GCFD looking to install 3,000 free smoke alarms
GCFD looking to install 3K free smoke alarms
County Commission in brief
By Logan Watson
Gibson County Fire Chief Bryan Cathey informed the County Commission last Tuesday morning that his department is working toward its goal of installing 3,000 smoke alarms before the end of the year.
“If anybody knows friends, relatives, neighbors, church groups that needs smoke alarms, they are free,” Chief Cathey said. “We hang them for free. Please contact us.”
Chief Cathey stressed the importance of having working smoke alarms during the holidays and the winter due to the increased use of space heaters.
Anyone that would like a new smoke alarm can contact Chief Cathey at 723-9228.
Chief Cathey also informed the Commission of its intent to apply for the 2C Volunteer Firefighter Grant and the yearly Assistance for Firefighters Grant.
Several firefighters were able to repurpose old equipment into a working brush truck with a foam unity, saving the county roughly $20,000.
According to Chief Cathey, the department’s recruitment and retention efforts have been very successful, adding that he would like to begin a Junior Firefighter Program mirroring the popular program begun by Jessica Rudd at the Rutherford Fire Department.
“It is going very, very well,” Chief Cathey said. “Beyond anybody’s wildest imagination. We’re getting a bunch of younger firefighters into the service. Her first graduate went from graduating to working full-time at a city fire department in Gibson County in two weeks. That’s how well that program is going.”
The GCFD Junior Firefighter Program will begin on January 2, offering training to teens in the center of the county. Rudd has agreed to help lead the implementation of the program.
Chief Cathey reported 146 calls for the month of September and 155 for October, averaging roughly 150 each month for the year, and requested that the county remove the 2,000-hour retirement cap for the GCFD. The Commission recently removed a similar cap for the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office and EMS.
Also, after close to a year of waiting, Davies Claims Solutions has finally approved a $344,594.38 insurance reimbursement for GCFD Station 9 in Rutherford, which was destroyed by a tornado in December 2023. The county intends to use those funds, along with potential grant monies, to combine Station 9 and Gibson County EMS Ambulance 4.
Reports
Industrial Development Director Kingsley Brock informed that Commissioners that his department is currently working toward securing five grants and has its eyes set on a potential sixth grant to help bring more jobs to Gibson County. Brock stated that several studies are being conducted on the 300-acre area along Highway 45 that Milan Mayor B.W. Beasley is attempting to purchase from the Army. The Industrial Board was in the process of applying for a $2.4M grant to renovate the former Silgan building in Trenton, but that project has been put on hold until site studies can be done on the area to identify and rectify environmental issues.
The Industrial Board is also working on Brownfield Grants to investigate an area near the Trenton Special School District’s Central Office for potential gas tanks left underground after the demolition of an old gas station and potential grants to renovate Gibson County Memorial Library.
Brock stated that he is also working with the Milan, Humboldt and Greater Gibson County Chambers of Commerce on a Workforce Grant, and has signed a deal with a large retailer in Humboldt that could create as many as 18 jobs and bring in up to $75,000 in sales tax revenues per year for the county.
“Hopefully this will be the anchor project that gets us in line for future projects,” Brock said. “There’s always a kind of ‘You go first’ mentality. I’m really optimistic that this will give us some traction for further development at that park.”
Brock also reported two industrial projects that have developed over the last month, noting that there is a fair chance that Gibson County could land one or both. Brock could not share many details, but did say that the job count would be close to 100.
Gibson County EMS Director Dan Fowlkes reported that his department is currently operating at a net loss of $67,770. Fowlkes informed that the GibCo EMS Board voted to increase the vacation time of all full-time employees by two hours per month and allow banking holidays into vacation. The EMS Board also voted to add a new full-time position.
Commissioner Patterson Freeman delivered the Highway Report, noting that the Highway Department has finished clearing and building Elam Road
Resolutions
The Gibson County Fair Board received a $25,000 donation from the Patricia C. Zarecor Endowment and the Trenton Healthcare Foundation for the purchase of portable restrooms for the Fairgrounds.
A donation of $12,758.45 was made to the Gibson County Highway Department, earmarked for the paving of 0.4 miles of Mt. Olive Road, beginning at Mt. Olive Cutoff.
The Commission voted to amend the zoning of property located near 812 Alamo Highway from B1 (Local Business) to B2 (General Commercial). Jacob Stokes informed the Board that he plans on using the property to open a used car lot.
The Commission approved a resolution petitioning the U.S. Postal Service to return local mail processing to Jackson. Several local cities have passed similar resolutions this year in response to unreliable service. Mail processing was moved to Memphis in 2012.
Budget accounts were established for the revenues and expenditures of an $87,543.11 Emergency Management Performance Grant. The budget lines are classified for “Civil Defense.”
The Commission voted to establish a 30-mph speed limit for the full length of Davis Grove Road, located outside of Bradford.
The Gibson County Sheriff’s Office received a $12,000 grant from the Tennessee Law Enforcement Hiring, Training and Recruitment Program that will go toward salary supplements. The Commission approved the budget amendment.
Commissioners voted to surplus an inoperable 1996 Chevy Blazer belonging to the Gibson County Fire Department, as well as two Logitech keyboards and two mice belonging to the Veteran’s Service Office. Multiple assets from the Gibson County Highway Department were also surplussed, including a John Deere tractor, grader and flex wing cutter, two 2007 Ford F150 trucks, an upright dirt tamp and a 2001 International DT 4900. A late-file resolution surplussing additional office equipment and other items from the Gibson County Mayor’s Office, the Gibson County EMA Department, and the Veteran’s Service Office.
The Commission also approved a resolution to allow the Gibson County Circuit Court to purchase new phones.
Accounts for the Gibson County Airport were adjusted to reflect an $80,000 grant from the state earmarked for maintenance equipment. The matching grant cost the county $20,000.
A resolution to return $84,982.64 in unused grant funds to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security. The funds were intended to be used to fund School Resource Officer positions. Gibson County was able to utilize $665,017.36 of the $750,000 grant.
Appointments
Marvin Sikes and Greg Pillow were reappointed to the Gibson County Board of Zoning and Appeals until September 2027.
Michael Longmire, Dorothy Wright, Erby Knott and Bradley Arnold were reappointed to the Gibson County Planning Board until July 2028.
Tina Miller and Zach Marbrey were appointed to the Gibson County Library Board. Miller will replace Dr. Beverley Youree and Marbrey will replace Cynthia Slates. Their terms will expire in June 2025. Sandy Moss and Sam Doaks were chosen as alternates.
Steve Hemann was appointed to the Gibson County Airport Board to replace Wayne Morris. Hemann’s term will expire in May 2027.
Comment
Commissioner Mark Flake congratulated the State Champion Peabody Band of Gold, State Runner-Up Gibson County Marching Pioneers, the South Gibson County Marching Band and the Milan Marching Band on the completion of a successful competition season. Veterans in attendance at the meeting were also recognized.
