Outstanding service awards presented at Leachville Council

Leachville City Councilman and fire chief recognized members of the fire department and first responders at the December council meeting held on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

“This room is full of folks who showed up and showed out during the tornado that recently came through Leachville,” Brown said. “We want you all to know your work did not go unnoticed. I know some of you worked 32 hours straight.”

Brown presented Outstanding Service Awards and Life Saving Awards.  Receiving the Life Saving Awards were Danny Bishop, Willis Lambert, Amy Lambert, Richie Pace and Donnie Ford.  Receiving the Outstanding Service Awards were Greg Penix, Chuck Davis, Chuck Brown, Noah Holt, Billy Holt, Billy Bowen, Scott Bowen, Chareigan Davis, Tony Sutterfield, Steven Pearson, Jason Panell, Tommy Oliver, Donald Smith, Hunter Smith, Forrest Robertson, Derrick Davis, Brian McDaniel, Jacob Ford and Melissa Davis.

Leachville Mayor Rodney Robertson and council members gave members of the fire department a standing ovation expressing their appreciation.

Mayor Robertson expressed the city’s gratitude to the fire department, along with the police department, Robert Ballard and his city employees, churches, organizations, neighboring towns, companies such as Nucor and Southworth, local farmers, Kevin Cooper and his crew that kept the trash picked up on time, the state police, the Mississippi Couunty Sheriff’s Department, the County Judge John Alan Nelson and so many others who came to help.

“I am sure that is not everyone and I certainly don’t want to leave anyone out,” Mayor Robertson said. “We appreciate everyone who helped us.  Many area restaurants, churches and others provided hot food for the workers. We had people here from as far away as Hot Springs helping with the clean-up.”

Food was provided to the utility workers who came in, the clean-up workers, and the people who were sheltered at City Hall.

Steven Hill and Kyle Lomax with Southern Pharmacy addressed the council. One of the Southern Pharmacies is located in Leachville.

“If there is anything we can do or supply at the drugstore that will be helpful, please let us know,” Hill said. “We are here to help anyway we can. I know citizens in Leachville depend on the Dollar General Store and if we can provide needed items we will try. We will be reopening this week and we want to support the community.”

Mayor Robertson expressed his appreciation to the company for always being supporters of the community.

Following the minutes and treasurer’s report, Police Chief Alan Austin informed the council that Sgt. Morris had submitted his resignation as of Jan. 3 and they are in the process of looking for an officer. He also said the equipment for the vehicle computers are in and running.

Councilman Brown discussed the purchase of a new fire truck the city has been working on.

He said the lowest price he has found for a very plain truck without the bells and whistles is $287,500.

“The price will increase in January. If the truck is ordered by Jan. 1, the $287,500 price will stand and it will be 12 months from ordering to delivery.”

He offered two scenarios of how to pay for the new truck including $75,000 each from the fire department and the city, and financing the remainder. He also said they would try to acquire available grants which would lessen the amount being financed.

“The portion of the sales tax dedicated to the fire department can be saved to help at the end of the process,” Brown said.

It was noted that a large part of the sales tax receipts will not be received due to the businesses destroyed by the tornado.

Ruth Ann Keith, city clerk/treasurer, said she had talked with Wayne Reynolds, county emergency officer, and he said he is willing to assist with grant applications.

Mayor Robertson said he realized the need for a fire truck but he did not want to put the city in a bind.

Following a lengthy discussion, Councilwoman Lisa Baldridge made a motion to go forward ordering the truck and trying to get as many grants as possible.

The council voted 5-0 in favor with Brown abstaining.

Councilman Paul Wildy asked Mayor Robertson to check with the managers of the community gymnasium about hours when the exercise equipment can be used and open hours so the public can know. The agreement was that when it is open someone needs to be on hand.

The council agreed to purchase the bush hog which is presently broken down.

“We got it and it has to be paid for,” Councilman Keith Evans said.

The council voted to purchase the bush hog. The council then voted to extend the budget due to the circumstances of the storm damage.

The council approved a three-person board, Matt Sills, Don Spencer, Brannah Bibbs, to take care of the Tornado Relief Fund. The three board members will have the authority to sign checks distributed. The board will be an extension of the city and will be able to use the city’s tax ID number. The council agreed if they want to add more members, it would be up to them with the council’s approval.

Ms. Keith said they will be able to get  a list of damages.  At least 70 residents have damaged property or lost their homes completely from Leachville out to Buckeye.

“This is money given with no stipulations,” Councilman Evans said. “If anyone wants to earmark for individuals, they need to write the check to them and not go through the relief fund account. I have no problems with the three board members. They will do a good job.”

In the council comments Councilwoman Baldridge said it is hard to see the town you love “brought down to their knees but we are back up.”

“There are a lot of people out there helping and working and we appreciate it,” she said.

Councilman Richie Pace said Leachville is a strong community