July Mayors Message
7/6/2026
Mayor’s Message
By the time you receive this newsletter, my favorite holiday, Independence Day, will have come and gone. Growing up here in Huntsville, I always looked forward to the Fourth of July, a day that filled our small town with patriotic spirit and celebration. One of my early heroes, Mayor Sterling Wood (father of Suzanne Ferre, Becky Wood, and Willow Buttars), was at the helm during those formative years, and the festivities he led remain etched in my memory.
Back then, one of the highlights was an industrial grade wooden water slide. Constructed of plywood and lined with black plastic, it offered thrilling rides down its slick surface. It was supported by steel girder trusses and raised into place with a front end loader. It certainly wouldn’t meet today’s OSHA standards today, but it created unforgettable memories for many of us.
Although times have changed, the spirit of Independence Day in Huntsville lives on. My adult children often tell me they love the Fourth of July even more than Christmas. It’s a special day when old friends come home, neighbors reconnect, and generations gather to enjoy parades, snow cones, and laughter together.
This year, we had the privilege of honoring Steve and Pat Songer as our Grand Marshals. The Songers came to Huntsville in the 1970s and quickly became fixtures in our community. Steve made it his mission to beautify Huntsville, and many of the beautiful trees lining our roads, filling our park, and enhancing other public spaces are there because of the Songer family.
Steve also served on both the Planning Commission and Town Council. In the mid 2000s, I joined the Town Council just as Steve was completing his term. He had transformed our town park, raising the funds to upgrade and install the playground. I remember telling then Mayor Jim McKay that I would gladly take responsibility for any town department except the park because there was no way I could fill Steve’s shoes. Looking back, I probably should have taken the park because Steve had it in such incredible condition that there wasn’t much left to do except maintain it. Thank you, Steve and Pat, for your decades of service and for leaving such a lasting legacy in Huntsville.
Projects like Adopt a Hydrant remind me that while traditions evolve, the community spirit that has always defined Huntsville remains as strong as ever. When neighbors come together to volunteer, create something beautiful, and take pride in our town, they carry on the same spirit that has made Huntsville such a special place for generations.
Adopt a Hydrant Program
Our Adopt a Hydrant program has been an overwhelming success and one of the most enjoyable community projects we’ve undertaken. In 1976, as part of our nation’s Bicentennial celebration, Mayor Sterling Wood invited local youth to paint several of Huntsville’s fire hydrants with
patriotic themes. While I’m not sure how many hydrants existed back then, I suspect we have three or four times as many today.
When we first launched the program a few weeks ago, only about five people signed up. I’ll admit I became a little concerned that the project I was so excited about might turn into a flop. I ordered only the minimum amount of paint and supplies because I didn’t want to be left with a garage full of leftovers.
Then things began to change. After a week we had about 15 participants, then 25. While I was away on vacation, another dozen people signed up. As more hydrants were completed, neighbors began to see the vision, and enthusiasm spread throughout town. Before long, people were competing to claim the last remaining hydrants.
I am thrilled to report that approximately 45 hydrants were transformed into works of patriotic art. Our residents truly stepped up. The creativity, craftsmanship, and time invested far exceeded my expectations, and I don’t envy our judges. Choosing winners was no easy task.
By the time you read this newsletter, our winners will have been announced. Congratulations to those selected, and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated. Whether your hydrant received an award or not, each one has helped make Huntsville a little more colorful, a little more patriotic, and a lot more fun.
I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start. Thank you for everything you do to make Huntsville such an incredible place to live.
Warm regards,
Richard L. Sorensen Mayor of Huntsville