At the Demopolis City Councils first meeting of 2005 the council discussed an enormous opportunity coming to town Saturday. On that day, Sen. Richard Shelby will be in Demopolis at the Municipal Court House at 2 p.m.

The visit from Shelby brings forth such a great opportunity because it gives local officials the chance to discuss the future of their city with one of its greatest resources.

Demopolis Mayor Cecil P. Williamson said she looked forward to having a representative from the nation’s capitol in town.

“I’m always excited to have our representative from Washington in the city,” Williamson said. “It is a big opportunity.”

Williamson said she had a healthy list of things to discuss with Shelby. One topic especially stood out.

“I am going to talk about the municipal complex,” Williamson said. “I can assure you of that. That is definitely one of the things I am going to talk about.”

Funding will also be a major topic of discussion. Shelby recently acquired a healthy sum to be used for the improvement of the Black Belt and Williamson said she wanted to hear some of his plans and add a few suggestions.

“I also want to talk about how he is planning to spend the $40 million he just got for the Black Belt,” Williamson said. “I would like to know what his plans are for dispersing those funds.

We would like to know if Highway 80 four laning has anything to do with those funds. I would like to see that happen.”

Repairing some of the city’s streets has been a concern of the council for some time. Meetings have been held to make a list of the streets in most immediate need of repair.

Councilman Jack Cooley had another concern with the project. Cooley said there could be potential problems with gas and water lines. Cooley said since the project was touch and go it gave them a chance to better prepare.

“When they first paved the street I was living on I think it was only three or four months later that they had to come repair the water lines,” Cooley said.

“We don’t have it timetabled other than this year. That gives us time to get this taken care of.”

Cooley volunteered to discuss possibilities with other parties to see what could be done.

Dilapidated buildings and cars on blocks have been another problem the council is trying to do away with. Williamson said the plan of action right now was to meet with the city attorney and see what should be done.

“The plan I am using right now is working with Mr. (Rick). Manley if he has something to report,” Williamson said. “Our workers are going over complaints and we are looking through them.”

The council will hold its next regular meeting on Thursday Jan. 20 at 5:15 p.m.