Resign

FROM PAGE 1 also submitted his resignation, effective March 17. The reason stated was that the position was affecting his health. According to Hammondville Town Clerk, Kim Johnson, he has served on the Council for around four months.

The Council will vote on both resignations at the next Hammondville Town Meeting on April 13.

Nucor

FROM PAGE 1 for bids. Backstops at the Sports Complex are completed, light poles are being installed throughout downtown and the wall in front of the police department is scheduled to be finished before the June Jam.

The Council suspended the rules for immediate consideration and passed Ordinance 2023-05 which declared the property adjacent to the old Jeffersons as real estate surplus.

The following Resolutions were passed by the Council :

• 2023-06, accepting the low bid for drainpipe.

• 2023-07, accepting the low bid for fuel.

• 2023-08, accepting the low bid for Plant Mix –Binder and 429A-206

• 2023-09, accepting the low bid for Rock and Crushed Limestone.

In new business:

• Carolyn Martin’s term on the Fort Payne Board of Education expires in June. The appointment must be made in April preceding. The Council appointed Martin to serve another term.

• Authorized solicitation of bids for two (2) pickup trucks for the Fire Department.

• Approved an Alcohol License Application to Marcus Carter, The Bottle Shoppe, 1018 Gault Avenue South, Package Store.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Fort Payne Council will be held on April 4, beginning at 12:30 p.m. in the council chambers on the second floor of the City Hall.

Chief

FROM PAGE 1

The large crowd that was literally left out in the cold, expressed their dismay over the situation. They stated that the meeting should have been held in the Fire

Hall or at one of the many businesses that offered to open their doors for the meeting.

Citizen Kerry Breihaupt went to the Fire Hall, following the suspension of Burt, to clean up the trash that led to the suspension. She poured a small amount of garbage, that she collected, unto the council table and stated this is what caused the suspension. This led to a move to reinstate Burt by several of the Council members.

The Council members were informed by attorney Pat Tate that they were not empowered to hire or fire a police or fire chief since Valley Head had never adopted an ordinance giving them the power and that only the Mayor had the authority.

Council members asked why had they voted on the appointments in the past, with Tate explaining that Mayor Key had only let them do this as a “political courtesy.”

With the Council not having the authority to hire or fire, Councilman Chris Busby stated that he thought the town needed to hire a Town Manager and get rid of the Mayor and Council positions.

Tate stated that Valley Head could not afford a Town Manager.

“I think this says we have a crooked mayor” Busby stated. “Backwoods town with a crooked lawyer.”

This developed into a heated discussion between Busby and Tate.

“Don’t interrupt me and don’t call me a crook” stated Tate.

Mayor Key presented the council and media handouts, listing the duties of a fire chief.

The first handout dated May 3, 2021:

1. Provide the City Clerk a description of training classes and the location of the classes, the name of each firefighter attending. (The following requirements were added to the January 4 handoutInstructor of the class, subject of the class, and a sign-in sheet with the signature of each firefighter attending.

2. Fire Reports must be turned in to the Clerks office as soon as possible.

3. Collect any and all Valley Head firefighting equipment from volunteers that have not attended a training class or responded in the past 90 days. No exceptions! Provide to the City Clerk’s office the name of each volunteer and the equipment issued to them!

4. The City of Valley Head has worked hard to provide the equipment needed to ensure fire protection for our city. The equipment WILL be kept clean inside and out! Any repairs needed must be listed and turned in to the Mayor’s office! Trash cans must be emptied as needed!

5. Equipment will not be stored on the floor or desk tops.

The second handout dated January 4, 2023, had the following additions:

1. Provide the City Clerk a description of training classes and the location of the classes, the and the prices to get the #2 pumper properly equipped with items needed in order to pass ISO requirements. (Firefighters stated that was provided at the August 1, 2022 meeting and equipment was yet to be purchased)

6. The Chief is required to attend all council meetings to provide the Council with a fire report and to answer questions that may be asked of the fire department. (Chief Burt confirmed that he has attended every meeting with the exception of one while he was in training)

Council member Karen Vest went through each requirement of the handouts.

“This list is the were meetings that fell within the suspension that Burt needed to be at in order to obtain financing for radios that would be part of a county-wide system.

Key stated that he or Mayor Pro Tem Phillips could attend and that Burt did not have to be there.

“By not reinstating him tonight, it could cost the town up to $50,000” stated Busby.

