By Crystal McGough, For The Tribune
IRONDALE – Mayor James D. Stewart Jr. and the Irondale City Council honored Jefferson County International Baccalaureate Irondale Campus student, Mallory Whitt, with a proclamation for her achievement of scoring a perfect 36 on her ACT.
Mallory Whitt with Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr.
“I just wanted to honor her, give her flowers, let her know how proud we are that she accomplished something that very few people around the United States and the world have accomplished,” Stewart said.
The mayor then read aloud a proclamation, which stated, “Whereas the ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States; whereas the ACT test covers four academic skill areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Scientific Reasoning; … whereas fewer than 1/3 of a percentage point of students that take the ACT each year achieve a perfect composite score of 36; and whereas Mallory Whitt, a student at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate school in the city of Irondale obtained a perfect score of 36 on her ACT test in May of 2022; Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved that I, James Douglas Stewart Jr., mayor for the city of Irondale, issue this proclamation of congratulations and honor Mallory Whitt on her academic achievements and for making the city of Irondale proud.”
Whitt, class of 2023, said that she would not have been able to achieve this accomplishment without the air of determination that is fostered in her school.
“My teachers and my peers … I don’t think that I would have the academic achievements that I do if I didn’t have them and if I didn’t have the support that I do,” she said. “I hope that’s something that other kids can have, and then maybe that 1/3 of a percent would probably be much bigger.”
The council held a public hearing concerning the appeal of Resolution 2022-R-109, denying a short-term rental business license for property located at 1901 Fourth Avenue South, Irondale, AL 35210.
The owners of the property in question, Jared Jeffries and Mia Jeffries, along with a few others, spoke in favor of the appeal. Several other citizens took the stand to speak against the appeal.
After confirming that the Jeffries’ are not currently living at the property, as they have a renter occupying the residence through the end of August, the council agreed to continue the appeal until a later date, at which time the Jeffries’ will be residing at the home.
Mallory Whitt with her parents, sister, and Mayor Stewart
Under the consent agenda, the council unanimously approved cost of living raises for city employees, retirees and public safety employees, which are to take effect in October 2022.
Classified and unclassified city employees will receive a 9% compensation increase, retirees will receive a 5% compensation increase, and municipal public safety employees will receive a 14% compensation increase.
Mayor Stewart informed the public that “I Love Irondale Day” will be July 30, and Macknally Land Design will have a table there where people can view the plans for the new Ellard Dog Park, as well as the city parks master plan.
Lea Ann Macknally, of Macknally Land Design, said that there will be interactive boards where residents can show the company their preferences for recreational amenities, parks and green spaces throughout the city.
“We have a lot to show everybody and we’re going to be rolling that out in a couple of different ways to make sure that everybody has a chance to see and comment on things,” Macknally said. “… We will be showing all of this information at the ‘I Love Irondale Day.’”
The next meeting of the Irondale City Council will be Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at Irondale City Hall, beginning at 6 p.m.
