A Message from Mayor Stimpson - January 22
Jan 22nd, 2021
Good evening,
It is 7:30 p.m. on Friday, January 22, and I am writing to give you an update from the City of Mobile.
Today, the Mobile County Health Department reports 31,348 COVID-19 cases, an increase of 249 cases. To review the most recent detailed report, click here.
I was saddened to learn of the passing of Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and native Mobilian Henry “Hank” Aaron this morning. Though “Hammerin’ Hank'' is revered throughout the United States for his record setting career, he will always hold a special place in our hearts here in the City of Mobile.
A humanitarian, business leader, philanthropist and a national baseball icon — Hank Aaron represented the best of our City. I was fortunate to have been able to spend some time with Mr. Aaron personally, and he was always humble and gracious. He will forever be a baseball legend, but he was also such a good person. We join so many others today in mourning his loss and remembering him for a life well lived.
Today another Mobile native made history as retired four-star general Lloyd J. Austin was confirmed by Congress to serve as the Secretary of Defense in President Joe Biden’s administration. Austin retired in 2016 after a 41-year career in the U.S. Army, and with his appointment today, he became the first black Secretary of Defense in the history of the United States. Congratulations, Secretary Austin.
If you haven’t noticed, our Parks and Recreation Department recently converted the “Christmas Tree” in Mardi Gras Park to the “Mardi Gras Tree” to mark the 2021 Carnival season. Though some things will be different this year, we are still going to celebrate this important cultural holiday in the City of Mobile.
Local residents have also organized a group called “Mobile Porch Parades” that is highlighting homes adorned with Mardi Gras decorations to help capture the Carnival spirit. More than 280 homes have been added to a growing map that will give people an option to take in the spectacle of Mardi Gras safely.
If your home is decorated for the Carnival season, you can register to be part of the official map by clicking here. Co-organizers Suzanne Sarver and Stacy Wellborn are asking anyone who is interested to register by Sunday, January 24, so they can release the official map in early February.
In addition to keeping the Mardi Gras spirit alive, many people are helping to support businesses that would typically sell Mardi Gras supplies or create floats this time of year. I am not at all surprised to see that Mobilains are finding ways to support one another and keep the good times rolling.
Today was both a sad and an exciting day for our City. We learned that one of Mobile’s most notable figures had passed away within minutes of seeing another Mobile native confirmed to oversee the U.S. Armed Forces. Both of these men left Mobile, made history and made an impact on the world.
In closing, I wanted to leave you with a quote from Hank Aaron that stood out to me. As he was closing in on Babe Ruth’s homerun record in 1974, he faced harassment and threats from many who did not want to see that record broken by a black man. He faced that treatment with grace and determination, once telling reporters: “I don't want them to forget Ruth, I just want them to remember me.”
Today, more than 40 years later, we all remember Hank Aaron.
Sleep tight,
Sandy Stimpson