Newsletters
Valentines for Veterans
Due to the positive impact of the Christmas cards delivered to the local VA hospitals, the hospital staff requested that cards be brought on Valentine's Day as well. All Pike Road residents are encouraged to write messages on cards and bring them to Town Hall by noon on February 12, 2010. Town staff will deliver the cards to the hospitals. Cards may be bought or handmade and each envelope should be addressed to "An American Veteran".
Town Brings Christmas Cheer to Local Veterans
With the help of the Chantilly Wal-Mart and a dedicated fifth grade class at Macon-East Academy (MEMA), the Town of Pike Road brought smiles to the faces of some very important Americans during the Christmas season. An online plea for Americans to send Christmas cards to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. inspired town staff members to find a way to express appreciation to veterans in the local area. Using greeting cards donated by the Chantilly Road Wal-Mart, the town made arrangements for Renee Burke's fifth grade class at MEMA to write special messages on the cards. On the day chosen for the card writing, Burke's class enjoyed three special patriotic speakers: an active duty serviceman whom the class had "adopted" while he was serving in the Middle East, life-long Cecil resident Lou Dekle and Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone. In all, the class prepared 165 cards, which were distributed at the Montgomery and Tuskegee VA hospitals.
FEMA Disaster Assistance Now Available
If you sustained losses or damage in Autauga, Elmore, or Montgomery counties during the severe storms of May 6 – 8, you may be eligible for federal and state disaster aid. Details are available here (espanol here).
Pike Road Trail Plans Gain Traction
LAUREN BOWAR
SPECIAL TO EAST MONTGOMERY
MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER
JUNE 23, 2009
Pike Road has taken a big step toward realizing a project that has been part of the vision for the town since it was incorporated more than 10 years ago.
Last week the Town Council approved a resolution allocating funds for the Pike Road Natural Trail, taking another step toward funding the project through a grant that will enhance the community as part of an overall recreational plan.
"The purpose for the recreational plan is multifaceted," Mayor Gordon Stone said. "We want to provide the opportunity for citizens to have a place to exercise and intermingle."
The Transportation Enhancement Fund, the Alabama Department of Transportation and Montgomery County officials have helped make the natural trail possible.
"Pike Road came to us asking if they could create a multipurpose trail along the right of way. We gave them permission for three or four roads. They have also been working with our engineers," County Commissioner Reed Ingram said. "Any time we can enhance walking or jogging trails, we are all supportive."
Pike Road's recreational plan includes up to 30 miles of trails.
Stone said the trail would connect traditional crossroads and towns, adding that construction would begin with a four-mile stretch from U.S. 231 to the intersection at Meriwether and Pike roads.
"We hope it will stimulate activities and help them (residents) grow closer and know each other better."
Although originally intended as a horse-riding trail, it will also be used for bicycling, walking or jogging.
"The trail will be made of a natural limestone-based surface much like pavement," Stone said. "It will be hard enough for bikes but will have much less wear and tear on knees and still be sturdy enough for equestrian use."
Stone said he thinks bidding will begin soon, as the resolution should be the last of preliminary requirements of the plan.
"We hope to start in August, and, given weather conditions, we hope to be finished with the first part in six months," he said.
Fourth of July Celebration: Parade, Music, Fun and Fireworks!
New Location for Pike Road Town Hall
May 11, 2009
The Town of Pike Road has announced the purchase of the Pike Road Station located at 9589 Vaughn Road in Pike Road. Plans are being developed to design the interior of the center space into new town hall spaces. The location is sufficient to allow for much needed expansion of office space for the fast growing town. It will also allow for the development of a civic auditorium. Infinity Architecture will be designing the interior with a plan to retrofit the existing space with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating system that guides sustainable green building practices. Pike Road intends to be a model for municipal facilities, illustrating the latest technological advancements for efficiency and access.
