In early May of this year the citizens of Saginaw, Alabama, suddenly were faced with the overwhelming news that a methadone treatment facility was under construction and soon to be opened in their community. Under normal circumstances, this would not come as such a shock to this peaceful residential community. However, this installation was secreted upon the citizens within the framework of the filing procedures of a state health agency and in violation of their constitutional rights of redress. There was no notification or opportunity to either agree or disagree with the facility. We, the citizens of Saginaw, set about to oppose the facility but to no avail. It was then that we discovered our only remedy was through the courts of Shelby County. An attorney was then retained to plead our case and it was, at this time that we discovered that there were sympathetic friends and neighbors who stretched out their hands and efforts in assisting us with our cause. It is that unselfish help that brings us to the point of thanking each of the following citizens and officials for their kind expressions of concern and assistance in preventing the influx of from 300 to 400 known drug addicts on the streets and highways of Saginaw, Calera and Alabaster.

Thanks to Chief Larry Rollan who has been with us from the onset, Sen. Hank Erwin, Representative Mike Hill, members of the Shelby County Commission, Shelby County District Attorney, Robby Owens, Sheriff Chris Curry, Bob & Nora Blain of Alabaster, Bob Picou, the members of the Wilburn and Tony Seales families, American Drilling of Alabama, Saginaw Pipe Company and the many other generous contributors to the Saginaw Community Legal Fund, chaired by Alan and Kathy Edmondson and last and certainly not least Mr. Mickey Johnson, our attorney. It is commendable that we have had such support from these concerned citizens and have not had any appreciable response from our neighboring cities and the officials of Calera to the south and Alabaster to the north, which will be key access points for the known addicts travelling to and from this proposed facility.

Although no final decision has been reached in our case, we fully expect that justice will prevail and rid our community of a facility such as this and we extend our sincerest thanks to each and everyone mentioned and those whom are not listed for their neighborly assistance and support. To help support our efforts, call 663-9983.