Year in Review

The Sun looks back at some of the top stories from 2021.

Rep. Barry Moore sworn in for 117th Congress

Jan. 6 (picture 1)

United States Rep. Barry Moore was sworn in as a member of the United States House of Representatives by the House Speaker on Jan. 3. “As a veteran and a small business owner, I am humbled by the opportunity to serve my state and represent the voices of my constituents in the People’s House,” Moore said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Cooper strives to always remember where he came from

Feb. 3 (picture 2)

Enterprise Mayor William Cooper was the first person featured in The Southeast Sun’s “Celebrating Black History Month” series. The longtime band director and musician served for more than 20 years as the first African American Enterprise city councilman before being appointed mayor in 2017 and elected mayor in 2020. “I just try to be the person like my wife and I raised our children to be: humble and respectful,” Cooper said. “If you can’t help somebody, don’t hurt them.”

Enterprise hits staff ‘reset button’

March 10, March 24 and April 28

(Picture 3)

That five department head slots were unfilled was an issue addressed at the first of several strategic planning sessions held by the Enterprise mayor and city council. Department head positions being filled on an interim status were the clerk/treasurer, public works, engineering and police chief.

Noting that it was time to “set the reset button,” the mayor and council appointed Jonathan Tullos as the city’s first city administrator, longtime law officer Michael Moore as Enterprise Police Chief and longtime firefighter Chris Davis as Enterprise Fire Chief.

Barry Mott was appointed as the city of Enterprise Engineer and Director of Public Works. He is the first to hold the newly created post and brings to the table more than 25 years’ experience in civil and environmental engineering.

LeeAnn Swartz was hired as the city’s first chief financial officer/treasurer. She is a military spouse with job experience spanning two continents and nearly three decades,

Beverly Sweeney, who had served as both “assistant” and “interim” city clerk in Enterprise was officially appointed to the position of Enterprise City Clerk.

“We put a plan in place,” said City Council President Turner Townsend as the final appointment was made. “This is a huge accomplishment. It’s taken awhile but we’ve intentionally marched down that plan.”

Installation of new turf at Wildcat Stadium underway

April 7 issue (picture 4)

The process of installing the new synthetic turf coming to Wildcat Stadium at Enterprise High School began in April and was officially broken in on Aug. 20 when Bay High School, from Florida, came to town to open the 2021 season.

Enterprise has always played on natural grass in its home stadium for the 107 years of the team’s history. That all changed after EHS had its new turf installed last spring. Sports Turf Company installed the turf, which features AstroTurf Rhino Blend turf, a Brock Powerbase YSR shock pad and BrockFILL.

The AstroTurf system is a two-fiber turf system that with the BrockFILL includes a wood chip infill, rather than the rubber infill that is featured in most synthetic turfs in the state. The shock pad features large drainage channels that are expected to keep the field dry even in rainy situations along with shock-absorbing structures designed with player safety in mind.

“Enterprise High School has shown a great commitment to providing the best facilities to benefit their student-athletes,” Sports Turf Company President Todd Wiggins said.

EHS cheerleaders earn national championship

April 28 (picture 5)

The Enterprise High School Cheerleading squad are the 2021 Universal Cheerleading Association National High School Cheerleading Champions. Under the direction of coaches Carly Pollard and Mallory Foster, the squad took top honors at the 2021 Universal Cheerleading Association National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Fla.

“They are most hardworking and talented girls I have ever coached. I am so proud of them. This year goes down in history for Enterprise Cheerleading,” said Pollard, who is in her third season as head coach.

Thomas, Cobb selected as new superintendents

June 9 and July 14 (picture 6)

At a special called meeting June 3, the Enterprise City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the naming of assistant superintendent Dr. Zel Thomas as the new superintendent of the school system. Thomas—who served as ECS assistant superintendent for the past four years—was one of four candidates interviewed on May 26.

Thomas holds an associate’s degree from Wallace Community College, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Troy University, a master’s degree in education leadership from Troy and a PhD in adult education from Auburn University.

During his teaching career he’s spent time as an elementary school teacher, an assistant principal at both high school and elementary schools, a principal in both elementary and high schools, director of elementary education, student services coordinator and assistant superintendent. All of his jobs have been at schools in the Wiregrass including Ozark City Schools, Daleville City Schools, Abbeville City Schools and the last 16 years at Enterprise City Schools.

“I’m excited and so humbled,” Thomas said of being named superintendent. “I’m excited about the opportunity that’s before me to work with everyone in the system.”

At the July 8 meeting, the Coffee County Schools Board of Education approved a contract for Kelly Cobb who they had unanimously approved as the school’s newest superintendent. Serving at the time as the Coffee County Schools Federal Programs Coordinator, Cobb was selected over four candidates.

Cobb is not only a lifelong Coffee County Schools employee but she is also a product of Coffee County Schools, having graduated from New Brockton High School. Following her graduation from college, Cobb has been an elementary school teacher and reading coach at Zion Chapel, a reading coach at Kinston, assistant principal at Zion Chapel and principal at New Brockton Elementary before moving into the central office in 2015. She’s also led a number of different committees.

SBVA names new VA home

July 14 (Picture 7)

At a meeting held at the Enterprise Civic Center, the Alabama Board of Veterans Affairs announced that the state’s fifth veterans home, planned to built in Enterprise, is the Command Sgt. Maj. Bennie Adkins Veterans Home in honor of the Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.

At an Alabama State Board of Veterans Affairs public meeting held July 9 at the Enterprise Civic Center, the SBVA selected the name by majority decision for the new 182,000 square feet facility that will house 175 residents.

The site of the facility will be on 108 acres off Highway 51 just north of Yancey Parker Industrial Park. Once in full operation, it is expected to provide jobs for more than 200 people.

Council OKs entertainment district

July 28

The Enterprise City Council approved an ordinance naming a one-half mile by one-half mile portion of Main Street downtown as an “Entertainment District.”

The entertainment district will be in effect between the hours of 11 a.m. until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 5 until 11 p.m. on other days of the week. The district will not be in effect on Sundays.

An entertainment district designation allows customers to take an open container of alcohol outside of an establishment, as long as the customer stays within the limits of the district. The ordinance prohibits a consumer from entering a licensed premises with an open or closed container of alcoholic beverages acquired elsewhere.

“I just want to make sure that everybody understands that this is an effort to help our current businesses and to also help recruit businesses as well as lifting up the tax revenue,” Enterprise Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Erin Grantham said.

ESCC announces new athletics, academic programs

Oct. 20 (picture 8)

Enterprise State Community College held a press conference on Oct. 15 to announce the addition of five new athletic programs and three new academic programs at the school. The new sports included the addition of a women’s volleyball team, men’s and women’s golf teams and men’s and women’s cross country teams.

These new sports will bring with them 50 new full athletic scholarships, to include eight scholarships for each golf team, 10 scholarships for each cross country team and 14 scholarships for the volleyball team.

“It’s all about creating opportunities for our students,” ESCC President Matt Rodgers said. “Athletics are important for a lot of communities and we’re recruiting communities, not just individuals.”

New parking lot ready in time for Christmas events

Nov. 24

About 75 parking spaces are added to the parking downtown Enterprise with the completion of a parking lot located on the corner of Lee Street and Edwards Street behind the downtown Yancey Parker Building.

The new parking lot, finished in time for the Christmas Parade Nov. 30, coincided with the implementation of a new city ordinance prohibiting cars from parking on certain streets before, during and after some downtown events.

The new parking lot, which cost $150,000, was made possible through a partnership with a local property owner who wanted to put the vacant lot to better use and agreed to lease the lot to the city for development of additional downtown parking.