without these guys and girls, I could not effectively do my job with the few problem residents or trespassers that we do have from time to time. Each officer should be commended for their hard work and dedication to protecting our city and community without ever thinking of their personal safety first. They are truly the "Best of the Best" who protect our lives and property according to Word.
Everyone in our city should be very proud of each of our officers, our communications personnel, and our Chief.
May 2010
State Farm Insurance Agent Mike Douglas and State Farm Insurance of Piedmont and Jacksonville sponsored a "Child Safety Day" at the First Baptist Church of Piedmont on Wednesday, May 5th from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. The team from the Northeast Alabama Safe Kids performed all the child safety seat inspections and conducted the training and installation and removal.
The child safety day was held so that local residents could have their child safety seats checked for proper installation; to make sure they were not on recall or too old for the child; to make sure the child/toddler was in the correct size seat; and to make sure the parent or grandparent or other responsible adult understood the proper procedure for the installation and removal of the child safety seat. Over twenty five local residents stopped by the child safety program for inspection of their child safety seats.
Working in the almost ninety degree heat to make sure our kids were protected were team members pictured: Ron McCary, Jacksonville State University Officer Carl Preunieger, Toby Falk, Tammy Beecham, Richard Herring, and representing State Farm Insurance was Mrs. Lori Ray of the Piedmont State Farm office and Eddie Alemcar of both the Piedmont and Jacksonville State Farm Insurance. Agent Mike Douglas was traveling for business and could not be present for this event.
Others assisting with the "Child Safety Day" were Corporal Shannon Kelley of the Piedmont Police Department and Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority.
Several members of the local Piedmont Police Department stopped by the event to check on the program including Chief Steven Tidwell, Officer Sheldon Estes, Investigator Nathan Johnson, and Police Communications Supervisor Bobbi Beavers.
Mike Douglas, State Farm Insurance agent said this event is sponsored annually to help adults know the proper procedures for the installation and removal of child safety seats and that over the years the team has found many, many seats that were either too old, on recall status, or just too small or large for the toddler or child.
We at State Farm Insurance take our most precious gift, our children, very serious and want to make sure they are protected each and every day they are in their child safety seat regardless whether they are with their parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts, or anyone else. State Farm Insurance sponsored a child safety day just a few weeks ago in the City of Jacksonville. According to Douglas this is just another way that State Farm Insurance can serve our communities in both Piedmont and Jacksonville and we are very proud to do it!
The Northeast Alabama Safe Kids team puts on their program the fourth Thursday of each month at the Tyler Center located behind the Northeast Regional Medical Center Hospital in Anniston, Alabama.
May, 2010
Each nine week period the Piedmont Housing Authority recognizes their housing children and youth with $ 20.00 in McDonald’s gift coupons along with a party compliment of the Piedmont McDonalds.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the local Housing Authority, said this program has been in place since 2002. Word said the program was started to encourage children and youth to stay in school. Word on the street was that the youth could not wait till they turned sixteen to quit school. Word said the A-Team program; “Academic Team” has made a huge difference in the lives of so many children and youth over the past nine years. "We have had brothers and sisters compete against each other, sisters compete against sisters, and brothers compete against brothers. This has been truly great to be a part of for the past nine years. I always leave energized and very happy from each party when they are over with."
Word also praised the owners, David & Merry Neisler, Managers Pam Traywick and Lisa Evans, and all the staff and employees for always treating our kids like little kings and queens. When the kids arrive at the Piedmont McDonalds, they know they are loved and cared for by all the employees of the local McDonalds.
Attending the party with Word was: Kevin Brothers, Hunter Heitz, Taffanie Ningsanont, Jonathan Wayman, Tra’Shawn Swain, Mason Wayman, Hayli Bowman, Gqenazia Wilson, Celeste Wilson, Alexius Murphy, Kimothe Perry, Cory Brothers, Matthew Stitts, and Emily Jones.
