By John Howell
Could calendar options for 2017 include a calendar featuring photos Batesville’s mayor and aldermen briefly clad, flexing biceps and wearing grins?
It could depend on what they accomplish in coming months through a new program announced during Tuesday’s city board meeting. Batesville Rehabilitation representative David Hardy announced preferential monthly fitness center membership rates for city employees. Any city employee can become a member for $15 monthly, Hardy said, with no contract required.
Hardy, a personal trainer and fitness director with Batesville Rehabilitation said that the usual membership rate is $30 monthly. The business, now housed in its new building on Lakewood Drive, consists of a rehabilitation unit with physical therapy and a wellness center, where patients undergo prescribed physical therapy and the fitness side, where members exercise, Hardy said.
“What we offer that we feel is kind of a unique environment is that people can come in and exercise in the same building where there are licensed physical therapist on hand,” Hardy said.
“You’re just offering this to all our employees?” Alderman Teddy Morrow asked?
“Exactly,” Hardy replied.
“So you really don’t need anything official from the board, you just want to make this available, to spread the word to city employees that they can come out there at these rates?” assistant City Attorney Colmon Mitchell asked.
“Right,” Hardy replied.
Alderman Bill Dugger, who said his introduction to the rehab facility had not been by choice, but after his experience, “I’m high on the place; it makes you feel better, too.”
“Can y’all imagine, next year, all the aldermen have a calendar?” Mayor Jerry Autrey said. “We could start next month. It takes a year probably, but we could get in to that.”
“If he gets to coming, I want to know about it,” Dugger told Hardy, referring to the mayor,  as Hardy was leaving the meeting, “because I want to get some pictures.”
“You, too, Colmon” Dugger said.
“Oh, no,” the attorney replied.
“I’d say that would be the individual’s choice; if they want to do before and after, they’re welcome to have that done,” Hardy said.
Alderman Eddie Nabors, who joined the first minutes of the meeting by telephone, asked fellow aldermen to acknowledge the Batesville Rehabilitation’s offer in the meeting minutes.
No name or theme for the city officials photo calendar has yet been suggested.