Peter Gregerson, author of The Golden Rule: The Best Way To Live, was recognized with a proclamation from the Gadsden City Council and mayor to recognize Tuesday, May 27, 2025 as Mr. Peter Gregerson day.
Gregerson has served as a profound and accessible guide for young people, families, educators and communities to promote timeliness, values of kindness, respect, empathy and personal responsibility and Gregerson’s message centered on the universal principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated, according to the proclamation.
“The more that we can promote the idea to treat other people the way you would want to be treated if you were in their shoes,” Gregerson said. “And when that idea seeps into the mind, you can’t believe, it’s so good, it’s so right. It’s so evidently powerful and the way it can change lives. It makes a difference.”
Many elected officials, including Sen. Mack Butler attended the meeting in support of Gregerson.
“You are talking about a man that has impacted Gadsden and his entire community,” Butler said. “You talk about a life well lived. There is none better than Peter Gregerson.”
State Rep. Mark Gidley presented Gregerson with a joint resolution from the entire delegation, Rep. Butler, President Craig Lipscomb, Sen. Andrew Jones and the Alabama legislature both House and Senate to recognize the Golden Rule Anti-Bullying program and Gregerson’s contributions to the community and education.
The Golden Rule Anti-Bullying Program was established in October 2024. The initiative is a collaborative effort of Gadsden City Schools and Gadsden State Community College Police Department aimed at fifth graders. The program breaks down Gregerson’s book into actionable strategies and presented to the students in a series of school assemblies that encourage participants to reflect on the importance of compassion and respect, according to Gadsden State’s website.
It has served as a guiding principle in fostering positive character development and encouraging young people to treat others with dignity and respect, according to the resolution. The resolution recognizes Gadsden State Chief Jay Freeman, grandson of Gregerson, and numerous community leaders for reaching countless students and shaping a generation who values empathy and integrity in their daily interactions.
Proclamation for Dr. Kathy Murphy
The Gadsden City Council issued two proclamations to recognize the commitment of two individuals and their dedication to bettering the community at the meeting on Tuesday.
Kathy Murphy, President of Gadsden State Community College since 2021, accepted a position of president at Wallace Community College in Dothan.
“Dr. Murphy I want to tell you this from the Mayor of Gadsden and the city council,” Craig Ford, mayor, said.” “We want to thank you for your partnership and what you’ve done. What’s happened behind Gadsden State and the sports complex is phenomenal… The sad thing is we’re losing you. It’s our loss, their gain, and we couldn’t ask for somebody better to be an interim president than Alan [Smith].”
During her time as president, Gadsden State has increased enrollment, scholarships, credit hour production, retention rate, apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities, according to the proclamation.
Murphy has been recognized as Troy Alumni of the Year 2024, she was the first female chair of the National Beta Club board of directors, she was given the Outstanding Leadership in School and Community Relations Award by the Alabama School Public Relations Association, and the Distinguished Service Outside the Profession Award by the Alabama Art Education Association, as well as being named a “Mover and Shaker” by Two Eighty Lifestyle magazine and Business Alabama magazine, according to the Gadsden State website.
“One of the marks of, at least, the effort of leadership is to make sure that in a relay, you’re ready to hand that baton off…” Murphy said. “I believe the time is now for me to pass that baton, and I’m proud of the entire group that stood here. The leadership team Dr. Tera Simmons our Executive Vice President and then Alan [Smith] will be serving as our interim president, and the college is in wonderful hands.”
A proclamation was made by Ford and the city council to recognize Saturday, May 21, 2025 as Dr. Kathy Murphy day.
During the proclamation Ford announced plans for an upcoming project at Gadsden State, in which he said Murphy was instrumental in, is the addition of tennis courts and a cross-country trail.
Lady Rush Elite
At the council meeting the Alabama Lady Rush Elite 12 and under were recognized for winning the soccer state championship.
“I’ve been watching these young ladies for most of their life,” said City Council President Kent
Back, whose wife, Kimberly Back, is a Gadsden City School teacher. “We are so proud of you… Y’all have done something that’s a major accomplishment.”
Finance
Gadsden City Council approved the acceptance of three grants from Etowah County Community Development Committee. The grants, totaled at $39,500, were awarded to the Gadsden Police Department from District 28. The funds will go toward the purchase of three Flock license plate recognition cameras, new conducted energy devices [tasers] and modular barriers for event management, according to Back. An additional $15,000 will be provided by District 29 for the modular barriers.
The council approved a public safety agreement with Alabama Power Company for the installation, maintenance and service of the three Flock cameras with solar panels and two poles for the amount of $812.52 per month.
Council member Jason Wilson asked to approve an application for a 2026 grant totaling $408,257 to complete the construction project on Chestnut Street. Wilson said the grant will be used to expand the overall architectural design and layout of Broad Street into some of the neighboring streets.
Wilson asked the council to authorize an agreement in the amount of $7,500 with Chin Chin Entertainment for the Taylor Swift world tribute concert as a part of the summer concert series.
In addition, Wilson asked that the council approve an agreement with CDP Design for the Twin Bridges Gold Course, clubhouse and driving range. The agreement will update the green side bunkers to bring them to a championship caliber that will drain properly and the addition of a state-of-the-art Toptracer golf experience. Toptracer is a digital driving range that allows you to play any golf course in the world, which would be displayed on a screen next to the tee. The total budget for the Twin Bridge project is now $96,715.
The council approved all of Wilson’s requests.
