Dear Editor:

I would like to take this opportunity to brag on Demopolis a bit. This past weekend, the Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce along with the Outdoor Drag Boat Association hosted River City Rumble 2004. The event was a success, thanks in large part to the efforts of a few dedicated Demopolis citizen s and businesses.

The River City Rumble Committee consists of Jim Parr, event chairman, Alec Braswell, Vickie Taylor, J.R. Suttles and Allison Moore. For the last six months these individuals have spent many long hours sitting in planning meetings, gathering sponsorships, posting flyers and doing every bit of the hard work it takes to prepare for an event of this size. This past weekend, they logged in some very long, hot (even rain soaked) hours to finally see their project through to the end. Well, their hard work paid off and on top of providing a safe and exciting event for Demopolis, their efforts helped to raise almost $8,000 which will go to secure River City Rumble as an annual event in Demopolis and add to the Christmas on the River event. Thank you to these wonderfully dedicated, community-minded citizens. Not only has it been a pleasure to work with you all but you have made my job much easier!

Several local businesses also contributed their resources and efforts to help make River City Rumble a success. Collins Communications, J.R. Suttles Trucking, Colony Office Products, Win 98.5, Demopolis CATV, Eaves Construction, Parr’s Chevron, Robertson Bank, Community Bank, Commercial Bank, The Demopolis Times, The Blackbelt Gazette, Arrow Disposal, Gene’s Marine and University Surgical Associates all pitched in and we greatly appreciate their contributions. We also owe a special thanks to the City of Demopolis for their donation and support that made the event possible.

I also want to thank the people who helped to organize and man the gates for this weekend: Vickie and Robert Taylor, Allen Bishop, George Franks, Roger Hoggle, Paula Canterbury, Drew Rich, Karla Lins, Amanda Middlebrooks, Jeanette Wilkinson, Terri Cowling, Patricia Quinney, Jeff Thomason, Beth Murphy and Tracy Vickery.

In closing, I would also like to thank some organizations that are always involved in hosting events such as these and are many times overlooked when it comes to their due recognition. The Alabama Marine Police, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Corps of Engineers, Demopolis Yacht Basin, Department of Public Safety, the Fire Department, Street Department, Parks and Recreation Department and Tombigbee EMS all did a wonderful job in making the logistics of this event work.

Thanks again to everyone listed above and anyone I might have left out! I also want to thank all residents of Demopolis who came out to support the races. It is because of your support that we are able to continue to host new activities here and grow our local traditions such as Christmas on the River. You are all a shining example of Demopolis and the reason we are called “The City of the People!”

Kelley Smith

Events & Tourism Director

Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce