November Mayor's Message
11/3/2025
Mayor’s Message
Fall is one of my favorite times of the year, and this one was truly one for the history books. We had record-breaking rain in early October, followed by beautiful fall colors and, more recently, a pleasant Indian summer. On October 25th, we hosted our first annual Fall Festival, and it was an overwhelming success. Huge thanks to Chandlyr Shupe and the rest of the Events Committee, along with the many volunteers and donors who helped create such a fun day. I think Laurie Allen summed it up best when she said, “Isn’t this great? It’s just like the 4th of July used to be.” I couldn’t’ agree more. It was small but well attended, with all the old-fashioned community games—nail driving, an obstacle course, playground kickball, and more. And best of all, there were free hot dogs and hamburgers for everyone. I’ll admit, I quietly tiptoed away from the dunk tank, afraid someone might ask me to take a turn in the chair. Fortunately, we had a few brave young volunteers who came prepared with wetsuits for the chilly water.
A week later came Halloween. I was able to go trick-or-treating with my grandkids, and it brought back great memories from years past. Downtown Huntsville was bustling, thanks to all the families who decorate their homes, dress up, and make it such a fun experience. We even had decorated trailers—complete with straw bales—giving rides to friends and neighbors collecting their year’s supply of candy.
Vision Committee
In mid-2024, the Vision Committee was formed with the goal of thinking creatively about new revenue sources for our town while staying true to our rural character and family values. Town expenses have risen sharply in recent years, from police services and animal control to road maintenance and, of course, water system upkeep. Resident volunteer, Tommy Christie, has dedicated countless hours to organizing and implementing the committee’s efforts, and we’re already seeing results. Several subcommittees have been formed to explore ways to strengthen the town’s financial foundation without compromising our small-town, rural and agricultural atmosphere. In the months ahead, Tommy will be sharing informational updates, beginning with the first in this newsletter. Membership is open to everyone, so if you’d like to get involved, please reach out to Tommy directly or contact the Town Hall at 801-745-3420.
Holiday Season
As we move into the holiday season, please take care of your families and check in on your neighbors. This time of year can be difficult for some. Thank you for being such great neighbors and friends, and happy Thanksgiving to you and your families.
Best Regards,
Richard Sorensen
Mayor, Town of Huntsville