“You can opt out if you want, but it will cost out of pocket when the radio system gets here” stated Burt.

With no agreement met, and Key not appointing a successor, the meeting adjourned with Valley Head not had to stand out in the cold instead of being able to be inside and voice their opinions. I believe a statement was made though with the number of people who did show up in support” stated Burt. “ I would like to thank not only them but also the number of phone calls and messages of support I have received from all the county. The first responder family is real and strong in Dekalb County because it was not just from firefighters but police officers and EMS personnel from all over the state. We are going to continue to hold our heads high and do what is right for the community and again we want to thank them for their support.” name of each firefighter attending. (The following requirements were added to the January 4 handoutInstructor of the class, subject of the class, and a sign-in sheet with the signature of each firefighter attending.

On Tuesday, Valley Head Town Clerk Debra Rhodes submitted her resignation, effective March 22. She has served as the Valley Head Town Clerk for nearly fifteen years.

“I resigning due to health reasons. Seven years ago, I had triple bypass surgery and the stress is too hard to handle for me” stated Rhodes.

2. The Chief is responsible to insure that any and all equipment is documented to show that all equipment has proper maintenance (IE) oil checked, motors in running condition, with proper 100% gasoline and or mix of 100% gasoline and two-cycle oil. This is to prevent moisture and corrosion from collecting in the fuel systems of the equipment.

3. The Chief is to provide the Mayor with a list of any and all problems pertaining to the equipment, trucks, and fire hall,

4. The Chief is responsible for the trucks being kept clean inside and out, free from candy wrappers, drink bottles and trash in general.

5. The Chief is to provide a list to the Mayor of the equipment needed catalyst for all this, right? What else needed to be done so they can get on with this?” stated Vest.

Key remained adamant that the suspension would not be reversed.

Councilmember Busby and Burt stated that there having a fire chief for the remainder of the suspension.

Dustin Burt made the following statement after the meeting:

“We would like to thank the community and the business owners for the show of support and absolutely hate they

After experiencing some discomfort and a racing heartbeat after the special called meeting, Rhodes stated that she felt that God was giving her a sign that it was time to go. I have cheated death once before [referring to her heart attack seven years ago].

“I plan to go home and enjoy what God has given us,” concluded Rhodes.

Southern Torch will continue to update as this story continues to unfold.

Crossville woman arrested on Child Abuse/Aggravated Abuse

and Aggravated Child Abuse (x3).

The arrest stems from an investigation by the said of the incident: “We appreciate everyone that helped with this arrest. Protecting our children will forever be our main focus. Our youth is our future, we have to stand strong in protecting them.”

County Sheriff’s Office along with the Alabama Department of Human Resources on allegations of abuse and neglect, reported in 2021.

“God Bless!” Concluded Sheriff Welden.

2022-2023

County Boys

Luke Smith, Plainview - MVP

Colton Wills, Collinsville

Connor Johnson, Geraldine

Dylan Haymon, Plainview

Eli Butts, Fyffe

Hunter Robinson, Valley Head

Jaxon Colvin, Geraldine

Jonah Williams, Plainview

By Marla Jones Sports Writer marla@southerntorch.com

MONTGOMERY, Ala.--

The Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) released the All-State Basketball Teams on Sunday, March 20. Athletes from DeKalb are as follows:

BOYS

Luke Smith (Plainview)

Hatley, Crossville

Landon White, Plainview

Levi Brown, Plainview

Logan Wilks, Sylvania Lucas Bryant, Geraldine

Redick Smith, Geraldine

Honorable Mention:

Cooper Cox, Fyffe

Eli Carter, Fyffe

Gavin Lang, Collinsville

Griffin Weldon, Ider

Kolby Dupree, Valley Head

Class 3A -First Team

Jonah Williams (Plainview) Class 3AFirst Team

Josh Scott (Sylvania)

Class 3A- Third Team Colton Willis (Collinsville) Class 2A-

Third Team

Luke Stephens ( Fort Payne) Class 6AHonorable Mention

GIRLS:

Tyla Tatum (Collinsville)

Class 2A- Honorable Mention

County Girls

Makinley Traylor, Ider – MVP

Ambriel Stopyak, Sylvania

Anna Murdock, Sylvania

Bella Lewis, Valley Head

Cambree Chapman, Ider

Emma Twilley, Fyffe

Gracie Rowell, Plainview

Kaleigh Butler, Geraldine Kami Sanders, Plainview