COTTONWOOD: Last week RSN reported the Town of Cottonwood had cut the Cottonwood Police Department to a 40-hour work week. These were actions of the Mayor of Cottonwood and not voted on by the City Council members.
Some people question why the police drive the vehicle home when they do not reside in Cottonwood. This past Saturday morning, a little after 6 AM, a motor vehicle accident on Edwin Reynolds Road. Cottonwood Police Chief Tony Money went into service (that is, went on duty) and responded to the motor vehicle accident. THAT is why the police officers drive the vehicles home. People do not make appointments for wrecks, health issues, or to die. So the officers, when called by the 911 office, respond.
On Monday morning, Cottonwood Police Chief Tony Money was on patrol and working the school zone. When I carried my grandson to work, Chief Money was on multiple different traffic stops. WATCH your speed in school zones, and if you do not, watch your rear view mirror for blue lights.
COTTONWOOD RESCUE
On Sunday I visited Cottonwood Rescue. They have been doing a great job: answering their calls, improving the fleet of ambulances and improving the building. When I was over Cottonwood Rescue, we attempted to make some bedroom areas. Since Beau Deathridge has taken over; he remodeled the upstairs making separate bedrooms for the crews. Beau, in the construction work business, knows how to construct and install wiring. They made the old part a nice day room, with a place for washer and dryer. Beau has redesigned the ambulances, and they are looking sharp. Before I left, we had gotten a new ambulance, and it is in service with a new design that is clean and looks good.
Contrary to the comments of Houston County Commission Chairman Brandon Shoupe, who has never asked me a question about Cottonwood Rescue, Cottonwood Rescue has never closed since 2017 when I took it over. There is no money missing. When I took it over it had less than $200. How does Brandon Shoupe think Cottonwood Rescue operated from 2017 until 2021, and beyond, when the $5 tag fee started? Brandon Shoupe doesn’t seem to have a clue. The tag money is not taxpayer money once it hits the EMS units. It is for services rendered. EMS is not a government entity. In fact, when the tornado struck, the Houston County Commission refused to allow EMS to fill up at the county yard when the gas stations had no power. They cared not how EMS go to you to save lives. We had to get a farmer to assist the EMS with fuel so Cottonwood Rescue to respond to attempt to help people.
Beau has the time to effectively manage Cottonwood Rescue, and they are doing a great job. I am proud of them. And I am glad that I was able to get legislation through the Alabama Legislature to help fund all of EMS in the county… something Brandon Shoupe was not able to do in his 8 years as a county commissioner or two years as Chairman. Did he care about lives?
COTTONWOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE – COTTONWOOD SENIOR CITIZENS
Destroyed in the tornado, Cottonwood Volunteer Fire has some of the building up to house some fire fighting equipment. Other buildings are underway.
The Cottonwood Senior Citizens Center is underway. Plans are being done and progress is being made to rebuild the senior center destroyed in the tornado.
Progress is being made in Cottonwood.
