In July of this year, Mayor Gillespie put out a call for citizens to join him to improve Autauga Creek and the canoe trail through the efforts of a citizen-based committee. This call led to the formation of the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee. The members of the committee elected a citizen leader, Iris Korthauer, to coordinate cleanup efforts which became a separate community initiative.

Over the months of July, August, and September, a core group of citizens facilitated multiple cleanup days and even a "Family Float Day" as part of the Labor Day events bringing in more and more people from the community to help. They have brought significant attention to the creek's history and its natural beauty to the citizens of Prattville and surrounding communities.

John-Paul O'Driscoll, the Autauga County PALS (People Against a Littered State) Chairman, nominated the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee for a Governor's Award in the "Adopt a Stream" category. He was motivated to nominate the committee due to their multifaceted project to clean up trash, open a through-channel for canoes and kayaks, develop and expand a creekside walk and improve aesthetics along and access to Autauga Creek. They removed tires, junk, washers, tanks and obstacles from the canoe trail clearing the 4 miles of creek from City Hall down to the exit point off County Road 4. Thank you, John-Paul, for recognizing their efforts.

Congratulations to Mayor Gillespie and the members of the Autauga Creek Improvement Committee (ACIC) for all their hard work and positive results. This award was well-deserved.

To learn more about the ACIC, please visit their website.

(Front) Iris Korthauer and Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. holding the Governor's Award.
(Back, adults only) Vanessa Bordlee, Jen Brasel, Ronny Reed, Ofie Hardin, Jamey David, Richard Fleming,
and JoAnn Johnson