While important, city council meetings aren’t always exciting. Make a motion…minutes…resolution…second reading…pay the bills.

Monday’s council meeting in Jemison was different.

The number of people present inside the council chambers was apparent upon entering the parking lot of the city’s new Municipal Complex. Such a crowd–which never even would have fit in the old city hall, which was being used a few months ago–would normally be expected to be protesting the granting of an alcohol license or arguing against the rezoning of land.

But the Jemison residents, about 50 of them, at the meeting were mostly there for pleasant reasons.

First, Jemison Elementary School teacher Christin Starr Bashaw was recognized by the council for being named Chilton County Teacher of the Year. Next, the city’s 12-year-old all-star baseball team stood before the council and received a gift of $2,000 to help with expenses associated with a trip to the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss. this weekend.

With all the young guys in attendance and all the good news going around–state representative Jimmy Martin made donations to the baseball players and to the city’s police department–the meeting definitely had a unique feel.

In the middle of all the motions and ordinances, Jemison’s council took time to show it knows the importance of being a part of the community it serves.