By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
In the wild week between the holidays, there was little time but a great need for Mayor Ronnie and me to get together and kick around thoughts for 2026. What kept coming up in our convo was the topic of health. Not the usual “join-the-gym” approach, although there is nothing wrong with that. It was more about identifying what makes for a healthy community, and how can we make ours even more so?
From the standpoint of physical health, our city and county are vested in making our parks better, building new ones, and planning well for growth. “People need to move, and not just drive their recliner,” said the mayor. His reference was to an ad that shows a guy who does just that, while someone else works hard to barely jog. It is no new revelation that people of all ages, and especially our kids, need to get outside and play, and we are blessed to have several choices to make that happen.
We looked again in the conference room at City Hall at the architectural design renderings for parks, and talked about everything from adding a dog park at Sunshine Park to what is involved in having a swimming pool. The City of Athens just published a booklet that describes and discusses all of our parks — locations, amenities, hours, features, and upcoming events. Did you know that you can rent space and time at our parks for (in most cases) only $30? I thought about how spiritual health is connected to physical health is connected to community health when I saw the reference to God’s reign on the dedication stone at Lincoln-Bridgeforth Park. Later we would thank God for the freedom we have to express faith in the public square.
“I am really jazzed about 2026,” said Mayor Ronnie. I asked, “What are some of the things you are the most ‘jazzed’ about?” “Working together with new people in new ways, for one,” he said. He was due to have a meeting with Madison’s new mayor, Ranae Bartlett, as soon as we were finished. Decatur and Hartselle both have new mayors, and he wants to get together with them as well. He mentioned the arrival of Hobby Lobby and Academy, and reminded me that although those are big-box stores, the tax revenue stays local, and makes it possible for us to grow well, add services, and improve our quality of life. In 2026, the City of Athens is adding five new police officers, and there will be increases to first-responders and utilities workers to keep what is always priority number one at any part of the year: public safety. “That will ALWAYS be number one,” he said, and added, “Without that, none of the rest of it matters.”
The mayor was thankful for all that Main Street, the Chamber, Tourism, Limestone County, the churches, and private citizens did to make the holidays wonderful, and also said, “It was a tough time for many, too. Pick up the phone and talk to each other. We have got to work together and improve communication.” He stopped for a minute and said, “I’m talking to me, here.” I nodded, knowing how easy it is to get way too busy. There was just one thing left to do, and that was to pray, give ourselves, and the new year to God. So we did, and once again, it was time for Ronnie to roll.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