Those recognized but unable to attend the party was: Jaden Cantrell, Tamiya Spears, Silas Thompson, Laura Frost, Carlie Flowers, Cardavion Myers, Christopher Smith, Jessica Dyson, and Tashera Carpenter.
Word said his entire organization was truly proud of our kids including the Board of Commissioners, Office Employees, and Maintenance Employees. They are the bright stars shining in our community and deserve all the recognition they can receive said Word.
April, 2010
Once again the Piedmont Housing Authority will be awarded the “Gold Risk Management Award” at the 2010 Annual Convention of the Alabama League of Municipalities in Mobile on Monday, May 17th, 2010.
Approximately 760 public entities participate in one or both of the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM) sponsored insurance programs which are the Municipal Worker’s Compensation Fund (MWCF) and the Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation (AMIC). The Board of Directors of both insurance programs approved the establishment of a risk management award system in 2002. Through the efforts of the Piedmont Housing Authority, employee, property, and liability losses are being minimized; and most importantly; employees and citizens are reaping the rewards of a safer workplace and community.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority, said he was extremely proud of his employees who strive each and every day to keep our property safe for each of our residents every day, while at the same time protecting themselves as well. Recipients of the President’s Risk Management Award, which included the top 5% of those members with minimal losses for a five year period, received a specially designed memento. Three additional levels of achievement – Gold, Silver, and Bronze; were also recognized. The Piedmont Housing Authority will be awarded the GOLD RISK MANAGEMENT AWARD in Mobile on May 17th, 2010.
The Alabama League of Municipalities was organized in 1935 and has served since that time as the recognized voice of the cities and towns in the State of Alabama. The primary purpose of the Alabama League of Municipalities is to promote understanding of municipal government and administration in Alabama and thereby advance the welfare of the people of this state.
April, 2010
The local Piedmont Housing Authority Director stays very busy with many, many activities in and around the City of Piedmont. The Director does more than just rent brick buildings to those less fortunate, elderly, handicapped, or elderly.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the local agency now for over twenty years, was asked to stop by the local Piedmont Head Start to take the opportunity to read to their children. Word gladly accepted the offer and read to all the students who attend the local Head Start in Piedmont located behind the old Southside Elementary School.
Word said the children were just adorable and each of the teachers so very supportive. Word not only read to the kids but asked if they knew what the Piedmont Housing Authority was; how many different kinds of fish were in the oceans; and made the reading part fun by discussing the pages one by one with the group of children.
Word said this age of children is so important that we teach them about the world around them and even more important that they get a good jump start into education to be ready for kindergarten and the first grade. Education is the key to all ages for any success in today's world said Word.
April, 2010
For Keith Word, speaking is just a very large part of his job and career. Word delivered the key note address to the Alabama Jaycee convention this past weekend at the Key West Inn. This event was hosted by Word’s home chapter, The Piedmont Jaycees,
Word was introduced by Mr. Brian Pike, Past President and Past State Administrative Vice-President of the Alabama Jaycees. Word spoke right after Piedmont City Councilman Bill Baker did the welcome on behalf of the Mayor and City Council of Piedmont and thanked them for the many years of service the Jaycees had provided to so many communities all around our country.
Word shared the many successes of his career but highlighted his Jaycee career with the top getting to visit the White House in Washington, D.C. and have United States President Ronald Reagan address each of the fifty State Presidents and his trip to Sydney, Australia while he was serving the United States Jaycees as the National Chaplin. Word’s message for about community service and friendships made along his travels for almost thirty years while serving in the Piedmont Jaycees, the Alabama Jaycees, and the United States Jaycees.
Word said that God has truly blessed him with an outstanding job and career that he truly enjoyed while having a wonderful board and staff who supported him each day. Word also thanked his family for all their support over the years and stated the he was so blessed to have more friends that most people ever deserved. Word said the Key West Inn owners and staff treated our convention members truly outstanding and provided a very affordable room rate for the many members who traveled from all around the State of Alabama.