“The Town of Pike Road sees this purchase as moving one step closer to fulfilling our vision of developing town center locations at the traditional crossroads of the community. With the proximity to the public library and the post office, occupying the Pike Road Station allows the town to centralize many important public services. Further, the new town hall will be a center piece for what we anticipate will develop into one of the municipality’s initial first town centers. We have already initiated conversations with neighboring landowners about the exciting possibilities that may be forthcoming as a result of this move. It is a great day for the Town of Pike Road,” said Gordon Stone, Mayor.
“Having the town’s primary civic center in Pike Road Station will provide a visible and accessible public gathering place that will enhance community identity and encourage and support the voices of the citizens of our community. However, we do intend to maintain the current location and utilize it in our long-term vision for serving all of our citizens. We are looking at best-use scenarios for the current building and land,” stated Stone.
Pike Road Welcomes Wal-Mart
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Town of Pike Road
4902 Pike Road; Pike Road, AL 36064
Phone: 334.272.9883
The Town of Pike Road celebrated the beginning of 2009 by welcoming its newest and largest retail partner – Wal-Mart. On January 12, 2009, the Town of Pike Road officially annexed the Wal-Mart store on Chantilly Parkway.
Gordon Stone, Mayor of the Town of Pike Road, shared “Wal-Mart has been a friend to Pike Road since the first day the store opened its doors. We have actively worked to develop a relationship that would promote their success and, at the same time, provide a wonderful service to our citizens. With the addition of this world-wide leader in the retail sector, the Town of Pike Road, like other municipalities in the region, will experience many long-term benefits. The revenue will obviously be a great tool for the town. Further, the dollars generated are another huge step forward in the development of the much anticipated Pike Road System for Excellence in Teaching (the school).”
“As with all other progress, the town owes many thanks to the multitude of volunteers and the many hours of tireless work they give to our community. None of our amazing progress would have been possible without Divine blessings and dedicated citizens,” said Stone.
Stone added, “We enthusiastically welcome Wal-Mart and its many associates to the town and pledge our continued support of this new corporate partner.”
To show his personal appreciation to the retail giant, Mayor Stone provided Wal-Mart gift cards to the first 40 individuals in attendance. The mayor noted that he and his family purchased these and were distributing them to encourage each citizen to “go forth and shop.”
Pike Road annexes Wal-Mart on Chantilly
Jill Nolin
Montgomery Advertiser
13 Jan 2009
There are two things standing between the residents of Pike Road and their dream of starting their own school system -- people and a tax base. Town officials say they took a major step in realizing both goals Monday night as they annexed the Chantilly Parkway Wal-Mart into the town limits.
With much fanfare and applause, the Pike Road Town Council unanimously voted to annex the Wal-Mart.
Mayor Gordon Stone estimated that the annexation may double the town's annual sales tax revenue.
The annexation of Wal-Mart was possible because it is contiguous to Home Depot, which a circuit court judge has ruled is in the town limits of Pike Road. As long as that ruling stands, so can the Wal-Mart annexation.
"This has occurred not because of one person but because of the people of this town ... The volunteers who have tirelessly worked to make the town what it can be -- what it is and what it will be," Stone said just before the council voted.
As a rough estimated, Stone said he believes the annexation could mean anywhere between $600,000 to $1 million in new revenue for the town.
That's a significant leap for Pike Road -- and would have been a great help to Montgomery, which has experienced a decline in sales tax revenues over the past year and a half. Last year, Pike Road generated $579,000 in sales tax revenue; that's up from $255,000 in 2007.
Home Depot, which collected about $316,000 last year, accounts for that difference. The home improvement store was annexed into the town in August 2007, but the town didn't start taking in sales tax revenue until December 2007.
"This revenue (from Wal-Mart) will certainly be put to good use in the town of Pike Road," Stone said during the meeting.
Stone was so enthusiastic about the annexation that he purchased 40 $5 gift cards to the store to encourage those present at the council meeting to support the Wal-Mart.
Stone said afterwards that the town had been paying "visits" to Wal-Mart over the past two years and has built a rapport with the Fortune 500 company. He attributes the company's decision to that relationship, as well as Wal-Mart's appreciation for the town's vision.
