CARROLLTON — Downed trees on houses and roads in southern Carroll County left by Sunday’s storms brought out the best in people, Beat 5 Supervisor and board President Rickie Corley said.
During Monday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, Corley thanked those who volunteered their time and equipment to get downed trees off roads in the Vaiden area.
Those Corley thanked included:
• Brothers Tim and Steve Armstrong, owners of Dixie Dairy Sales, who brought heavy equipment from their farm and cleared downed trees.
• Members of the Carrollton-North Carrollton Volunteer Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department and work crews from Carroll-Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility.
• Supervisors from the other beats and their employees.
nGayle Beard, emergency operations director, who was “riding around taking care of business.”
• Area residents who worked throughout the day to clean up damage.
“We have good people in Carroll County that will help you out when you need it,” Corley said.
Dave Eldridge, MedStat’s director of operations, told supervisors about changes at the ambulance company, which has been heavily criticized in recent months for problems while responding to emergencies.
Eldridge said there had been leadership changes, including his new post. He said there will now be 24-hour supervision on Carroll and Montgomery counties. And newly hired paramedics include Eric Sprayberry, Ree Arnold and Kevin “Mac” McKenzie, who are familiar with the area.
In other business:
• Bids were opened on Emergency Watershed Protection Projects’ bank stabilization on roads in the county. Townes Construction of Grenada had the low bid of $177,576 and was awarded the contract.
• County Volunteer Fire Department Coordinator Scott Montgomery told the board he has been discussing upgrades of mobile and hand-held radios with an area business. He said the new digital units would connect all emergency personnel, as well as the supervisors and road crews.
The new units would cost approximately $150,000, which could be paid out of fire rebate money. No decision was made. The board will take up the matter again at its next meeting May 30.
• The board approved raises for emergency operations and jail employees, as well as court reporters.