April 5, 2010
This past Saturday night, a huge “Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt” was held at the Piedmont Sports Complex at dark. The event was hosted by the City of Piedmont Mayor Brian Young, Piedmont City Council, Piedmont Sports Complex, Piedmont Parks & Recreation Department, and sponsored by Mr. Gary Pentecost and his staff of the Piedmont H & R BLOCK office located on the Highway 278 bypass. The event was put together by long time city employee, Mr. Craig Russell who did a truly wonderful job.
Over 450 children attended the event that was broken down into four age groups: (1). 0 to 3; (2). 4 to 6; (3.). 7 to 10; (4). And 11 and up. The H & R BLOCK staff, Mrs. Leslie Williams, Mrs. Linda Donaldson, Mrs. Mary Maddox, and Mr. Gary Pentecost conducted the registration at the entrance gate into the Piedmont Sports Complex starting around 6:15 P.M. The actual Easter Egg Hunt did not start until 7:45 P.M. Jeff Formby stated that he was almost ran over by the pile of children at the gate ready to start the egg hunt at the field for the 4 to 6 year old kids. There were 3,000 eggs with filled with some kind of prize along with three camouflaged eggs on each of the four fields that had to be redeemed at the H & R BLOCK booth. The prizes for these eggs were beautiful stuffed Easter Bunny rabbits also provided by Mr. Gary Pentecost and his staff of H & R BLOCK of Piedmont. Special thanks to Mr. Paul Williams for providing the very special guest for the flashlight Easter Egg Hunt, the “Easter Bunny”.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority served as Master of Ceremonies for the event providing his equipment, music, and party lights before, during, and after the egg hunt event. Word praised Mr. Pentecost and his staff of H & R BLOCK for serving as the sponsor for the huge egg hunt and thanked Jeff Formby, Bruce Wallace, and Joey Spivey for working to get everything ready for the annual night Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. Word stated several times that everyone did a truly great job in hosting this event. Word said he had the opportunity to watch the kids and it looked like a bunch of little lighting bugs running around all four of the fields and it was truly outstanding to watch.
Special thanks also to the Ladies of the Piedmont Garden Club for decorating the gazebo in the downtown Piedmont area with Easter Eggs. Word said these ladies take a lot of time and put a lot of pride into that gazebo and everyone should appreciate their hard work and dedication for our beautiful city and community.
March 2010
Dr. Seuss week is traditionally celebrated each year during the first week of March. Most elementary educators strive to bring in guest readers for this week long celebration and the Piedmont Housing Authority Director was included in that list of special guests.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority, spent time in the second grade classes at Spring Garden Elementary School. Word read to Mrs. Sabrina Reedy's class and Mrs. Mary Maddox's class. Word talked about Dr. Seuss week and shared stories with the students in Mrs. Maddox class about the special or unique places that he had traveled over the years.
Word shared pictures with the kids of his visit to the White House. He was there because he was one of the fifty State Presidents in the United States Jaycees and he heard President Ronald Reagan speak. Word talked about his trip to Sydney, Australia and showed pictures of his wife holding a koala bear. Word told about his many trips to Washington, D.C. seeing Arlington National Cemetery; the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; The Capitol and many other historical sites. Word shared his picture and picture of meeting President George Bush; his picture with Charles Barclay of Leeds, Alabama; and visits with U. S. Senators Richard Shelby, Howell Heflin, and U. S. Congressman Bill Nichols. The students seemed to enjoy the special stories of Word's travels over the years.
Mrs. Maddox class was completed with Word dancing with Annabelle Hill as she demonstrated her dance moves with the class with music from the 1960's and 1970's. Word said he truly enjoyed the visit so much with the kids. They were just great and so fun to be with. I can see why teachers or educators enjoy their careers so much Word said!