"In the end, they decided it was a good fit for them," Stone said after the meeting.
A Wal-Mart representative was not present at the meeting.
Wal-Mart will begin charging 8.75 percent sales tax rate as soon as management is able to change the store's equipment.
The store has been charging an 8.25 percent sales tax rate for the past two weeks, which was necessary after the city of Montgomery passed a sales tax for the police jurisdiction last year. Prior to that, the store charged a 6.5 percent rate, which comprises the county and state rates.
An attempt to reach Interim Mayor Charles Jinright by phone late Monday night was unsuccessful.
Montgomery County Commission Chairman Todd Strange said the county is not affected by the annexation, as it will collect the same sales tax revenue whether Wal-Mart is in the town, the city or in the county.
But he does see how the move impacts the city of Montgomery.
"I would have wished and hoped that the present and future administration could have had a chance to work this. I think the results would have been different," said Strange, referring to Jinright and whoever is elected to replace former mayor and now Congressman Bobby Bright.
Strange is a candidate for mayor.
The Wal-Mart, which opened its doors April 2007, miffed the city of Montgomery when it located just outside the city limits.
Pike Road Celebrates Arbor Week
On February 9, 2009, Mayor Gordon Stone issued a proclamation establishing the week of February 22 through 29 as Arbor Week in the Town of Pike Road. In the proclamation, Mayor Stone recognized the value of trees to environmental conservation, quality of life and property values. The proclamation encouraged residents to “plant trees to gladden the heart and promote the well-being of this and future generations” during Arbor Week and throughout the year.
In conjunction with the proclamation, the Town of Pike Road received more than 100 seedlings from the Alabama Forestry Commission. Residents of the Town of Pike Road are encouraged to stop by Town Hall to pick up free seedlings to plant on their property. There is a limit of two per household, so the seedlings will go quickly! Residents should call Town Hall before stopping by to be sure there are seedlings remaining.
Please join us for a Candlelight Christmas Service
Sunday, December 21st at 6:30 p.m.
The Meeting House on Chapel Hill
The Waters, Pike Road, Alabama
Town of Pike Road Swearing In Ceremony
The Town of Pike Road officially welcomed the 2008 to 2012 Council and Mayor in a ceremony performed on November 3rd at the Pike Road Town Hall. Montgomery County Probate Judge Reese McKinney conducted the official swearing in ceremony for the five council members and the mayor of the fast growing town.
Officially accepting the responsibility of serving for four years were Mayor Gordon Stone, Council Member Wayne Rabren, Council Member Lee Tolliver, Council Member Rob Steindorff, Council Member Tommy Brassell and Council Member Chris Dunn. Councilman Brassell will be serving his first term in office while the mayor and other members of the council will serve their second terms. In addition, the council reappointed Mrs. Charlene Rabren as municipal clerk. Plus, Mr. Doyle Fuller and the law firm of Fuller and Copeland were selected to represent the town as municipal lawyers.
The room was filled with on-lookers and supporters. According to Mayor Stone, “Each person in attendance helps illustrate the historical significance of the occasion. Growing from 350 to 5000 people over the course of the last four years, the Town of Pike Road has been a real success story. People have not simply joined the town, they have become a part of the town by giving of their energy and resources.“
Stone further commented, ”It has been an honor to serve the town and to see ambitious projects like the trail network and the school tackled with such enthusiasm and community spirit. Serving with and for such dedicated people helps remind us all that we are charged with an awesome responsibility. We must keep our priorities of faith, family and others in perspective. God has truly blessed Pike Road and this evening’s ceremony reminds us all that we are to be a blessing to others.”
The Waters receives the 2008 EcoMax Green Leadership Award
 The Waters received the 2008 EcoMax Green Leadership Award on 22 August 2008 based upon out commitment to advancing techniques associated with environmentally responsible development in three primary ways:
- Planning.
- Andrew's Energy Audit.
- 2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home.
Planning.
As regards planning, the flyer explains the different methods used that were not standard operating procedure for this region when we began this development.
- Preserved hundreds of acres of parks
- Minimized grading.
