LINDEN &8212; In conjunction with the theme of &8220;community unity&8221; for this year&8217;s Christmas events, two rivals on the field &8212; Auburn University&8217;s mascot &8220;Aubie&8221; and the University of Alabama&8217; mascot &8220;Big Al&8221; &8212;will join together off the field to serve as grand marshals for this year&8217;s parade, city officials announced Tuesday.

City clerk Bruce Ward announced the two mascots had agreed to take part of the &8220;Christmas Carols in the Night&8221; parade, set for Dec. 7.

Councilwoman Mitzi Gates reported on general government and finance, saying the Marengo County Economic Development Authority is in the beginning stages of development, which includes drafting and adopting by-laws for the organizations.

Gates went on to say each municipality joining with the authority was asked to appoint two members to the board of directors.

After hearing Gates&8217; recommendation, the council voted to appoint Councilman William Curry and Kathryn Friday of the Marengo County Cooperative Extension System to be the two members to represent Linden in the authority.

City Administrator Cheryl Hall reported the audit of the city&8217;s finances has been going well and there are no anticipated problems with the report.

In a subsequent meeting, the council is expected to read and vote on a new business license ordinance for the city.

After an executive session, the council took no action and no decisions were made in regard to the hiring of a Director of Public Safety.