March 2010
With money so tight in today's market, the Piedmont Housing Authority is making the most of every dollar they receive.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority, said he was pleased to report that Billy Little Homes received almost $ 200,000 in HUD stimulus funding that enabled the agency to make some major improvements.
Word said with the funding, the local agency was able to remove and replace over 1,000 windows with new double insulated windows and new 0.28 gauge steel security screens for all fifty apartments located behind the old Springs Plant off Highway 278. Word also reported their was enough funding to remove the outside hose bibs and have them recessed under a lock box for the agency's maintenance department to be able to utilize them when turning around a vacant apartment.
Word said the new windows replaced old storm windows that had been in place since the property was built in 1980 and most of the windows were very foggy or cloudy due to the interior of the windows being so old and broken. The new security screens just adds more protection for our residents since they are made of 0.28 gauge steel. The recessed hose bibs will conserve water since the agency pays the water bills for the residents who reside on this property.
Word said he was very pleased with the additional funding and that we were able to help our residents reside in a more energy efficient apartment with the new windows. They look good and should last a very long time.
Word said there was a second phase of the HUD stimulus funding for all the apartments in Project AL-110-002 where the old tericota sewer pipe will be removed and replaced with new PVC pipe. This should eliminate so many sewer stop-ups for our maintenance department to have to deal with. Word said this part of the stimulus funding should be completed around the end of June of this year.
February 2010
The second nine week period at Piedmont City Schools is now come and gone but not without twenty seven (27) Piedmont Housing Authority students being recognized for their academic excellence by the local Authority and Piedmont McDonalds.
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority, said he is always proud of his kids who work hard to make the A-Team (Academic Team) and is very proud to recognize them with the McDonalds party compliments of Mr. & Mrs. David Niesler, Owners, Mrs. Pam Traywick, Manager, and Mrs. Lisa Evans, Assistant Manager. Word said this partnership with McDonalds has really been a true blessing for our agency and our kids and youth.
Pictured with Word attending the party are: Tamiya Spears, Mason Wayman, Matthew Carroll, Taffanie Ningsanont, Jonathan Wayman, Hayli Bowman, Hunter Heitz, Carl Myers, Cardavion Myers, Christopher Smith, Celeste Wilson, Austin Lewis, Matthew Stitts, Emily Jones, Crystal Carroll, Trevaughn Carpenter, and Treavius Carpenter.
Recognized but not able to attend the second nine-week party were: Jaden Cantrell, Tra-Shaun Swain, Kimothe Perry, Kevin Brothers, Cory Brothers, Alexus Murphy, Silas Thompson, Demestress Jackson, Carlie Flowers, and Tashera Carpenter.
Word said it is always a real pleasure and treat to be at the Piedmont McDonalds with these outstanding students. Some times I just want to take them all home with me said Word. They are indeed the "Best of the Best" in housing and we are always so very proud of their hard work and accomplishments.
January 2010
The Calhoun County Sheriff's Department sponsors a weekly television show on TV-24 called "Calhoun County's Most Wanted. A couple of Piedmont residents recently appeared on this show but not because they were wanted by the "Most Wanted."
Keith Word, Executive Director of the Piedmont Housing Authority and Ben Singleton of the City of Piedmont, recently appeared on TV-24 "Most Wanted" show to promote Piedmont. Word stated that he was contacted by Calhoun County Sheriff's Department Deputy Jon Garlick about appearing on the show to promote the Annual Christmas Parade of Champions and the Piedmont City School System High School Football Championship.
Word said both he and Singleton promoted the City of Piedmont, the Piedmont Housing Authority, and was able to share both websites during the show. Word and Singleton both said they were very appreciative to the Piedmont Mayor Brian Young and City Clerk Michelle Franklin along with the Piedmont Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for allowing them to co-chair the annual Christmas Parade and for being supportive to represent the City of Piedmont on Television 24 in Jacksonville. Both Word and Singleton were invited back by the TV-24 staff for future events that may occur in the City of Piedmont.