Slocomb City Council Meeting - Possible Cuts To Fire - Rescue AND Controversy Over Tag

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 5504

Posted by: Staff
Date: Sep 25 2017 8:31 PM

SLOCOMB:    The Slocomb City Council met tonight at their regular meeting. The next meeting will be October 10.

While there was a item of controversy I intend to address one item, first,  that I heard discussion of in the budget meeting that concerns me.

The Slocomb Mayor is Rob Hinson. The Council Members are Travis garrett, Joe Myles, Tony Davis, Henley Hicks and Tim Hatcher.

On October 10 the Slocomb Council will approve the 2017 - 2018 operating budget. There was some discussion in the pre-meeting of cutting the Slocomb Fire - Rescue by 20% of the current funding. Why? Because the Fire Chief's have been good stewards of the money and have rescue operating where some money is coming in. They have been able to secure some grant funding which has helped them move the Slocomb Fire - Rescue forward.

When Slocomb was hit with a tornado I witnessed the Slocomb Fire - Rescue take command and operate an efficient operation. One the citizens of Slocomb and Geneva County can be proud of. The Slocomb Fire - Rescue took charge and cared for the citizens.

Contact your Mayor and Council Members and express your concern and urge them to level fund the Slocomb Fire - Rescue. Remember, fires and medical emergencies are not immune to anyone, anytime, anywhere. And your Slocomb Fire - Rescue Chiefs and volunteers have managed that department to be an example to others of proper management.

NOW TO THE CONTROVERSY THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE CONTROVERSY

Sometimes good intentions backfire. And it seems that a Slocomb Councilman's intentions backfired on him.

Slocomb Councilman Joe Myles had someone mention that an employee of the grocery store has a Confederate Tag on the front of his personal car and it is parked in front of the business everyday.

As Councilman Myles described to me and in the meeting, he mentioned it to the store manager. Councilman Myles said he did not know who the vehicle belonged to but mentioned to the manager with all of the media attention the Confederate Flag has gotten he might want to think about it.

Councilman Myles told me he was well aware that it was the employee's car, it was a private business, and he was not attempting to intefere or personally complain. He was just passing onto the business what someone had mentioned to him. Councilman Myles said that he was not personally offended by it and did not bother him personally.

The owner of the vehicle was offended by the Councilman contacting his employer. That he paid the payments on his car and for over 30 years the tag has been on every car he owns. The car owner, Kenny, known as the "meat man" said he helps everyone, regardless of race, color or creed. But he has displayed the tag for over 30 years and will continue to. That it is not meant to offend anyone at all, just his preference to have the tag on his vehicle.

The "meat man" said he wants to emphasize to everyone that he likes everyone, no matter who they are.

In the end the "meat man" and the Councilman spoke and talked about it. So what was appearing to be an issue was discussed and ended up being somewhat of mis-communications on intentions.

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