- Fostered tree canopy through the preservation of trees and the planting of street trees.
- Emphasized native planting that require less water and pesticides than non-native plantings.
- No gasoline powered engines allowed on the lakes at the Waters.
- Light pollution reduction.
- Traditional architecture that is intended to be loved and maintained over the ages instead of faddish architecture.
- Built in the designated Pike Road Growth Area.
- Walkable design through a long list of design details that are listed on the flyer such as:
- narrow streets
- wide sidewalks
- beautifully detailed streetscapes
- walking trails and bike paths
- wide range of housing types within close proximity to one another
- small block size (the most important thing)
- YMCA, bank, restaurant, pool, meeting house, marina, tennis courts, basketball court are all within walking distance of all of the homes.
Andrew's Energy Audit.
As regards the Energy Audit, Andrew Gerachis did a thorough energy audit on the first homes that were built after they had been lived in for two years. He compared energy bills to the nature of the construction and the nature of the energy-saving features of each home. One result of this research was a greater emphasis on the use of spray foam insulation.
2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home.
As regards the 2008 EnergyKey Demonstration Home, the web site that chronicles its construction is found at: http://alabamagreenhouse.wordpress.com
The project is being done in conjunction with the Alabama Homebuilders Association. Its primary purpose is to advance knowledge throughout Alabama on techniques that are currently available.
The home showcases many products that are used regularly at The Waters to include:
- Metal Roofs.
- Spray Foam Insulation.
- Deep Porch that reduces heat gain.
- EnergyStar Appliances.
- Reclaimed Heart Pine Flooring.
- Tankless Hot Water Heater
It also includes many interesting projects that are not used on the majority of homes at the Waters:
- Zo-e-Shield Windows (ultra-efficient windows).
- Autoclaved Aerated Concrete
- Bluwood
- Brizo Hands-Free Kitchen Faucet
- Crossville tile that is manufactured with a heavy dose of recycled materials
- Toto plumbing features that help save water
- Georgia PacificPaperless wallboard
- No-VOC or Low-VOC paint
- LED and compact fluorescent lighting
- Interior doors that are manufactured with woods from certified forests
- High-efficiency sensor bathroom ventilation fans
Pike Road wins annexation battle for Home Depot
Montgomery Advertiser
16 Aug 2008
Pike Road scored a major victory Friday when a judge ruled that a Home Depot store was definitely a part of the town.
The home improvement retail giant on Chantilly Parkway has been the subject of a legal tug-of-war between Pike Road and the city and county of Montgomery since Pike Road annexed the store in July, 2007.
In an order handed down Friday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge William Shashy relied on an act that was signed into law on May 29 to rule that Home Depot was on Pike Road land.
Pike Road had argued that the act validated all uncontested corporate limits of municipalities drawn since 1991 through May 28. Shashy agreed.
"The annexations by Pike Road at issue in this case have been validated by Act No. 2008-481," Shashy wrote. Those annexations include the parcel on which Home Depot sits.
In July 2007, Pike Road annexed the property on which the store was built and then started collecting sales tax revenue from the store in October.
Montgomery contended that Pike Road's annexation was technically flawed. Shashy initially agreed, ruling that Home Depot was not a part of Pike Road.
But Pike Road had made two attempts to annex the parcels in two different ways in 2007, and Montgomery had only taken Pike Road to court to contest one of those methods.
After Act 2008-481 passed, Pike Road petitioned to have the court deem the litigation moot, since the second, different annexation of Home Depot had never been disputed in court.
"We're very pleased that the court ruled as (it) did," said Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone. "We felt like the legislation that was passed in May validated our corporate limits as well as 17 other towns' limits in the state of Alabama."
Attorneys for the county and city could not be reached before publication deadline Friday evening.
However Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright said the city will likely appeal.
"Once the City receives the Judge's ruling we'll review it with our attorneys. If the case is dismissed, the city will appeal it," Bright said.
Stone said he had hoped the ruling would bring an end to the legal wrangling over the Home Depot annexations.
