By Ben Flanagan

A Family Dollar discount store will begin construction in Jemison in January or February, according to a company representative who attended the Jemison City Council meeting Monday night.

The council passed three variances recommended by the city planning commission in relation to the arrival of the new business. The site will feature a 32-space parking lot near the 8,000-square-foot facility to be located on U.S. Highway 31. The council also approved the recommendation of the commission to allow the business to construct and erect two signs nearby.

The council passed an ordinance allowing the annexation of property off of County Road 135 into the corporate limits of Jemison.

The council also passed a resolution to allow Mayor Eddie Reed and the city clerk to conduct all city business and sign checks when necessary.

Bids were accepted on three separate city police cars. Those who placed the highest bids have until this Friday to pick up the vehicles. If they do not, then the cars go to the second highest bidders.

Mayor Reed and the rest of the council publicly congratulated the Jemison little league baseball team for their success in the recent Dizzy Dean tournament.

The council also passed a resolution to purchase a $700 advertisement in The Clanton Advertiser’s annual high school football preview magazine.