Bailey named Fire Chief; Landing overrun covered

Mayor Woody Collins made a surprise announcement Thursday when, at the end of the Demopolis City Council meeting, he recommended Cpt. Jeb Bailey to become the permanent chief of the Demopolis Fire Department.

Bailey, a firefighter for 23 years, has been serving as interim chief. His selection received unanimous approval from the Council and enthusiastic applause from the audience.

Collins expressed delight that the City Landing is open for boaters. However, there was a misunderstanding over who was to pave the adjacent road. When the dust settled, the city found it was responsible for the project.

Since the paving contractors were on site already, permission was given to pave the street at a cost of $44,000. The Council approved the budget adjustment at the meeting.

Collins said the City Landing project will be completed when lighting and a new pavilion are installed on the site.

At the last meeting the Public Safety Committee and city department heads were tasked with determining how to enforce ordinances pertaining to overgrown and unkempt property. City attorney Scott Stapp said the recommendation came back not to change the ordinances but to enforce them more rigorously.

Stapp said the Police Department and Public Works will work together “to push harder to do things faster” as they cite the property owners for violations.

The pavilion in the Public Square is its central fixture, but the structure is deteriorating. The Finance and Building committees recommended repairing it. The Council approved a quote from SUMMCO for the work at a cost of $14,877.

Periodically the state makes a cost-of-living adjustment to salaries. To keep up with the state, the Council approved a bonus for retirees of $25,678.

The VFW annually awards special recognition to Policeman and Firefighter of the Year. Honored Thursday were Officer Rodriquez Jones and firefighter Bo Hansford, who has since become employed with the City of Tuscaloosa.

In other business, the Council:

• Gave permission for an entertainment district for Freedom on the River Monday, July 4 at the request of Demopolis Area Chamber of Commerce director David Lyons.
• Granted an entertainment district for the downtown area on Tuesday, June 28. On that date the Main Street Alabama state committee formally will announce Demopolis’ inclusion in the revitalization project. Members of the committee will make a walking tour of the area.
• Approved Demopolis City Schools Supt. Tony Willis’ request to use a portion of the former New Era building to house the DCS maintenance department. It is now housed at DHS, taking up three classrooms. Once vacated the “shop” class can return to those classrooms.
• Approved a streetlight on North Ash previously paid for privately at a cost of $8 per month.