By Sherri Blevins
A lot of positive news was shared at the May 15, 2023, Rainsville City Council meeting.
Before the meeting, Kayron Guffey and Mayor Lingerfelt honored the Police Department by placing a wreath at the First Responders Memorial in Rainsville City Park. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week that date falls as Police Week. Rainsville appreciates the time and selfless dedication officers bring to their jobs.
During the work session, Rainsville Freedom Run organizer Jerry Clifton thanked the Council for supporting the Best Small Race in America since its beginning. Clifton said the race is only 26 days away on June 10, and runners from across the country will descend on Rainsville to compete in the 15th Anniversary Run. Clifton said this year, the charitable donations given so far will reach the half million mark, with all money going to local charities. The race will begin and end at the DeKalb County Schools Coliseum. Door prizes will be given after the race for all those registered to race. Clifton said a record $20,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to lucky racers. It is not too late to register. Visit runsignup.com for more information and registration.
Rainsville Fire Chief Willimac Wright honored one of the Fire Science students for her amazing accomplishments during the past two years. Taylor Holland, a Sylvania senior and Fire Science graduate, overcame fear and anxiety to earn her credentials as a state-certified volunteer firefighter with hazmat awareness operations. She also qualified as a telecommunicator 1 and 2 and plans to continue her education at Northeast Alabama Community College. Chief Wright and Assistant Chief Leath presented Taylor with a certificate for her accomplishments at the meeting.
During the meeting, the Council passed a resolution honoring Rainsville’s First Responders and all its City employees for making Rainsville among the top eight safest cities in Alabama according to a recent SafeWise ranking. The Council indicated that it took all the employees working diligently together to keep Rainsville as safe as possible, and it appreciated all the employees’ efforts.
The Council also approved the following items:
• $5,000 sponsorship for the Rainsville Freedom Run
• Resolution 05-15-2023 approving the Back to School Tax Holiday
• Resolution 05-15-2023 B awarding the street paving bid of $1,099,717.43 to Rogers Group Inc. to pave designated roads, including Marshall Road
• Resolution 05-15-2023 C recognizing the efforts of the Rainsville Police Department, Fire Department, and all other City employees for their efforts in keeping Rainsville safe and earning the ranking of 8th Safest City in Alabama
• $6,150 to Michael’s Tree Service for tree removal on Short St. and Everett St.
• $7,200 to Brown Excavation for replacing three pipes on Marshall and Short St.
• $7,350 to Mattox Excavating for replacing two sets of pipe on Marshall
• Amending the pay scale
• Accepting Tammy Mason’s resignation effective 4-25-2023
• Hiring Donna Johnson as the acting Court Clerk effective 5-15-2023 and as the full-time Court Clerk effective 6-3-2023
• Contracting with Paulette Stanford as Magistrate for the Court at $40 per court session
• Hiring Austin Langley and Logan Harrison as part-time police officers
• Training and travel requests for Fire Chief Wright, Assistant Fire Chief Leath, Firefighter Derek Huskey, Police Chief Edmondson, and Investigator Bowen
• $500 sponsorship for the Plainview Softball Team’s meal expenses at the Alabama State Softball Tournament
The next meeting will be on June 5, 2023.