MADISON — Jim Mullins, affectionately known as “Coach” to many in Boone County, was honored again by the town of Madison last week.

Mullins passed away last September and his wife, Donna, requested the town place two new portraits on him inside the Civic Center that bears his name.

The Madison City Council unanimously passed the request.

“He was a well-loved man and did a lot for his community,” Donna Mullins said. “We are very proud that the City Council would do this for us.”

Mullins, who was an area veteran and buddy league basketball coach of more than 40 years, was honored this April 26, 2008, with a renaming and dedication ceremony of the Madison Civic Center to the Jim Mullins Civic Center.

Mullins’ son, John, drew one of the portraits.

“We just thought it would be appropriate for people to see his face inside of the place that is named for him,” said Mullins’ daughter, Michelle.

Mullins had a soft spot in his heart for the area youth, his wife said.

“The secret to being a successful coach is discipline and attention. They have to know that you care about them,” Mullins said in a 2008 interview with The Coal Valley News.

Mullins, who worked for CSX railroad in various capacities after serving in the U.S. Army, developed a love for building model trains. This hobby led to a featured article of Mullins in the highly acclaimed Goldenseal magazine, a publication of the West Virginia Division of Culture and History.

“This was a very easy decision to make,” said Madison Mayor H.H. “Sonny” Howell. “He did so much for the children and the community. It is a pleasure to be able to honor such a wonderful man.”

In other council news:

• The council voted unanimously to give the all of the city’s full-time employees a 35 cents per hour raise retroactive to July 1. The city has 16 full-time employees. The raises will cost the city approximately $11,000.

• Mary Carden requested the council look at applying for grant money to fix the old Madison swimming pool for children and maybe also having it used as a health spa for seniors. The town agreed to examine the proposal, but said it may not be financially feasible.

• City council gave the Madison Little League $15,000 in state grant money for the purchase of new equipment. The council also honored Nelson Buckner and Roger Jones for their work with the league. Buckner also thanked Massey Energy and the little league’s board of directors for their help as well. Additionally, the council thanked everyone who has helped with the little league that serves hundreds of the town’s children each year.

• Council listened to a complaint from a West Madison resident regarding drainage problems on his property. Council agreed to look at the problem to see what could be done to fix it.

• Council agreed to pay Madison REV UP half the costs for paint regarding a painting project being done by students with the group. Students with the group have been painting the back of some of the busine