"It's our opinion that now that the legislature has acted to put an end to this kind of dispute, that this case should have reached its final conclusion," Stone said. "We'll continue to move forward."
He said Home Depot has always been supportive and has never backed away from its commitment to Pike Road.
Judge rules Home Depot in Pike Road
Montgomery Advertiser
15 Aug 2008
In an order handed down Friday, Montgomery County Circuit Judge William Shashy has sided with Pike Road in the yearlong tug-of-war over Home Depot.
Relying on Act 2008-481, signed into law May 29, Shashy concluded that the law validated the town limits.
"The annexations by Pike Road at issue in this case have been validated by Act #2008-481," Shashy wrote. Those annexations include the parcel on which Home Depot sits.
Pike Road annexed the property in July, 2007, and started collecting sales tax revenue from the store in October. The city of Montgomery contended that the annexations were technically flawed, and Shashy initially agreed. When Act 2008-481 was passed, Pike Road petitioned to have the court deem the litigation moot.
Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair
Montgomery Advertiser
November 5, 2008
Alvin Benn
PIKE ROAD --
    
Julia Norris, who has helped organize the Pike Road Arts & Crafts Fair for years, just had a feeling last year's 42nd annual event was going to be huge.
The Auburn Tigers were on the road, and wouldn't pull away any fans.
"Last year was the largest and we should have another big one today because there's no ball game at Auburn," saidNorris, who has helped make the fair the success that it's been for so long.
Auburn lost to Ole Miss -- but the fair was a big winner, with well more than 10,000 estimated attendance at one of the state's most popular arts and crafts festival.
Volunteers who have made the fair the biggest and most popular in central Alabama had reason to smile as they looked out of the windows of the Marks House to pastures that had been turned into huge parking lots for the event.
She and her friends were kept busy selling chicken salad sandwiches, pastries and other goodies at the antebellum house built between 1825 and 1830.
The festival raises thousands of dollars to help high school honor students about to head off to college. Two of them -- cousins Nicholas and Carolina Handey -- were on hand to help at the fair. Both received $4,000 college scholarships.
A day that began with chilly temperatures warmed up significantly by late morning, the people already there took off their coats and even more cars jammed the two roads leading into the festival.
The bad economy forced many of the vendors to do what they could to cut costs.
Bonnie Holland, a Pike County resident who specializes in botanical art, came up with something a bit different this year with her "Poor White Russian" and "Rich White Russian" creations.
The two cone-shaped items included marshmallows and dark chocolate chips to produce hot chocolate on cold mornings.
Her "White Trash" creation was made primarily from cereal along with cheese crackers and nuts.
"You've got to be creative at a time like this and this is what I've been able to come up with," said Holland, who had sold some of her dried flower arrangements for up to $300 or more.
Even with declining gasoline prices, some vendors found the trip to rural Montgomery County expensive.
Ken Fortson, a chef who lives near Augusta, Ga., has been a regular vendor at the fair, selling a kitchen tool that can peel grapes, carrots and other vegetables and fruits.
He didn't have as many customers as he had seen in past years and said he wasn't sure if he would break even this year.
"It's costing me about $100 in gas for the trip over and back, a motel and other expenses," said Fortson, who was selling his peelers for $5 each.
Most of the other vendors were pleased, however, saying the warm weather and eager buyers bought enough to more than pay for their booth rentals.
  
Pike Road Trunk or Treat
The Town of Pike Road celebrated its annual Trunk or Treat event with an overflow crowd of scary goblins in a festive setting. Starting with a front lawn filled with tombstones and skeletons, the crowd of 300+ participants circulated through carnival style games. They enjoyed a table filled with homemade chili and spaghetti. They listened to ghost stories and visited the decorated trunks. Plus, the evening’s events featured a hay ride around the Old Pike Road Town Center. Laughter and festive voices filled the air.
 Businesses throughout the town provided door prizes and the Pike Road Volunteer Fire Department offered instructional opportunities on fire safety. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department also provided traffic control.
