By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Jada Winston, Miss Iron City 2025 and a Pelham resident, addressed the Pelham City Council and the public during a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 16.

Winston will represent Birmingham, and Pelham by extension, in the Miss Alabama pageant that begins on Wednesday, June 25. She has been an active community member since her youth, cheering at Pelham High School and graduating from Youth Leadership Shelby County.

“It’s definitely exciting to be able to represent Pelham and the Iron City,” Winston said. “I’m really excited to be able to not just be a pageant girl, but really spread my mission.”

Winston’s mission is to help eliminate the scourge of food insecurity through the Bread of Life community service initiative.

“One in four people in Alabama are food insecure right now,” Winston said. “That’s a very high statistic, and it’s scary to know that there are people every single day, especially in our own community of Pelham, who are going hungry.”

Winston concluded her address to the council by acknowledging the myriad challenges of the pageant world.

“It’s been a lot, but it’s been a blessing to say the least,” Winston said. “Without this platform to be able to empower women… it’s just an amazing opportunity.”

Jada’s mother, Martina Winston, also addressed and thanked the council for their support of her daughter.

“I know I do a lot for this community and this city, but that’s not what this is about,” Martina said. “This is a mother saying ‘Thank you’ for supporting us and everything that we do. The rallying behind my daughter and my family just means so much to me.”

During the work session before the council meeting, heard an update on the Eagle Cove Sewer Lift Station, which has been proposed to be transferred to the city of Pelham for maintenance.

“The work (on the station) is anticipated to be in the ballpark of about $180,000,” said Justin Smith, assistant city manager.

Brian Cooper, the director of Pelham Parks and Recreation, also addressed the council regarding the cancellation of the 2025 Pelham Palooza, indicating that the event will not be rescheduled.

“Weather is weather,” Cooper said. “We do 24 to 25 events a year, so we’re probably going to lose some. Unfortunately, this is a big one.”

Cooper later said that the event was budgeted for $40,000, with $21,000 already being paid out before the cancellation.

“I know that’s a lot of money,” Cooper said. “I apologize for that, the decision (to cancel) was mine.”

2025 marks the second consecutive year of Pelham Palooza’s cancellation due to weather. After further discussions in the work session, the council then moved to a formal meeting beginning at 7 p.m.

The council approved the following items on the consent agenda:

• Resolution for consideration to accept the lowest responsive and responsible bid from Five Star Painting for a public works project for interior painting services at the Pelham Police and Court Building. This project was budgeted for fiscal year 2025
• Resolution for consideration to authorize and accept Supplemental Agreement No. 1 for the certain engineering services for the Pelham Greenway Trail, Phases 3 and 4. This project was budgeted for fiscal year 2025
• Resolution for consideration to approve an underground utility easement agreement with Alabama Power Company associated with the Edgars’ Bakery Construction Project located at 2428 Pelham Parkway, Pelham, Alabama 35124

During his report to the council, Mayor Gary Waters proclaimed June 2025 as Scleroderma Awareness Month and commemorated the 250th anniversaries of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps.

Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes hardening of the skin, connective tissues and internal organs. An estimated 300,000 Americans live with scleroderma, and the disease can also create cardiovascular problems, rheumatoid arthritis, swallowing disorders, lupus and more.

Council President Maurice Mercer spoke about the impact the disease has had on his family’s life.

“In November of 2013, I lost my mother from complications of this disease,” Mercer said. “I thought I had more time, and so I always encourage people, that if your parents are still living, call them.”

City manager Gretchen DiFante then reflected on the passing of Birmingham Bulls team president Joe Stroud, who died at 53 on Wednesday, June 11.

“Joe always wanted to make things better,” DiFante said. “He was always connecting people. He loved the Bulls… He loved big, he smiled big and man did he have a big laugh.”

Harry “Skip” Mize was then introduced by Bill Blank as the newest commander of American Legion Post 555 during public comments at the meeting.

“I live right here in Pelham, and I’ve only been a member of the American Legion for about three years,” Mize said. “I’m proud to be a member.”

The meeting closed with public announcements:

• Qualifying for the 2025 Pelham Municipal Election concludes promptly at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24. For questions, contact city clerk/treasurer Jonathan Seale
• Pelham City Offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth
• The city of Pelham will host its annual Fire on the Water celebration in partnership with Oak Mountain State Park on Thursday, July 3. The event begins at 5 p.m. with activities, music, food trucks and more. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Gates will close promptly at 7 p.m. to allow ample time for everyone to make their way to the beach before the show.
• Pelham City Offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.