COLUMBIA: In 6 days GOD created the heavens and the earth.
On October 10, 2018, a tornado struck Houston County, Alabama. That tornado did a considerable amount of damage across Houston County and the Wiregrass area.
On October 10, 2017, that tornado destroyed the Columbia Fire – Rescue building. It was no longer inhabitable and useful.
Since that time Columbia has gone through several Mayors and Councilmembers. The local legislative delegation secured funding to assist in constructing a new fire station.
Yet, from 2017 to February 20, 2025, the City of Columbia has yet to build a new fire station. They have a open lean-to in front of a garage that is open air for the fire trucks. Today, at the time this article is written, 10:16 AM, it is 37 degrees. The fire trucks, full of water and ready to save your home or business, are full of water. So I will ask the kindergarten class, it that good for the water in the truck at 37 degrees to be ready to fight a fire? The adults can not figure that out, so I figure some kindergarten students can surely answer that question correctly.
The City used some of the money and purchased the old Dollar Store. The floor is not strong enough to hold fire trucks. However, the building is suitable to fix for the office and living quarters for the fireman — much better digs than the RV trailer the city purchased years ago. Not even a house trailer, but a pull-behind travel trailer.
Now behind the Dollar Store there are an enclosed 50 x 100 pole frame building, six inch concrete floor, garage doors, materials, labor to stand it up, garage doors, and foam installation, totaling around $85,000 for a 5,000 square foot building. This is an estimate.
There is a number cruncher councilman who crunches everything. There is a councilman who was a founding member of Columbia EMS. Great people. But to the number cruncher, CRUNCH! Since 2017 to 2025 you have NOT GOTTEN A FIRE/EMS STATION YET. Not acceptable.
The the founder of EMS who always says we have volunteers, people DO NOT VOLUNTEER. In fact, you are paid to be a council member so you do not even volunteer. Have you gotten your EVOC to allow you to drive the ambulance when needed? NO.
I realize this ball has been kicked down by several mayors and council members. But it is way past time to get this done. It’s been eight years!!!
Either get it done or:
I, __________, hereby resign my position as Mayor/Councilman of Columbia Alabama, effective immediately, because I do not know how to do anything.
SIGNED __________________________________
You are doing a disservice to every man, woman and child who lives in or visits Columbia, Alabama and the time has come, and way past due, to GET IT DONE!!!
So let’s GO! GO! GO! in getting it done or you GO! GO! GO! home.
BTW – do not get mad at the men and women of the department. I came through Columbia recently and saw your lack of doing your jobs and did this article without their knowledge or consent. So be mad at Rickey Stokes. I have broad shoulders and do not care if you are mad at me. What I care about is that you took a oath to care about, the citizens you serve. You have forgotten about them.