Event coordinators Patty Payne and Jane Scroggins celebrated the success. Mrs. Payne stated, “This is the type of event that brings communities together and displays that small town America is a still alive and well.” Mrs. Scroggins said: “I cannot wait until next year.”
Jay Hinton, Chief of the Hay Ride, celebrated the evening’s success with the following comment: ”Things like this illustrate why Pike Road is the place where you want to live.”
Mayor Gordon Stone commented: “This is the perfect kickoff to a great fall season in the Town of Pike Road.”
Upcoming events include the Arts and Crafts Festival hosted by the Community Club; the Christmas Tree Lighting at the Town Hall and the Christmas Candlelight at the Meeting House in the Waters.
 
New Pike Road Branch Library Opens
 The people of Pike Road have always loved their library, but enjoying it will be even easier now that it has moved into a larger facility. Thanks in large part to the work of the Friends of the Pike Road Library and the Montgomery County Commission, the library's collection now has a new home in the Pike Road Station shopping center near the corner of Vaughn and Pike Roads. Though the scenery has changed, patrons can still look forward to seeing the familiar face of librarian Linda Maddox, who has served the Pike Road Branch Library for 17 years.
"The people of Pike Road owe a great thanks to Commissioner Reed Ingram and all the passionate volunteers who made this new facility a reality," said Mayor Gordon Stone. Mayor Stone and the town council voted July 31 to make a $25,000 contribution to the library to help offset relocation costs.
Besides the new building, which officially opened July 14, the Pike Road library is now open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. With 14,000 titles and more than 5,000 square feet of reading space, there is plenty of reading material and plenty of space compared to the former library building across from Town Hall on Pike Road. For more information, contact the library at 334-244-8679.
P.R.I.C.E. Foundation Launches Reading Fundraiser
P.R.I.C.E. stands for Pike Road Investment in Community and Education. The leaders of Pike Road created the P.R.I.C.E. foundation in 2006 for the purpose of engaging exclusively in charitable education and community endeavors as a qualified 501(c) (3) organization under the Internal Revenue Code. The idea was driven by a need to establish a public school system in the town of Pike Road, as well as to establish, develop and maintain additional public works and community facilities for the benefit of all its citizens. For example, in addition to the future schools, the 35 plus miles of recreational trails that will be established in Pike Road can be paid for, in part, through the foundation. Now that the town is on the brink of formally establishing the required population of 5,000 citizens in order to build our school, the P.R.I.C.E Foundation provides the perfect vehicle to ensure funds will be available as soon as we are able to break ground! Tax deductible contributions to the foundation will help ensure funds are available when needed.
Just in time for the new school year, and on the heels of the opening of the new Pike Road public library, the foundation has launched its “Read for a P.R.I.C.E.” program. This program serves as an initiative to encourage children to read while at the same time teaches civic responsibility by promoting involvement in local community efforts. Children can make a contract with one or more adults to get paid for each book they read (contract form available here). The money collected would be donated by the child to the P.R.I.C.E. Foundation on the 2nd Monday of each month at the commencement of the 7 pm Town Council meetings. The children will be recognized personally by the mayor and town councilmen, and receive a certificate of commendation for completing their reading program while contributing to a worthy foundation.
The P.R.I.C.E. Foundation works directly for the community initiatives of Pike Road, and every gift will make a difference, regardless of size. History is full of instances where the collective efforts of children have made a huge difference in a community. Children who contract with family and friends in “Read for A P.R.I.C.E.” can start immediately to join the foundation’s efforts to deliver a quality education to the children of Pike Road through an academic program that, partnered with local universities, will reach all Alabama students. Because the foundation has no administrative costs or paid officers, one hundred percent of their contributions will go directly to funding P.R.I.C.E. programs.
For more information on “Read for a P.R.I.C.E.”, or to learn more about the P.R.I.C.E Foundation, please call the Town Hall at 272-9883 or 279-6123. You may also download a printable copy of the contract form here.
Annual Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair is Nov 1
Montgomery Advertiser
20 Aug 2008
The 42nd annual Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair is Nov. 1 -- which means plenty of homemade chicken salad sandwiches, mocha cakes and all sorts of arts and crafts.
Join thousands of others from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Saturday as more than 250 artists and craft vendors display their wares on the grounds of the historic Marks House (circa 1825).
Come for the shopping or come for the food! Enjoy delicious pulled pork BBQ sandwiches, their homemade chicken salad, pimiento cheese sandwiches, fried chicken and other goodies. There will also be lots of homemade goodies from the Sweet Shop inside the Marks House.
Children can experience special activities, too, with face painting, a tour of the Pike Road Fire Department’s Mobile Fire Safety House and free "make and take" crafts from Home Depot.
Admission is $2 at the gate, and free for children 7 and younger. Visit www.pikeroadartsandcraftsfair.com.
Pike Road children Raise Funds for School
Montgomery Advertiser
6 Aug 2008
The children in Pike Road will have a chance to help raise the money needed to build their own school.
The local government is working with the Pike Road Library Branch to involve the town's children in the fundraising effort for the school that will be built at The Waters. The program, called Read for a P.R.I.C.E., enables children to raise money by reading books.
P.R.I.C.E. alludes to the foundation that is the money raising entity for Pike Road projects. The Pike Road Investment in Community and Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that was created in 2006.
This is how it works: children will enter a contract with an adult, who will pledge a certain amount of money for every book that the child reads. The child will then present his or her money to the mayor at the first Pike Road Town Council meeting of each month.
"We just thought this would be a good way to build civic responsibility in the children," said Town Clerk Charlene Rabren.
Contracts can be picked up at the Pike Road Library Branch or at town hall. "The P.R.I.C.E. Foundation works directly for the community initiatives of Pike Road, and every gift will make a difference, regardless of size," P.R.I.C.E. Foundation Coordinator Patty Payne wrote a description of the program. "History is full of instances where the collective efforts of children have made a huge difference in a community."
And avid readers who wish to participate will find an easy target in their Montgomery County commissioner.
"I will sponsor several children because I just think it's a great program," said District 1 County Commissioner Reed Ingram. "It's a win-win across the board, and I think every citizen in that area ought to support at least two or three children."
The program was launched just as the Pike Road Town Council decided to contribute a one-time gift of $25,000 to the library branch that bares the town's name but is not in the town limits.
"I'm very satisfied and very surprised that Pike Road put in as much as they did, and I'm just hoping they make it an annual donation," Ingram said.
The Town Council voted to make the contribution as a special meeting held Thursday. Council members said future giving would depend on how involved the Montgomery City-County Public Library System allows the town to be in the decision-making process.
Mayor Gordon Stone said town leaders have ideas for enhancing the Pike Road Library Branch, which is located in the Pike Road Station shopping center at the intersection of Vaughn and Pike roads. Specifically, he would like to see bike paths connecting neighborhoods to the library to encourage residents to use the library.
This kind of involvement and signage at the library that indicates that the town has a stake in the library were issues discussed during the special Town Council meeting.
"(The residents) have to know they are getting something back," Councilman Chris Dunn said during the discussion.
Stone encouraged the council to contribute a "five figure amount" and also cautioned the councilmen on creating the condition that the town's contribution be recognized via a sign.
"I think we need to be careful not to tie our desire to be supportive of our library to some kind of signage," Stone said. "I don't think that is a message that is true to your hearts, because I know you want to support the public library."
County Commission Chairman Todd Strange said the Town Council's decision was good news for the county, which was unexpectedly left with the added cost for housing the library at the new location.
"Obviously any help is greatly appreciated, and it does recognize the value of a library in the community," Strange said.
The county and city shared the cost 50-50 while the branch was still in the modular units on Pike Road, but the city refused to help with the additional expenses -- not the least of which is the $60,000 lease -- incurred at the new location.
The city is maintaining the level of funding from previous years, but that specific amount was not available at press time. The Pike Road Library is the only branch in the system that is no longer part of the 50-50 funding agreement. Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright said in an earlier interview that this is because it is the only branch that serves another municipality.
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